Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez held a triple celebration recently: her birthday, her seven successful years so far in the fashion industry and her new label of bespoke designs, ORO.

 

She held the celebration in the upscale Vask, where a photo exhibit featured 12 of the country’s “most beautiful women”: Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Bianca Araneta-Elizalde, Cristina Cu, Jackie Cohen-Antonio, Jessica Kienle, Joey Mead-King, Juana Manahan-Yupangco, Marielle Santos-Po, Katrina Lobregat, Stephanie Kienle-Gonzales, Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi and Xandra Rocha-Araneta. They were photographed by Sara Black and styled by Bea Constantino. Toni & Guy styled each muse.

 

Actor JM Rodriguez hosted the celebration.

 

Après the show, orders for Rosanna’s one-of-a-kind designs came in faster than you could bat an eyelash and got the cash registers ringing.

 

Her proud husband, handsome Marco Rodriguez, beamed proudly. He was with his mother, Malou Puyat Rodriguez, and Rosanna’s mom, Milette Ocampo.

 

Among the beautiful VIP crowd were Leo Po, Jacques Dupasquier, Cat Antonio, Trish Panlilio, Lexi Schulze Berenguer-Testa, and Princess Violago.

 

ORO by Rosanna Ocampo is available at Atelier Rosanna Ocampo, 312 Lirio St., Palm Village, Makati. Contact ARC Public Relations Inc. at [email protected] or visit www.arcarpopr.

com.

 

Leica

 

Leica camera fanatics flocked to the launching recently of the very first Leica store in the country, at posh Greenbelt 5 mall.

 

Leica has been brought to the Philippines by Emerson Yao, managing director of the Lucerne Group, Leica’s local partner.

 

Yao said the initial buzz about the Leica launch spread like wildfire among photography hobbyists and enthusiasts “that we were no longer able to keep count of the confirmations of attendance to the event.”

 

Leica Club members headed by Ambassador Joey Antonio, chair and CEO of Century Properties, flocked to the launch. Famous photographers also went to the gig, such as George Tapan, Gunther Deichmann, Lito Sy and Raymond Isaac.

 

National Artist Arturo Luz proudly showed his first Leica.

 

“This is one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen for a store opening,” said Alfred Schopf, CEO of Leica Camera AG.

 

“Seeing the crowd right now, we should have [opened] two years ago!” he added, laughing.

 

This year has seen many milestones and the launch of the first ever Leica store in the Philippines is one of them, commented Sunil Kaul, managing director of Leica Camera Asia Pacific.

 

“I have witnessed an increase in demand from Filipinos who purchase our cameras, sport optics and accessories in our Leica boutiques in Asia. We believe Lucerne can capitalize on that market opportunity in the Philippines,” Sunil said.

 

The Leica flagship is a lifestyle destination in itself, palangga, offering customers the chance to discover the art of photography with its mini art gallery of photos shot with a Leica.

 

Schopf said it all: “It’s all about the customer experience… We try to be the best in class. Not the cheapest, but the best.”

 

Dusit Thani Christmas tree

 

Dusit Thani Manila held the traditional lighting of its Christmas tree recently, dahlings. Hotel GM Alex Willats led the ceremony with Evelyn Singson, vice chairperson and president of Philippine Hoteliers Inc.

 

“It was a pleasure to see the eyes of our guests light up with excitement whenever we hold our yearly Christmas tree lighting tradition,” said Willats.

 

Hosted by gorgeous Issa Litton, the ceremonial lighting featured acclaimed singer-composer José Mari Chan, who serenaded the invitees which included reigning beauty queens. The highlight, palangga, was when Dusit Thani Manila presented the “Gift of Smile” check to Operation Smile, an organization that provides free reconstructive facial surgeries for children.

 

“We at Dusit Thani Manila live for moments when we could help those who are in need. By holding the “Gary V. Smiles for You Concert,” we are able to reach out and make children smile this Christmas,” Willats said.