MANILA, Philippines - It’s hard to say whether or not Rosanna Aranaz really belongs anywhere. A closer inspection would confirm that yes, she perfectly fits the bill of this generation’s slashie movement — retailer, brand ambassador, and fashion blogger — but something would just not add up. In the grander scheme that is the Internet, the 23-year-old claims that despite being on it 24/7, it’s a “dangerous and scary place.” Where a digital trophy cabinet is supposed to be, there is only an inventory of publications (everything from local teen mag Chalk to international fashion mag Elle Espana) that she, Hannah (co-founder of LittleMissDressUp), and their blog have been featured in, and which basically resembles a grocery list. Maybe, she’s self-assured enough to not give a crap and give in to the flattery. Maybe that’s why unlike most people, she shares a fashion blog, not exercising the same domain monopoly that most do. Or maybe, as she says, she’s “somewhat anti-social and perfectly content with living a life through virtual social interaction.”
Stranger than popular fiction is Rosanna, because the girl just never seems to be where she’s expected to be. She’ll be the one to point that out too, as she answers our question with another one, but this time, directed to herself: “What am I doing here?”
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LittleMissDressUp has been up and running for 2 years. We relaunched LMDU back in 2009 when Hanna and I realized that, yeah, fashion blogging can get you places.
I’m a geek at heart, so I would have to say I draw outfit inspirations from the Internet. I’m on it 24/7 and I love how with just a click of the mouse, I’m exposed to a world full of endless ideas and possibilities.
I’m doing a traveling fashion blogger challenge that will be documented on a separate blog. So I’m pretty excited about that! Also, I’m currently setting up a little clothing boutique which I hope to open by the time I get back from my trip in Europe.
Honestly, I hate being the center of attention, so it’s pretty ironic that I have a fashion blog that’s pretty much all about me. But in my defense, my mom is my ‘official’ photographer and since she’s like my #1 fan, it’s not awkward at all (laughs).
My style philosophy in one sentence would be: don’t think too much.
I may come off as a snob for not attending all of these [events], but I’m pretty shy and I sometimes feel out of place and awkward in these things (laughs).
I don’t like using my blog as a ticket to get into an event or use an event as an excuse just to have something to blog about.
I don’t see the importance of showcasing my somewhat imagined one minute of ‘fame’ (laughs). While I’m genuinely honored and flattered by them, I don’t want to be defined just by the labels that the [fashion] industry would give me.
I love Olivia Palermo, MK&A [Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen]…Taylor Tomasi, Givonna Battaglia and Miroslava Duma. Bloggers Hanneli Mustaparta, Leandra Medine and Karla Deras.
If I could sum up what I think of the local fashion scene today in one word, it would be “inspired.” It’s an exciting time for local fashion scene because of all the new blood thats being injected into the industry. There are so much individuals who are living on being creative, everyone (and it’s a good thing!) seems to be a blogger, a stylist, a photographer, an artist or a designer somehow.
Don’t take fashion too seriously.