There’s a quiet confidence in the way Marie Rodeo speaks like someone who has learned to listen to her heart louder than following the trends of the world. Today, she’s the creative force behind Marie Rodeo Atelier, an emerging fashion house known for its elegant, bespoke gowns and personalized client approach. But her journey to fashion wasn’t linear. It was paved with courtroom dreams, corporate titles, and a childhood fascination with fabric that never quite let her go.

“I got interested in fashion when I was six years old,” Marie recalls with a soft smile. “I already had an idea what a beautiful dress looked like then. I loved dressing up since.” That early spark didn’t fade with age. Instead, it quietly stitched itself into every chapter of her life, waiting for the right moment to become the main thread.

Before fashion, Marie chased a different dream, law. “I really wanted to be a lawyer,” she shares. It wasn’t a passing desire. She went to law school, driven by a sense of discipline and ambition. Afterward, she transitioned into the corporate world, climbing her way up to a managerial role in a pharmaceutical company. “I was in the corporate industry for eight years,” she says. “But my love and addiction to fashion never went away.”

Finally, that love for fashion finally took center stage. Marie enrolled in fashion design school, an experience she describes not just as educational, but transformative. “That’s when I began building and growing my name in the fashion industry,” she explains. With each sketch, each stitch, she realized she wasn’t just learning to design; she was remembering who she was all along.

Fast forward to today, and Marie Rodeo Atelier isn’t just a brand, it’s a bold declaration. “Now, I have my dream business address and a working lab I call Marie Rodeo Atelier,” she says with pride. “It’s a space where creativity, precision, and passion meet.”

Despite being a relative newcomer in the fashion scene, Marie’s work has already caught the eye of critics and clients alike. She’s received several awards, but one holds a particularly special place in her heart. “The Most Promising Fashion Designer Award meant a lot to me,” she says. “It wasn’t easy when I was just starting in this industry, but I was so grateful to be given recognition in an unexpected manner.”

Marie’s journey isn’t just defined by awards or accolades; it’s rooted in relationships. When asked how she maintains a healthy bond with her clients, her answer is refreshingly grounded. “Be professional,” she emphasizes. “Whatever both parties have agreed upon must be followed or implemented. If there are changes especially if it’s going to make the design more beautiful and fitting to the client’s taste both parties must still agree. That’s how you avoid problems.”

It’s this blend of artistry and professionalism that makes her stand out. She sees design not just as a canvas for creativity, but as a conversation between designer and client, vision and reality, fabric and form. But she’s not stopping here.

“As a fashion designer, sharpening the pencils is not the only thing important,” Marie explains. “It’s also about upgrading your skills to make it big in this industry.” Her eyes are set on bigger stages such as New York and London, to be exact. “It’s my goal to be part of those big fashion events someday.”

Marie doesn’t just dream, she plans. And she’s aware of the evolving nature of fashion, treating it less like a fleeting trend and more like an evolving art form. “You have to adapt to the changing needs of time,” she says. Whether it’s mastering a new silhouette or understanding how social media shapes modern bridalwear, Marie approaches fashion with a learner’s heart.

For aspiring designers, her advice is heartfelt and rooted in experience: “Just continue your dreams. Soon enough, you will become what you’ve always wanted to be.” And for soon-to-be brides? Marie’s message is both practical and poetic: “Have a clear vision of what you want when preparing your dream wedding gown and your entourage. The wedding motif is very important too, it gives direction to everything from the preparation to the big day itself.”

Whether she’s designing a custom gown or mentoring a hopeful student, Marie Rodeo carries the essence of someone who has dared to leap from logic to love, from law books to lace.

She’s proof that sometimes, what you loved at six years old is more than just a childhood fantasy. It’s a calling. One that, when followed with grace and grit, can turn a little girl’s dress-up dreams into a runway-worthy reality.

For bookings/made-to-measure bridal gowns and formal wear, visit MARIE RODEO ATELIER at 32D Tower 3 San Lorenzo Place, Chino Roces Avenue corner Edsa, Makati City. You may also contact 09695246231 / angerie75@gmail.com or follow @marierodeoatelier and @angerie.ph on Instagram.