DON'T MISS A THING

When it comes to ‘the human touch’ in the world of fashion, the ultimate luxury is haute couture. An art perfectly fit for our cover. So glance back and indulge in the soft, fringed plumes, intricate beading, and embroidered details. The way the gown beautifully accentuates the model’s female form. Now meet the man who stitched each stunning detail by hand, master couturier João Rôlo.

AN ARTIST IS BORN

As a child, João Rôlo wanted to be an interior designer, but instead, he made his way to fashion, where today, with decades of career success, he is a renowned couturier in his home country of Portugal, and around the world.

João began his studies in interiors at Escola de Artes Decorativas António Arroio in Lisbon. During his second year, he took a course in textile engineering, where he discovered a passion for fabrics and fashion. Shortly thereafter, he decided to start his own brand.

In 1985 João Rôlo opened his first store and immediately found great success. The media took notice. As did the most important TV show stars in Portugal, with whom he quickly became the fashion designer of choice.

During the 1980s, João worked on creating ready-to-wear collections, but his dream was to be in haute couture. To make true catwalk collections. So he stopped selling what he had in stock in the store and started to make bespoke dresses, individualized creations for each client. This was the moment when João Rôlo’s exclusive client list began. And he decided to close his store to focus his brand entirely on couture. And in particular on his love for creating elegant evening gowns and glamorous attire for special occasions.

THE JOÃO RÔLO STYLE

João Rôlo’s contact with haute couture in Paris during the 80s profoundly influenced his career. He traveled to Paris often, where he absorbed the shop windows from Avenue Montagne, home to the most important fashion designers’ ateliers. Influenced by the baroque touches and sculptural flavor of Christian Lacroix and the chic elegance of Valentino, it was in Paris that João’s personal style began to take shape.

João’s mother was a dressmaker, and these classical roots make him a great artist. But it is the contemporary twist he puts on his designs that makes his creations truly one-of-a-kind works of art. Best described as classic modern—mixing sexiness, romanticism, and avant-garde, it is the combination of these styles that makes João’s pieces so unique.

Inspired by feminine curves, Joao Rolo’s creations beautifully showcase legs and hips. He can give a woman cleavage without being vulgar, or common, ever. For João, sheer elements always have a chic and classic touch.

It is in these singular qualities and his ability to study the profile of his customer, not only physical but also psychological, which his success is rooted.

FROM NOW TO THE FUTURE

João Rôlo’s gowns have been worn by celebrities such as singer Nicole Scherzinger, Amanda Holden from Britain’s Got Talent, and Victoria Swarovski, heir to the Swarovski empire. And they have graced the most famous Red Carpets, including the Festival de Cannes, the Venice Film Festival, and The Oscars.

Today, João is dedicated to his work, handcrafting each of his creations from beginning to end with only foundation support from his seamstresses, from his ateliers in Lisbon and Marbella, Spain. He hopes to join the elite Chambres Syndicales de la mode et la couture but leaves the future of his career in the hands of the universe. And only dreams that the João Rôlo brand name continues to gain international recognition for its quality and style, as this is what truly moves him.

Words by Inês Romba
Photos Courtesy of João Rôlo
Article Originally Appeared in Love Happens Volume 5
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