Rocio Olbes is a 24-year-old bag designer and the kind of girl-about-town who can rock a baggy tee stolen from her brother’s closet, pair them with jeans and four-inch heels and make everyone else in the room feel frumpy. She takes our local acacia wood to the pages of international glossies like Vogue UK and the shelves of Euro-priced high-end stores in the form of exquisite handcrafted clutches, minaudieres and evening purses — veritable jewel boxes for your nighttime essentials. We asked the pixie-faced jetsetter what her favorite destinations are and what she just can’t leave home without.
Rocio: I don’t really have one favorite destination. I have been blessed and have traveled the world for both work and pleasure, and I pretty much find something to love about almost every place I have been to. But if I really had to choose, I would have to say my top places in the world are:
1) London. I looovvveeee this city. I am always in London for work, and everytime I am there I just feel so alive. It has this vibe about it.
2) Las Vegas. I have a soft spot for Vegas because my family keeps a house there and I would spend a lot of time in Vegas when my brother was in university there. I know people can have this “idea” about Vegas — it’s easy to stereotype, but trust me,it is an amazing place. When you are with the right people and go to the right places, it is simply the best!
3) Rome. My boyfriend is from Rome so I visit a lot when I am in Europe working. I am in love with this city — the history, the food, the vibe, everything about it. I also get to experience Rome not as a tourist but as a local which I feel is always the best way to fully appreciate a place.
5) Paris. I have a special love for Paris. I work there a lot and every time I am in the city I feel so inspired. I think anyone who is involved in the world of fashion or anything artsy and creative will feel so much for this city.
6) Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina is a town and municipality in the southern Alps in northern Italy. It is world famous for being a top ski resort and winter destination. It is simply beautiful. My boyfriend’s family keeps a chalet in Cortina so we went skiing there this last Febuary. There is so much to do there, from shopping, to nightlife, and all the sports, not to mention that the natural scenery is beyond breathtaking.
Those are my favorite destinations right now, but the truth is, for me, there is simply no place like home!
Rocio’s top 10 travel essentials:
1) Cell phone
I always stay constantly in touch with my mother. Hahaha!
2) iPod
I cannot go anywhere without my iPod! This is a must!
3) Lipbalm
I always bring a really good lipbalm when I travel. I keep it in my handbag at all times.
4) Moisturizer
I always invest in a really good moisturizer before I leave. This is very important.
5) Camera
I love taking photos when I travel. It lets me document my memories and experiences, and you really get to enjoy them when you come home.
6) Little black dress
You have to bring at least one killer little black dress. You just never know what might come up!
7) The right pair of shoes
Depending on the season but I usually pack a few pairs of shoes — a pair for walking and at least one or two sets of killer heels for evening.
8) The right handbag
I usually bring two handbags: a great tote for the day where I can just throw so much in and, of course, a Rocio clutch for the evening.
9) A fantastic pair of jeans
This is a must. A great set of jeans paired with a crisp white shirt is always the perfect outfit.
10) And lastly always bring an open mind.
When traveling, this is the most vital essential of them all.