Escape with Designer Vania Romoff

What does Vania Romoff’s ideal escape look like? Hint: it’s flirty and a little bit wild (just like her SS19 collection)

While the designer remains tight-lipped about her upcoming collaborations, it’s no secret that Vania Romoff is one of the most sought-after Filipino designers out there, which also makes her one of the busiest.

Above Vania Romoff at her Legaspi Village atelier

Celebrated for her soft and whimsical approach to bridal fashion and custom evening wear, Romoff’s eponymous RTW label for both women and little ladies immediately took off. Consistently and officially, since 2009, Romoff has churned out two collections every year. On the tail end of 2017, she married longtime love, Steven Fügliste, and ever since she opened her first boutique a year ago, she’s unfailingly put out three to four RTW collections a year.

In between concurrent endeavours, one of them being her recently launched SS19 collection, Romoff hits pause for a few moments to work on another project: our tenacious questioning. In this exclusive, we find out the thought process behind this cohesive and absolutely wearable collection (the dire need for a vacation it turns out!) as well as what makes this creative mind tick.

What’s the absolute most favourite collection of yours and why?

Definitely last season. I did my first gala comprising 60 gowns. It was exhausting but so fulfilling.

You chose the theme “Escapism” for your Safari-esque SS19 collection. Tell us about that.

I think this collection came about because I was unconsciously in need of an actual vacation. I imagined this season’s muse to have a strong sense of wanderlust. We put together a mood board that reflected that sense of escapism. A woman going about her usual life in the city but her wardrobe reflected a sense of wildness. Functional dresses in animal prints, classic silhouettes in vibrant brocades. Matching scarves were made in automatic silk prints that went with the entire collection.

Above VR SS19 Moodboard

What are forms of escapism that you enjoy these days?

An occasional cocktail or two after work. A good book or a great Netflix series.

Whose closet do you most want to raid and why?

Lauren Santo Domingo. Her style is flawless.

What’s the biggest lesson learned having been in the fashion industry for 10 years?

Consistency and reinvention. Constantly growing and yet remaining true to your brand and core.

The one fashion trend you want to see come back?

For the fun of it, [anything from] the twenties! I think there is something so elegant and glamorous about that era.

…And the one recurring trend you never ever want to see come back?

I don’t love Spandex and not so much a fan of bandage dresses either. Haha!

10 things you’ll always have in your wardrobe?

A great pair of jeans, a shirt dress, polka dots, a denim jacket, white sneakers, a crisp cotton shirt, a wrap dress, my wedding ring, my aviators and my grandmother's Chanel bag.

5 things you cannot live without?

My phone, my water bottle, my pin cushion bangle, my skincare products (can that count as one? Haha!). Also, perfume.

Above VR SS19 Moodboard

What's one thing no one knows about you?

I’m a Potter head (love Harry Potter), I love old school hip hop and I don't eat burgers.

If you could dress anyone in the world, who would it be?

Right now? Elle Fanning. Or [Duchess of Cambridge] Kate Middleton?

What is a Vania Romoff-ism?

Live life with passion and romance.

What's next for Vania Romoff?

Another baby? Haha! Expanding the company and reaching an international audience.

To know more about Vania and her latest collection, visit: vaniaromoff.ph.

Topics

Vania Romoff

Tatler Asia