STYLETALKS
WHAT IS YOUR STYLE
PHILOSOPHY? Right now, I’m trying to be bolder. I love the 70s to 90s, and I definitely think that influences my taste significantly.
I’m trying to branch out into more color and patterns, but my love for classics still remain very much intact—a little black dress, stilettos, a good faded mom jeans and sneakers; these are things that can’t do you wrong, no matter the time or place.
ARE YOU A PLANNER OR A SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT
DRESS ER? Depends on the occasion. But definitely, more often than not, I find myself just opening up my closet and grabbing what catches my eye. Your gut can’t go wrong when it comes to style, and I think that what I wear is often instinctive for that precise reason.
DO YOU HAVE ANY STYLE ICONS WHOM YOU LOOK UP
T O ? Too many to count. I love Rihanna, Zendaya, and I think the Karjenners have great style. I’m inspired a lot by my cousins, especially Ate Kiana. My friends play a huge part, too. Sometimes we spend hours at each other’s houses just dressing one another up and swapping clothes. Style is a wonderful thing to share—you learn and grow together and manage to do it in a judgment/stress-free way.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST FASHION INVESTMENT?
Just recently, I got my first few pairs of designer shoes as a surprise from my Mama. I think it’s super important that it took some time for me to get that. I’m 18 now, so I see the real value in expensive pieces. There’s a certain degree of responsibility and accountability that comes with maturity and that definitely goes beyond shoes.
PICK YOUR POISON: BAGS OR SHOES? Shoes! I borrow bags from Mom, but the shoes are all mine since no one else at home is a size eight. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever once gone out with the intention of purchasing a bag. There’s enough at home.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS OR BRANDS LOCALLY OR ABROAD? WHY DO YOU LIKE THESE IN PARTICULAR? Chanel is timeless. I have an old school friend, Jude Macasinag who I look up to a lot. His pieces are made with such delicacy and every creative choice he makes is intentional and deliberate, not to mention fundamentally Filipino. And he’s so young, I admire his passion and dedication.
QUICK, YOUR CLOSET’S ON FIRE! WHAT ARE THE FIRST THREE THINGS YOU WOULD
S AV E ? My Mom’s bags. That’s vintage, 25-year old Chanel! They don’t make that anymore, so absolute priceless. Not to mention she’d probably kill me. Everything else I could start fresh with, but I’d 100% run through searing hot flames to grab those bags and keep them intact.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT OBSESSION. I have too many little obsessions at a time. When something gives me joy, I find myself enthralled in interest. Right now a lot of it is color, though. And I’ve always been an accessory-loving girl. Rings, bracelets, necklaces—subtle things like that can totally make or break a look. It’s the small stuff that shows the thought—even just hair clips and stud earrings. You’ll never see me leave the house without at least one of those. On another note, self-care is essential. Staying hydrated, getting ample sleep. Never forget that taking care of yourself if the most important thing.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
If there’s anything the past year has taught me, it’s this—your expectations make your reality. I’ve learned to let go, to allow the universe to take me where it wants, with an open, grateful heart, and a humble spirit. We take so much for granted, but we’re only specks of dust (albeit, beautiful ones) with larger purposes we can’t control. I wrote a poem once with perhaps my favorite line yet. "The dawn can never rise without first breaking.” An enduring reminder for myself more than anyone else.