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| Rosenda Casaje wears an Emanuel Ungaro dress and bag with jewelry by Lydia Courteille. |
Visionary brand owner and CEO of Gorgeous Glow Philippines, Rosenda Casaje uses her brand to inspire Filipinos to look and feel their best. Through her self-made e-commerce venture, she has established a thriving beauty and wellness empire.
Casaje is also a notable content creator with almost 5 million followers across various social media platforms. Using her influence, she promotes self-love and spreads inspiration through empowering online content.
Rosenda speaks about her career and being an attendee at the Cannes Film Festival, Paris Fashion Week and esteemed events worldwide.
Fashion Editor & Stylist: Victor Concepto
Photographer: Madhu Sundar
Hair & Makeup Artist: Katharina Arkhipova (Team Lena Lena Yasenkova)
Location: Paris, France
AM: Rosenda, tell us more about yourself
RC: I am the CEO of Gorgeous Glow Philippines; I have a degree in Nursing from La Consolacion University and I am a doting wife and a mother of two. Besides my entrepreneurial endeavors in the beauty and wellness industry, I’ve also participated in beauty pageants and won the title of Mrs. Global Universe Philippines. Throughout my career I gained a strong social media influence where I share content to inspire Filipinos to look and feel their best.
AM: Tell us more about your brand Gorgeous Glow and some of your proud achievements…
RC: I am incredibly proud of Gorgeous Glow. When I started the brand, I held onto a strong belief that it would grow and resonate with many people. Through hard work, persistence, sacrifice, and determination, Gorgeous Glow has flourished into a promising brand cherished by Filipinos worldwide. Our mission at Gorgeous Glow is to inspire confidence and promote self-care among our customers. It's fulfilling to see how we are continuously inspiring and positively impacting the lives of many Filipinos, not just through our products but also through our business opportunities. With thousands of Gorgeous Glow affiliates both here in the country and abroad, it is heartwarming to witness how the Gorgeous Glow business has empowered them to improve their lives. I am so proud to share that we have been recently nominated for the Brand Owner of the Year award at the TikTok Awards Philippines 2023, and I was personally nominated as a Hall of Famer in Tiktok Shop Awards. There are really so many things to be grateful for.
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| Dress, Emanuel Ungaro. Earrings and ring, Lydia Courteille. |
AM: When and how did you start gaining a strong social media following?
RC: I started my online business in 2011, then officially launched my online shop in 2017 with only 20 followers. After a few years, it grew to 275 thousand in that online shop alone. I am confident that my breakthrough into the public eye was driven by my success as an online seller. I effectively marketed trending beauty products, slimming products, and supplements online. My customers wholeheartedly embraced my products and were genuinely delighted with the exceptional results. It was also during the pandemic that I began to attract followers on TikTok and other social media platforms. I crafted content encompassing trending topics, product videos of my brand Gorgeous Glow, and snippets of my daily life. Over time, I have expanded my content to include fashion and lifestyle topics. As a result, my following has blossomed to 3 million supporters worldwide.
AM: And how do you deal with the negative aspects of social media?
RC: Simply put, I refuse to let negativity consume my thoughts. Whenever I encounter any, I dismiss it completely, as I am determined not to let bashers or negative comments impact me in any way. I am well aware of the pervasive negativity on social media, as I often encounter it in my own accounts. It's puzzling to me why people choose to spread negativity and hate. In my view, social media should be a platform for sharing positivity, love, and inspiration.
AM: Coming from the Philippines, what makes the local fashion scene different from Paris?
RC: Paris is renowned for its fashion scene, serving as a hub for fashion designers, artists, and enthusiasts from around the world. Meanwhile, the fashion scene in the Philippines is deeply rooted in culture and is rapidly evolving and innovating.
It's inspiring to see Filipino designers gaining recognition on the international stage and contributing to the global fashion landscape. Some of my favorite Filipino designers include Neric Beltran, Paolo Blanco, and Mark Bumgarner. They are great because of their innovative designs, attention to detail, and their ability to blend Filipino culture with international fashion trends. Their work showcases the rich and diverse creativity of Filipino fashion on the global stage.
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| Top, shorts and bag, Emanuel Ungaro. Earrings and rings, Lydia Courteille. |
AM: This year you attended the Cannes Film Festival; tell us more about the experience. And would you ever consider an acting career?
RC: It was a dream come true for me! Experiencing the red carpet at Cannes and meeting celebrities and notable personalities was truly surreal. I remember just watching celebrities on TV walking down the red carpet in Cannes and admiring them, but now I got to walk there myself! I am currently focusing on growing my business, but the idea of possibly landing a role as the next Bond girl or a cast on Emily in Paris is certainly exciting. Maybe not now, but if it’s truly meant for me, who I am to say no?
AM: You took part of Paris Fashion Week; when did your relationship with fashion first start? And what are your favorite brands?
RC: My love for fashion actually started when I bought my very first designer handbag. I remember buying my very first designer item in the Louis Vuitton shop here in Manila. Some of my favorite international designer brands include Gucci, Balmain, and Louis Vuitton. I admire them for their timeless elegance, attention to detail, and their ability to set trends while maintaining their distinct brand identity.
AM: We also noticed that you like shopping for haute couture, what makes couture so special for you?
RC: For me, haute couture is like collecting art. I've always been fascinated with the concepts behind it. The fabric, the textures, the construction of each piece - it's all just artfully made. Some pieces even resonate with me on a personal level.
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| Dress, Emanuel Ungaro. Earrings and ring, Lydia Courteille. |
AM: You’ve been recently promoting a shape wear brand on your socials, why did you choose this new business sector?
RC: I created Rosenda Shapewear because I firmly believe that beauty comes in all forms. My goal is to instill body confidence and empower individuals to feel truly confident in their body shape, allowing them to move with assurance. Inclusivity is at the core of our brand - Rosenda Shapewear is designed to cater to all shapes, sizes, and genders. We are firm in our belief that confidence begins from within, and it is our mission for everyone to wear our innerwear with pride and unwavering confidence.
AM: Finally, what’s next for you?
RC: I am geared towards growing my business further. I want Gorgeous Glow to be internationally known and loved. I envision my business moving towards a global scale, reaching an even bigger market, and changing more lives for the better.