TWELV sits down with founders of Parlor Social Club Jan Cieslikiewicz and Frederick Ghartey to give a glimpse into the story of co-founders living in New York City.
Rocco Leo Gaglioti
Who are you?
Rocco Leo Gaglioti Creator/Host of Fashion News Live and Owner/CEO of RLG Productions, Corp.
I am a CODA (child of a deaf adult) that means I was raised communicating with Sign not speaking. Which ultimately made me more in tune with my surroundings. When I am not working full time as CEO/Executive Producer and Host of FNL I contribute my time and resources to MMDI a non-profit organization that I support.
How did you first enter the fashion business?
I grew up in a large Italian family where my Aunts had tailor shops. I grew up going to my Aunts shops with clothing that I had bought that I would take in to do alterations that I wanted the pieces to have. So that sparked my interest in fashion. Then I got scouted to be a model and got a contract with a major agency in Milan and got sent to Italy. From there I got contracts that shipped me to all parts of Europe. I started out as a model when I was 17 in Europe; I eventually drifted toward photography and now have been the Host of my own show for the last 10 years.
What was your favorite experience being in that world?
Being able to travel around the world showcasing travel destinations, unique places and the different fashion around the world.
One of my first experiences in the modeling world was walking a runway show in Milan in a speedo and feeling naked in front of hundreds of people at 17.
What exactly is FNL and what is its mission?
Fashion News Live is the ultimate online resource to find exclusive celebrity and fashion designer interviews, beauty tips, industry updates and much more. Unique in its format, Fashion News Live seeks out interviews and behind the scenes access to bring the online community into the worlds of fashion and entertainment. Video blogging and syndicating our content to outside networks on Joost, Glamtv, and Blinkx TV has enabled Fashion News Live to have a reach of over 1,000,000. viewers a day.
Fashion News Live is so successful that it consistently ranks in the top 5 on Google’s search engine which includes over 1.87 Billion sites related to fashion news. Fashion News Live has attracted a diverse following seeing as we cover every aspect of the fashion industry from shopping, to trends, to events.
What made you start/get involved with Fashion News Live?
Rocco Leo Gaglioti is a creator, producer and host. He founded the televised on-line fashion magazine, FashionNewsLive.com, which almost overnight has become ranked as one of the top ten out of the 150 million fashion and celebrity sites around the world. He hit the ground running in 2004 with his very first interview on the red carpet with Anna Nicole Smith. Not bad for a rookie. The fact that she tried to make out with him didn't even scare him away from pursuing his lifelong dream of working in the fashion industry. But making dreams come true takes more than good looks and charm. It takes hard work and determination as well. Even though he makes it look easy, Rocco came from humble, though very loving beginnings. He learned to communicate with his hands through sign language before he could even speak because of his mother, who was born deaf. This naturally gave him a lifelong appreciation for the underdog, along with the advantage of a much more enhanced "sixth sense." Being in the right place at the right time doesn't hurt either. It was a Miami model scout with an obvious eye for spotting talent who advised Rocco to try his hand at modeling. Miami quickly turned into Milan and Paris, which turned into New York and the rest is history as they say. Within a short time, he was signed with Boss and Zoli. Rocco wanted more, though, and it was when he picked up a camera in Germany that he discovered his own eye for photography. A natural behind the camera, he impressed several major publishers and soon after secured gigs from Maxim Magazine and Ocean Drive. But the model-turned-photographer still wasn't satisfied. In 2000 he moved to Orlando, founded his own production company, RLG Productions, Inc., and set up shop at the back lot at Universal Studios. His vision for a unique televised fashion magazine format was soon picked up by the now defunct UPN and maintained a strong presence on the network until its demise. He quickly transitioned his vision into an online media empire, which continues to grow and thrive today as he provides a steady stream of compelling entertainment and fashion content for millions of fashionistas around the world. The 6'5" former model may dress from head to toe in Marc Jacobs and Gucci, but that is not what makes him fashion's latest "It Guy". It's more than likely the combination of his soulfulness, his uncanny ability for discerning the next big thing and his beguiling quintessence that landed him on the pop culture radar and will undoubtedly make him a household name. With his eye on television or radio as a next step, the rising star is certainly not going to slow down anytime soon. Rocco resides in Los Angeles, California.
Who was your favorite interview/best access?
I have interviewed over 3000 top named celebrities. It is hard to narrow down a favorite one. I find aspects in each interview I enjoy, so to say one was my favorite or one was the best is not giving credit to all of them.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
I see myself as more of a household name. I hope to continue that on a worldwide basis.
I hope to be healthy and happy and maybe even have a family and I hope to continue to be prosperous and successful in an industry that I love.
Where do you want to see FNL in the next 5-10 years?
Every day we get requests to syndicate the content. We have millions and millions of viewers all over the world that enjoy watching the content we create. It brings me great satisfaction when I look into the analytics and I see the various countries that enjoy the episodes. Every country on this planet has tuned in to my interviews on Fashion News Live
Who are some of the best people that cover fashion?
My team and me.
If you could dress head to toe in only one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?
Dolce & Gabbana
If your house was on fire and you could only save one outfit, what would it be?
My trademark Gaglioti Suit that was handmade for me.
Who are some great up-and-coming designers to keep an eye on?
Sergio Davila.
What interesting trends do you see developing in the fashion world?
Fall/Winter 2013 looked like it was Spring/Summer with all the color that we saw on the runways. Even though Fall/Winter lines are usually darker, there were splashes of color everywhere
What has been the best press Fashion News Live has garnered for itself?
Right now I am on Celebrity Style Stories and it says Rocco Leo Gaglioti from Fashion News Live. It is being aired all the time all around the world on E! The TV Guide network and MTV in Europe. That is the best press out there!
Who is your dream interview?
Madonna, Depeche Mode, and Sylvester Stallone
What do you think of TWELV Magazine?
In an era of the digital way of life comes to life a glossy, thick, beautiful book called “TWELV” Magazine. I think “TWELV” magazine is Avant-garde and is definitely a publication that we need to keep our eyes on every issue. I find much more gratification holding the magazine in my hands and reading and enjoying it.
Interview By Hunt Ethridge
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