Twenty-One Years in Combat Boots. A Lifetime in Couture. The Powerhouse Story of Rocquel Caliste

Twenty-one years. That’s how long Rocquel Caliste served her country—not just in uniform, but with unwavering discipline, conviction, and vision. Her story is not one of reinvention, but of reclamation. Of wearing many hats—soldier, scientist, fashion expert, mentor, mother—and somehow never losing the crown. She is the definition of a warrior in heels.

“I work so hard for my career. I need to make sure people know that,” Rocquel says, her tone not boastful, but firm—like a woman who’s carried lives, dreams, and legacy on her back.

She isn’t exaggerating.

Before Rocquel was commanding respect on red carpets and runways, she was commanding soldiers. A former Major in the United States Army, she spent over two decades mastering logistics, negotiating high-stakes decisions, managing morale, and learning how to lead under pressure. But behind the scenes of this military powerhouse was a creative soul—one raised beside a sewing machine, learning the language of fabric from her mother.

“Fashion has always kind of been something I loved. I always would help my mother with fashion. She made all our clothes, basically, so she would ask questions and I was always by her side,” Rocquel remembers. That love never faded. Even during deployments, she opened boutiques at various stations. “They were very successful,” she says. “I was always a correspondent for different outlets. So it was something I always did.”

This isn’t a story of transition—it’s a story of expansion. Rocquel didn’t pivot from science to beauty. She brought her lab coat to the beauty counter. “Before going into the military, I went to medical school for graduate coursework. I got commissioned as a chemical officer, which allowed me to do research and work in hospitals,” she explains. It’s this deep-rooted understanding of biology and public health that informs her brand Rocquel Naturals, a skincare line that’s as intentional as it is effective.

“Being a military officer really set me up for everything I’m doing in the entertainment industry,” she says. “It allowed me to know how to budget, make deals, negotiate, and collaborate with people.” She adds, “When I was a commander, it was about the morale and welfare of soldiers. You're always planning events—farewells, welcome-home celebrations. Now I plan award shows. It's the same skills, just a different audience.”

Every facet of Rocquel’s journey has layered her with skills and vision. As a beauty expert, her work goes beyond surface level.

“Oh my God, it's so important to have self-love,” she says when asked how it plays into her styling and mentorship. “In order for you to do anything, you have to really know when you need a mental reset, a mental break—to just love on yourself. You can't do anything unless you're taking care of yourself.”

Her skincare line is an extension of that philosophy.

“I’ve worked on Rocquel Naturals for many years. Not just because I worked in the beauty industry, but because I'm passionate. All of the ingredients are natural, and I tested them on over 400 women—all nationalities, men, children,” she says.

But her mission took on new clarity when she discovered how underrepresented Black women were in the industry.

“I am African-American. And when I did the research, I saw that many African-Americans were underserved in skincare. A lot of brands were collaborations of others, but not one chemist from our community. So I created one.”

It wasn’t just business—it was personal.

She shares a story that changed everything.

“I was working for L'Oreal and had a customer, an Indian woman. She came in crying, upset about a makeover she'd just gotten at MAC. 'I got this new job, I'm a vice president banker,' she told me, but her skin didn’t look right. I calmed her down, pulled out ingredients and put something together on the spot. She came back with her husband. 'You don't know how you changed my life,' she said. She was depressed, and I helped her see herself again.”

Then came a late-night call in 2023. “I'm living in Vegas. It's a 678 number. It's her. She tells me she found the receipt, my number was on it, and she had to thank me. She was in a better space. Her skin was better. I was in tears. That day I had gotten bad news about the skincare line. I was feeling defeated. Her message changed my life.”

And the next day? Rocquel sold 372 products. Over $17,000 in revenue.

“Never give up on your passion because you never know how you can help someone,” she says. “I kept God in the center. That’s my success. I'm a survivor. I never give up.”

This heart-led resilience is what fuels her next endeavor: RDC.

“My vision for RDC is to capture the real voices of people who are survivors. People who never gave up. A lot of times, people see the goals—the success—but they never see the struggle,” she explains. “We all have setbacks. Whether it's finances, relationships, betrayal. If you’re in the fashion world, it helps to see someone you admire go through those things too.”

She continues: “I want to highlight greatness, yes. But I also want to remind people that it hasn't always been like this. There are people who are close, who just need the right platform to get there. RDC is for them.”

Her work doesn’t stop there.

Rocquel is currently developing a new line of products for eczema, inspired by her youngest son’s own skin challenges. “I'm diving into that hard. We have three products ready, and I'm adding three more. Everything will launch on June 22—my mother’s birthday,” she says with pride.

She’s also in talks for a show, something “BIG,” she hints, with details to come. But more than anything, Rocquel is focused on legacy.

“I’m working so hard. Building a legacy for my family, and my family that are not my family—my team, my singers. I want them to win. For me to win, they have to win.”

At the heart of it all is a belief that service is the highest form of purpose.

“We are here to serve. If you’re not serving in what you do, then what are you doing?” she asks.

What Rocquel Caliste is doing is more than impressive. It’s revolutionary. In a world full of brands chasing clout, she’s focused on care. On connection. On creating something that outlives her. Because real queens don’t just wear crowns.

They build kingdoms.