Mood magazine editorial, photo by Alessio Bolzoni, styling by Rossana Passalacqua

Rossana Passalacqua was born in Palermo, but now lives in Milan. She is a freelance stylist and does regular contributes for magazines such as Encens, The End and Dealer DeLuxe. She has been fashion editor for Rodeo magazine and has done advertising and consulting projects for brands such as C’N'C, Nike, Exte, Nude, Paul Frank, Levi’s, Wesc, Nordkapp, Piaggio, L’Oreal and many others. She has just finished a shooting with photographer Marco Pietracupa for Vice Italy.

Soma magazine editorial, photo by Francesco Brigida, styling by Rossana Passalacqua

Was it always your dream to pursue a career as a stylist? Why?
No. Basically I had two dreams when I was a child: theatre and journalism. Then I fell in love with fashion and I studied as fashion designer. I think styling is a good way for me to deal with my three passions: magazines, theatre and fashion.

Who is your role model? Or the most interesting woman you met?
Not an easy question. I don’t have a real role model. I have a lot of women that inspire me on my work, but not a proper role model. My family, my parents are actually my role models in life.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from everything: my town – Palermo – my classic studies above all, my love for photography.

The End magazine editorial, photo by Chiara Romagnoli, styling by Rossana Passalacqua

You work for magazines such as Rodeo, The End, Baby Baby Baby, Encens: does your style and your approach remain always the same for different editorial clients?
No, of course. It would be really unprofessional. I think the best stylists are those who are able to adapt their style to the client and the mood requested without changing their global vision on fashion and aesthetic in general.

What are your favourite magazines?
Encens is way long my favourite magazine. Encens is actually a fashion magazine who talks about fashion in a really culturally relevant way without using easy expedients such as art, music and celebrities.

What are your favourite female photographers?
I have a lot of female photographers I like. I think in the past few years the work of Laura Sciacovelli was the one that really impressed me more.

Mood magazine editorial, photo by Alessio Bolzoni, styling by Rossana Passalacqua

You divide yourself between Paris and Milan: what are the differences between these cities? What are your favourite places?
Milan is about houses and yards, Paris is about streets and bistro. I like Vintage Delirium by Franco Iacassi and Japanese restaurant Mitsuba in Milan. I like Rue Charlot and the archives in Rue Des Archive in Paris.

What do you think are your greatest professional achievements?
Doing such a creative and stimulating job without knowing anybody in this industry until few years ago.

Soma magazine editorial, photo by Francesco Brigida, styling by Rossana Passalacqua

Rossana Passalacqua portrait

Where do you see yourself in a few years ahead?
Honestly, I don’t know. If magazines would still exist, I’ll be somewhere styling as usual, otherwise you will find me in my wonderful island, Sicily.

Who is the woman you’d like to see featured/interviewed here?
Lilli Gruber, a great journalist and the most elegant and outstanding woman in Italian TV ever. She should be in a new fashion campaign!

www.rossanapassalacqua.com