@ 20 – styling stars with passion for fashion

GABRIELE Angeline Mereria once

The assistant stylist at 20 has

of Asia’s Next Top Model season 5 winner Maureen Wroblewitz in Star Style magazine, trendy clothes of boy group Hashtag on the cover of Mega Man magazine, and some of the get-ups of the lovely member of BFF5 Maris Racal in All-Star Sunday Afternoon Party (ASAP).

Gail was seen as a “tomboyish kid” by the people around her circle back then. She was a kid that you would probably see at the corner with her boy playmates — playing with Yugi-oh, Beyblade and Zoids. But there was another side of her that people did not witness — a part of her that loves designing and creating fashionable

And she is not the typical fashionista. This young woman knows how to body drop and full hip throw a foe in the world of modern martial arts — as she is part of the Judo varsities of Ateneo de Manila University. But, this lady in training uniform, who intimidates her opponents with her hand and foot techniques, disappears as she sets her eye on the trendy clothes to come-up with exquisitely blended garments styled for the stars of showbiz and model industry.

This is hardly surprising, however, as Gail’s mom’s, Judith Mereria, once made a living through designing and producing clothes. Gail is related to a successful Filipino couture designer based in Dubai, Ezra Santos — owner of Ezra Couture — who dressed famous Hollywood stars and Filipino celebrities like Paris Hilton, Tyra Banks, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Anne Curtis and Heart Evangelista, among others. One could say that the fashion interest runs in Gail’s blood — she has “fashion genes.”

But Gail is her own young woman who rocks her own style even as she looks up to and adores fashion icons like Rihanna, Beyonce and Vanessa Hudgens. “I find their distinct styles successful in a way that they’re powerful, bold and

keep you on the edge, just like how I want mine to be,” she said.

She came across the world of fashion through a Facebook post of a famous creative director, Ryuji Shiomitsu. Her passion was ignited as she saw the invitation of Ryuji — an invitation to be the assistant stylist in his team. She immediately submitted her application to make her childhood dream a reality.

And her dreams did come true as she was accepted in Team Ryuji Shiomitsu. She recalled that spe-

“You don’t know how happy I was to receive his message. I must’ve looked at his message around 50 times or so. I couldn’t believe it.”

Gail also vividly remembers the

SPEED magazine with GMA Encantadia’s Hara Danaya, portrayed Gabrielle Angeline Mereira (inset) counts Asia’s Next Top Model season 5 winner Maureen Wroblewitz as one of her clients.

by Sanya Lopez. The man behind the camera was no other than the renowned photographer, Doc Marlon Pecjo — who took shots of numerous famous celebrities including Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach and the Primetime queen, Marian Rivera. Even without an experience in the sphere of The assistant stylist opened up that the fashion industry is all

that matters to the people I work with is my output. I don’t think it even occurred to the people I work with that I’m way younger than they are.” She, however, would

“never forget how blessed [she is] to have stumbled upon something [she is] so passionate about” at such a young age.

She had since styled well-known personalities in the entertainment industry including Marlon Stockinger, Kiana Valenciano, AljurAbrenica, Claudia Barreto, Leila Alcasid, Nico Bolzico, Grae Fernandez, Ryza Cenon and Arci Munoz. She also has set her magic on famous models like Jach Manere, Jessica Yang, Cassie Reyes, Wanda Chen, and Tessa Burton to name a few. She derives inspiration from fashion powerhouses like Gucci and Balenciaga. While she styles her clients according to their visual pegs, she gives things her own twist.

But it was not all easy for Gail.