Revolve's CBO Raissa Gerona Spends the Summer Traveling with Top Influencers: Here's What She Packs

Revolve’s Chief Brand Officer Raissa Gerona crosses the globe with Instagram’s most recognizable influencers. And while she’s become a fashion authority in her own right (one scroll through her feed and you’ll want to raid her closet), Gerona’s focus remains on building the business through fostering the brand’s strong social media presence, which has quickly catapulted Revolve to one of the fastest growing online retailers.

In June, Gerona helped the $1.2 billion brand go public in one of the most stylish IPO’s to hit the New York Stock Exchange. She even wore a Lovers + Friends shirt dress for the occasion.

“It was such a surreal moment,” she tells PEOPLE of completing the company’s public offering. “It truly was a once in a lifetime experience, and I’m super grateful that I got to contribute in making it happen. It has been years (and years!) in the making and to experience it with the people I love and look up to, and have worked side by side with for years, is truly remarkable and unforgettable.”

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Feeling so grateful for my family and friends for all your love and support. You guys have believed in me since I started selling vintage on eBay in 2005! Without you, I wouldn't be here. Big big BIG shout out to my parents for moving to America in 1989 when I was 7 years old to make a better life for me and my sisters. You've forever instilled in me the meaning of hard work and sacrifice and the endless things you can do when given an opportunity. And finally, to @snapshotd. It's been 18 years since we started dating and never once ever have you ever doubted me. Thank you. You're my day 1 forever❤️ #RVLV _________________________________________________ The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus related to the offering, when available, may be obtained, from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014, or by telephone at 1-866-718-1649; or Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, Eleven Madison Avenue, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10010, by telephone at 1-800-221-1037, or by email at usa.prospectus@credit-suisse.com. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC and was declared effective on June 6, 2019. Copies of the registration statement, as amended, can be accessed through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. This shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

A post shared by Raissa Gerona (@raissagerona) on Jun 13, 2019 at 11:56am PDT

Gerona, who’s mom to her 1-year-old daughter Dylan, may have a boardroom seat with Revolve, but as a Filipino woman, she’s still in the minority in most business of her meetings. That’s why she’s always thinking of ways to diversify the brand marketing team by developing an inclusive network of ambassadors.

“We’re super proud to work with a diverse group of over 3,000 influencers in a variety of ways — events, trips, social, all the way up to design partnerships and beyond,” she shares. “We’re constantly evolving our marketing strategy and developing our influencer network. What’s most important is that we listen to our customers and who they are inspired by. They’re our ultimate guiding light. The goal is always to focus on what makes the most sense for the Revolve brand and our customers.”

The latest influencer trip was the brand’s much buzzed about #REVOLVESummer (you know the hashtag), which hosted an elite group of social media mavens including Shay Mitchell, Camila Coelho, Rocky Barnes, Olivia Culpo, Victoria’s Secret Angels Lais Ribeiro and Elsa Hosk among many others Internet stars at the exclusive Cuximala Resort in Mexico.

“Cuixmala was absolutely incredible and was the perfect place to host Revolve summer. None of us, or the influencers we brought, have ever been there so it was such a great experience for everyone,” Gerona shares. “A lot of the girls we brought this year have been part of our network for a long time but had never joined us on an intimate Revolve trip, so it was amazing to spend time with them and learn more about them. Also, I love seeing a lot of the influencers I’ve become good friends with over the years. We always look forward to spending Revolve Summer together — it’s like summer camp!”

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VIVA #revolvesummer 🌶🌶🌶 @revolve

A post shared by Raissa Gerona (@raissagerona) on Jul 16, 2019 at 11:16am PDT

As for the biggest Instagram hack she’s learned at “summer camp,” it’s simple: “Always be yourself. And as long as you’re yourself, your content will feel authentic to you — and that’s super important.”

The hardest part of the trips isn’t what to put on your feed. It’s what to pack. But Gerona has the ultimate Revolve closet to pull from.

“I’m usually not an over-packer but it does takes me some time to pack because I like to make sure my outfits are planned out beforehand — even down to the accessories,” she shares. For #REVOLVEsummer, I made sure I packed some cute summer dresses from Lovers + Friends, sunglasses from my my my, swimsuits and activewear from lovewave, and RAYE shoes.”

Below, shop Gerona’s top picks for your summer suitcase below:

Courtesy Revolve
Courtesy Revolve

“I adore this dress from LPA — it’s the perfect dress to wear on a hot summer day (and it even has pockets)!”

Buy It! LPA Daria Dress, $178; revolve.com

Courtesy Revolve
Courtesy Revolve

“This bag is perfect when you want to dress up any outfit for those days when you’re on the go. I’m a huge fan of snake print — especially when it’s on a cute bucket bag!”

Buy It! L’Academie Jordan Bucket Bag, $178; revolve.com

Courtesy Revolve
Courtesy Revolve

“These are my go-to sunnies for summer — throw them on with any of my picks above and voilà!”

Buy It! My, My, My Quynn Sunglasses, $98; revolve.com

Courtesy Revolve
Courtesy Revolve

“This swimsuit is so on-trend and so SEXY! I’d pair this suit with a sheer coverup, some cute black sandals, and head straight to the beach.”

Buy It! Lovewave Beverly Bikini, $98; revolve.com

Courtesy Revolve
Courtesy Revolve

“This is the top you wear to the club when you wanna make that ex-boyfriend see what he’s been missing — but really, this top is a showstopper and bound to turn some heads!”

Buy It! h:ours Suroc Cowl Top, $198; revolve.com