STYLEPHILE
Stylist to the stars, Em Millan shares her journey to becoming the woman she was always meant to be
Isabella Pascua paves her own way in style
Arguable as it may be, Instagram is a worthy gauge of a person’s passions. For Em Millan, or Miss Em as we fondly call her, it would be traveling around the world, styling her superstar clients, antiaging beauty discoveries, and her latest shoe acquisitions. Out of everything, however, fashion definitely holds a high regard.
“My earliest memories would be my mom marking magazines of what she’d have her modista copy. She had an aparador of fabrics she’d source around the Philippines, and the modista would come over to our house for fittings. I would always be with my mom at these fittings,” she recalls of the
pivotal moment that ultimately made her fall in love with fashion.
Assigned male at birth, Em was always an outsider looking in when it came to the colorful world of women’s fashion, but while unknown at the time, it was that love that would become a catalyst in discovering and ultimately, shaping her true identity. “Gender expression was very important as it affirmed my womanhood. Being able to present myself as a woman was the easiest way to express my choices, my sexuality. It was a representation of the real me,” she elucidates.
By the age of 30, she began to express her most authentic self to everyone. This was also when she read about transgender history and science, and it felt like the puzzle of her identity was finally complete. Finally for her, everything made sense. Encouraged by her love for fashion, she had her ears pierced, wore a simple black A-line skirt and a pair of killer heels, and realized that the woman she is today has always been in her. Her look would always revolve around midi skirts, lace pieces, and gorgeous frocks in immaculate white. This style easily transitions to her clients as one half of the dynamic duo of Rain x Em. With Rain Dagala’s whimsical and fashion forward creations, Em Millan brings with her the classic feminine aesthetics, making the tandem one of the most sought after in the industry. “Transitioning has made me more excited and more creative in our styling jobs,” she reveals. “I understood silhouettes, proportions, and pairings better because of it.”
Today, her time revolves mostly around the schedule of her styling team. What makes her job exciting is that it has always been a dynamic industry where no two days are alike. One day she would be in shoots, and the next day, she could be going to events and meetings. On off days, she’d go out on dates with friends over a cup of coffee with a healthy serving of French fries. Currently, she’s starting a few businesses and partnerships that she is excited to add to her portfolio.
It has been a long road for Em to realize her true self, but it is only in embracing the real self that will ultimately give you the happiness this life has promised. Em is proof of that. She is thriving and successful, but also grateful for everything she has gone through. Everyday is an opportunity for her to be a better version of herself and we are most definitely in this journey with her.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST FASHION
MEMORY? At an early age, I remember choosing my own clothes to wear for Sunday school. My favorite was a plaid buttondown with pastel pleated shorts.
WHO WAS YOUR FASHION ROLE MODEL WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP? Mymom and my sister were really early fashion influences. They weren’t big shoppers, nor were they trendy, but it was always about being puttogether, about how you present yourself to the world. They always made it a point that the clothes they wore were clean and properly pressed, and fit well. It was fashion and clothing being a representation of how prepared you are for the day, how you put an effort to show up well-dressed to church, or now to a meeting or an event.
WHAT IS YOUR FASHION PHILOSOPHY? Fashion should make you feel good about yourself. Have fun, and don’t let anybody else tell you what not to do. Don’t be a slave to fashion. It might sound counterintuitive coming from a stylist, but it’s just fashion. It will pass and evolve, but enjoy the now with it. I don’t think you should refuse to wear something you absolutely love just because of what others will think today or in the future— that’s not a way to live.
ARE YOU A SHOE OR BAG LOVER? OR BOTH? Shoes! I have always loved heels, but my humble collection all look the same (pumps, strappy sandals, or ankle straps). But I only buy ones that I can walk in (max of 100mm), and the comfiest ones for me are Stuart Weitzman, Gianvito Rossi, and Aquazzura.
DO YOU ALSO LOVE TO ACCESSORIZE? Yes!I always wear a watch and maybe earrings or a necklace. But if I want to really personalize a look, I go past my studs. I love Eric Manansala and Ken Samudio. I also enjoy the pieces from H&M, Forever 21, and J Crew.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNERS, BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL? Tough one, but for local, I wear a lot of Martin Bautista (always feminine, he made my first gown), Neric Beltran (so carefully handcrafted, very intricate, super show-stopping), Elize Padilla (romantic, classy, and all well-made). Internationally, I watch out for Self-Portrait. I also always refer to Dice Kayek and Delpozo, Oscar dela Renta, Carolina Herrera, Elise Saab and Marchesa, of course. I dream about one day, waking up to a closet full of J Crew pieces.
WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON TODAY’S FASHION? It’s much more fun now, and so much easier in terms of accessibility, variety, inspiration. Everybody can immediately present a personality based on how they look. It’s getting even more exciting!
WHAT IS THE MOST DEFINING MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE THUS FAR? Hands-down, my transition. I quit my job and pursued styling full time. I found my true self. My life has just started, I feel. Everything that happened pretransition was preparation for the life I am living now.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SECRET TO A HAPPY LIFE? It’s a choice. It’s so much easier to say, and I am guilty of that, too. But having faith that the best plans for you are about to come, plans for you to prosper and not forsake you—my favorite verse, and my nightly prayer.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR EM M I L L A N ? I honestly don’t feel like I’m in control of my life and I determine what’s next—shit happens and I’m like, "Okay, this is what we’re doing now.” My university choice, my jobs, my transition...It wasn’t a clear-cut, hard goal I made sure I achieved by a certain age, but my choices were made along the way that led to where I ended up, and I just made sure I give my best in everything I do, choose the best option with what’s presented to me at that time. Right now, there are options that make me choose, and I just keep hustling until I make and reach new dreams for myself and just go through life loving it.
"FASHION SHOULD MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF. HAVE FUN, AND DON'T LET ANYBODY ELSE TELL YOU WHAT NOT TO DO"