Today we’d like to introduce you to Rocio Doyle.
Rocio, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I was always fascinated with the visual aspect to any store, from mannequins to racks. As a little girl I would inquire about everything from acrylic nails, perms, highlighted /colored hair to fabric and features. I was drawn to any opportunity to enhance the look of an individual and highlight their best features. Friends and family would joke that they couldn’t shop with me because I would never tire from looking at each piece of clothing in stores. At the end of my sophomore year of high school, I caught word of a fellow peer soon to be graduating talk about a local Fashion Design Program. I soon after looked into the program and realized I qualified, I was eager and excited to apply to the Technical Academy. Creativity through fashion & design had always been a strong interest of mine so I applied and interviewed for the high school program that was college accredited and was accepted. I was ecstatic to begin working at something where I was free to be creative.
The first year of the program I was learning the history and background of design and fashion. In addition I practiced the design process by using patterns, buying fabric and then cutting and sewing the garments together. The second year of the program was creating our own individual collections. Throughout the programs I knew I really enjoyed different aspects of the design process, but was unsure in which direction to fully focus on within the fashion realm. At the same time, my parents who both believed strongly in education, encouraged me to move forward with a four-year education. This left me in a position of feeling stuck, not knowing where to go within the creative realm. I eventually ended up with a bachelor of science in Psychology, which allowed me to study people, their decision making, and ultimately what invokes them to be who they are.
After graduating college, I was convinced I should continue my education with earning my master’s program. Sitting in the classroom as I was registering for classes I realized nothing in me felt passion or excited to move forward. I decided to do philanthropic work to sort out where my passions and heart were leading me. I traveled to 17 countries in 11 months with only a backpack. One of the toughest things in this experience was realizing how I looked was not dependent on who I was or my identity as a person. I came back from the philanthropic work changed because of all that the people and places I had seen. I set out inspired to live from my heart no matter the outcome. This brought me back to fashion. I began knocking on doors and ended up working at a local store doing visual merchandising and photo shoot styling. This absolutely energized me and I loved it, which led to 5+ years working consistently within visual merchandising. I worked hard to attain management positions within visual merchandising and overseeing store openings educating the entire new staff with corporate standards.
I simultaneously was the Head Stylist of a Charity Fashion Show, while working full time within visual merchandising. Through this venture I raised thousands of dollars to support the cause, oversaw other fashion enthusiasts and was able to tie my love for creativity and making an impact within the community together. There was a film production company I was the wardrobe stylist and stylist for each shoot and film. Both of these experiences encouraged me to stay curious and motivated to push ahead with my career in fashion. I began to apply for opportunities in Los Angeles as I began to realize my talents would be more challenged in a city of endless possibility and creativity. l. After countless interviews and attempts to move to Los Angeles, I officially moved in January 2014. Within months I began working with a woman who solely styled professional athletes. After a year and a half, I was recruited by the brand ZARA to oversee women’s visual merchandising in the Los Angeles area. During the job transition I had numerous male clients contact me about styling and clothing for the season. Within a year and a half, I was styling for a wedding, the NBA draft, and a season wardrobe while thriving at my visual career in corporate. However, with that being said, I decided I would never have an absolute guarantee in starting my own styling business unless I tried. I took a leap of faith in 2016 and began Lucia Rocio, a Men’s Styling & Custom Clothing business. I like to think of the team as image consultants! With anything I do, I begin with the end in mind, and the same is true with appearance. How do you want people to think of you? What do you want your appearance to communicate? These questions help focus in what you should be paying attention to when shopping, having your hair cut etc. Our image speaks loudly whether we like it or not. In today’s visual age, it’s wise to ensure what is being said and seen are cohesive.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have easily had rough days, that’s for sure. Today with Instagram, Snapchat and our instant access to media, the world of fashion, just like any other industry, presents with many unrealistic expectations. But at the same time, following my passions and heart has been exciting and made me feel alive. There are days where the process of day in and day out tireless work can actually feel quite the opposite. The past 2 years of owning a business has taught me the importance on better communication skills, the key to asking the right questions, being more business savvy as a woman, and being content with the process of living out dreams.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lucia Rocio story. Tell us more about the business.
Lucia Rocio is a men’s styling business. We specialize in men who are 6’3 and taller and with a waist size of 36-50++. We believe males with i any waist size and length should be able to look good and feel comfortable while doing it. The two should be together. We style clients for events, we shop for clients with shoe sizes from 13 to 19, we create individual custom pieces for clients with long arms and unique physiques. One thing I personally love is making looking good easier for clients. Our customer service and creativity set us apart. Each meeting is centered on the need of each client and what we can do to best surpass this.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Within the big & tall fashion industry I think there will be more fashionable sizing options. There has been so much evolvement within the men’s fashion industry recently and there will be even more for men with unique sizing.
Contact Info:
- Address: Los Angeles area
- Website: www.luciarocio.com
- Phone: 5156644910
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @luciarociostyle
- Facebook: LuciaRocioStyle
Image Credit:
More Than Stats
Jennifer Sosa
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