AsiaLIFE

Literally two colourful Italian words rolled together to make one, Ororosso, which translates to gold-red, is the latest to join expat favourite – street 240. Melissa Fisher sits down with co-owners Fabrizio Sartor and Keo Sophea.

“Red and gold are colours that are historically part of the Khmer culture,” says Fabrizio Sartor, who came to Cambodia nearly four years ago. After meeting his wife, Keo Sophea, the duo decided to stay and fulfil their dream of opening Ororosso. At the back of the shop, the wall is lined with mounted rolls of solid-coloured cloth. Recreated from memory, this classic display of fabric comes from an Italian clothing boutique where Fabrizio’s own mother worked as a tailor when he was young.

With its second store to open in the country, Ororosso aims at producing a premium fashion brand for Southeast Asia. The boutique proves that international clothing standards and comfortable, fashionable styles are indeed available in Phnom Penh.

“We want to provide useable clothing for every situation. Whether it’s casual or elegant, it is modern yet still true to traditional Italian style.” Fabrizio explains. Women and Men should recall Italy’s glory days. Pull out your large dark sunglasses and think Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck taking their Roman Holiday.

Gathering the best silk from the Cambodian provinces and importing raw materials from Italy, Thailand, Korea and China, Ororosso’s two designers, Cambodian Keo Sophea and Belgian Wesley Taller stitch together that relaxed 1950s and 1960s carefree period in Italy for current day Cambodia. Inspired by this, the designers and Fabrizio oversee a line of high quality, sophisticated pieces that make shopping for work-clothes or an evening function a whole lot easier.

Ororosso hopes to attract an international customer base looking for an upscale urban look. The goal for the designers is to get away from the tropical prints and bring customers functional clothing. The theme of classic mobility is key.

Although the shop offers free tailoring with purchase, Ororosso plans on opening a workshop with its own tailors and eventually exporting some of its products to Europe. A website and catalogue with the complete collection will be unveiled early this month. Priced accordingly for the high quality of design and materials used, men’s linen pants starting at US$63, shorts at US$33 and cotton collared shirts at US$42. Women’s apparel ranges from shirts at US$40, wrap skirts at US$36 and linen pants at US$49. Ororosso also carries beautiful evening dresses, work suits, and home decor.

In this international city where one is expected to hop on a moto to go to work then meet up for drinks or attend an art exhibit at night, Ororosso meets these high expectations. As Fabrizio says, “We believe in what we do. We have the right quality and something special in Cambodia that nobody else is doing.”

Ororosso, 75 Street 240, Tel. 012 483 650