A Passion for Fashion

Women's dressing rooms aren't always the most joyful places. Sobs and fits of anger can ensue. But, as a fashion designer, Robert Rodriguez aims to make women's fitting rooms a happy place.

"That's my goal, to make women feel good," he says during a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus at Fashion Show mall. "Fashion is emotional. When women shop, I want them to feel sexy, special and comfortable."

For most women, that would definitely qualify as feeling good. With draping, pleating and ruching in all the right places, his clothes have a way of flattering most figures and jumping out as the treasure that justifies the hunt. The Cuban-born designer attributes his knowledge of a woman's body to growing up with two sisters and having a close relationship with his mother. Watching them shop and prepare for a big night out made quite the impact on him as a kid.

Rodriguez started sketching designs at an early age and says all things art-related fascinated him. At age 15, his mother gave him a book about iconic fashion designer Christian Dior. Impressed by the glamorous aspect of the industry and Dior's limitless talent, Rodriguez decided fashion was his destiny.

Many young people are deciding on the same career these days because of influences such as "Project Runway." Rodriguez predicts most of them won't realize dreams of fashion designing because he sees it as something you're born with, not something that can be taught. That said, he would never deter a young person from giving it their best shot. "Sometimes they go into other areas" when the fashion design goal doesn't work out, he says. That's where merchandising and styling, both of which make up important aspects of the industry, come into play.

As for his own goals as a designer, Rodriguez never imagined he'd come as far as making personal appearances around the country. His eyes take in the whole corner of Neiman Marcus that's devoted to his clothing and a sheepish grin comes across his face. Rodriguez can only shrug his shoulders at the accomplishment, which is probably why he hesitates when asked what he aspires to next. Eventually, he says he'd like his own boutique, a shoe and accessories line and, of course, a fragrance.

One thing is missing from Rodriguez's list of goals: a diffused designer line. Stores such as Target, H&M, Kohl's and JCPenney have made high fashion labels accessible via collaborations with designers willing to put out budget-friendly collections. Rodriguez says the trend has become excessive. "It's just too much," he says. "There should be a balance. It's overkill now."

So, for now he'll focus on growing his current line, which gets easier every time a high-profile celebrity decides to don one of his designs. Angelina Jolie and Nicole Kidman have been known to pick up a garment or two, but who is he dying to see in one of his designs? "Lady Gaga," he says. "She's pushing the envelope. That used to be Madonna, but Lady Gaga is taking on that role now."

If that doesn't work out, he might just consider a diffused line: "I won't say I'd never do it."