Wilfredo Rosado

Wilfredo Rosado is an American jewelry designer and stylist. Early in his career, Rosado worked as a stylist at Andy Warhol's Interview magazine while also holding positions at Armani, later becoming Head of Public Relations for Emporio Armani before joining the design team. He subsequently established himself as a high jeweler, founding his eponymous high jewelry collection in 2011 and launching the fine jewelry line W. Rosado in 2020. Rosado has also notably worked as a stylist for singer Mariah Carey.

Life and career

Rosado was born in New Jersey to Puerto Rican parents.[1] He took an interest in fashion at a young age and would read international fashion magazines.[2]

Rosado studied biology for two years at New York University.[2] He wanted to become a doctor, but he had a passion for fashion. On weekends, he worked at a shop called Parachute in SoHo, Manhattan.[2][3] While still in school, he was recruited in 1984 to work at the first Giorgio Armani boutique in New York City.[2][4] After a summer of working at Armani, he intended to resume school in the fall, but he was drawn to the business of fashion and never returned.[2] He went from doing sales to visual merchandising.[2]

In 1984, Rosado met Pop artist Andy Warhol and was offered a job in Interview magazine's fashion department.[5][2] He became part of Warhol's inner circle and was immersed in New York City's downtown art and club scene, where he also befriended artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. In a diary entry dated December 19, 1985, Warhol said: "Wilfredo's really the best babysitter. He's sweet but he's street-smart. And he takes numbers and follows up on business contacts. But he's so busy with his styling work at Interview and he still works Saturdays at Armani."[6] After Warhol died in 1987, Rosado remained at Interview for a short while before doing a stint at Fame magazine. Afterward, he returned to Armani as the head of PR for Emporio Armani, then he joined the design team and relocated to Milan for two years.[2]

A shopping trip with Warhol in New York's Diamond District, where they browsed antique gems and estate jewelry, first sparked Rosado's interest in jewelry design in the 1980s.[5] In 2011, Rosado launched his namesake high jewelry brand.[7] Shortly after, actress Gwyneth Paltrow wore pink earrings by Wilfredo Rosado during her performance with singer CeeLo Green at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2011.[2]

Rosado is also the longtime stylist of singer Mariah Carey. He styled Carey for her holiday specials Mariah Carey's Merriest Christmas (2015) and Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to All! (2022), as well as for her Las Vegas residency, The Celebration of Mimi (2024–2025).[8] In addition, he designed the 35-carat engagement ring Carey received from Australian businessman James Packer when they were engaged in 2016.[9]

In 2020, he launched the fine jewelry line W. Rosado.[10][11][12] He designed the pearl necklace worn by Vice President Kamala Harris at the Inauguration of Joe Biden in 2021.[2]

Rosado appeared in the Netflix docuseries The Andy Warhol Diaries (2022).

References

  1. ^ Samah, Barry (2021-01-20). "The Powerful Meaning Behind Kamala Harris's Inauguration Pearls". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Colón, Ana (March 15, 2021). "How Wilfredo Rosado Went From Studying Biology at NYU to Designing the Pearls Seen at the Inauguration". Fashionista. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  3. ^ Morris, Bernadine (1984-11-04). "FASHION UPTOWN & DOWN". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  4. ^ "Armani 5th Avenue". Interview Magazine. March 4, 2009. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  5. ^ a b "One to Watch: Jewelry Designer Wilfredo Rosado". NBC New York. 2011-05-06. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  6. ^ Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York, NY: Warner Books. p. 701. ISBN 978-0-446-51426-2.
  7. ^ Moore, Booth (June 17, 2011). "Wilfredo Rosado's cool jewels". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  8. ^ "How Mariah Carey Is Capturing the Story of Her Career Through Costuming". Harper's BAZAAR. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2026-03-18.
  9. ^ "Mariah Carey Is Engaged! An Exclusive First Look at Her 35-Carat Engagement Ring". Vogue. 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
  10. ^ "Wilfredo Rosado Improves on the Classic Pearl Necklace". Vogue. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  11. ^ DeMarco, Anthony. "Wilfredo Rosado Uses Pearls To Launch New Fine Jewelry Brand". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-08-27.
  12. ^ Davidson, Annie (January 12, 2021). "Andy Warhol's Protégé, an Armani Alumnus, Is Redefining Pearl Jewelry". W Magazine. Retrieved 2022-08-28.
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