Heart of Gold
Dermatologist of choice Dr Aivee Aguilar-Teo talks about how dressing up gives her the confidence to shine in her career and become a beaming light for others
In an industry saturated with white lab coats and monotonous scrubs, one can always expect Dr Aivee Aguilar-Teo to stand out in sparkling contrast, radiant in her unique style.
Between juggling busy days at her clinics and caring for three kids at home, the dermatologist at the helm of the illustrious Aivee Clinic group never fails to put time into looking and feeling good through styling her outfits daily. “It brings out the artistic side in me. They say fashion is wearable art, right? So, it’s like being artistic in another way, and it’s an expression of how you feel inside and how you are as a person,” says AguilarTeo. “When I feel good about what I wear, it really makes me happy to be working and I don’t get tired because I feel confident.”
Aguilar-Teo is a firm believer that self-confidence and an empowered sense of style make all the difference. “I’ve seen first-hand with my patients how feeling good and looking good has really changed their mindset, perception and mood. I’ve seen how being confident and people telling them ‘You look good’ and ‘You’re blooming’ really make them happy. I feel that it’s important for us to be confident because we can conquer and do anything we want to do when we’re confident about who we are,” she states.
Her thriving beauty empire is a testament to AguilarTeo’s strong, irradiant character, underscored by a deeper purpose to provide care to all, especially to those most in need. “I feel that God put us here for a reason,” she muses. “I think God gave us talents because he wants us to be able to spread them out and help other people. I don’t know until when He wants me to serve and be a doctor, so I just want to make sure that I’m able to really live the purpose that He intended for me.”
The Aivee Clinic is resolute in continuing its dedicated medical outreaches to provide dermatological care for persons with disabilities. Aguilar-Teo shares, “They empower me more than I empower them because their joyful spirit gives me energy.” The doctor can be found working hands-on in each mission—her joy and commitment to serve apparent in the way no job is too tedious and no detail too small.
This attention to detail can be seen in her work and perhaps more overtly in her style, as she proclaims her love of accessorising. She says, “I can have just one black shirt and wear it so many times, but when you accessorise, you’re able to wear it differently.”
Among her vast collection of accessories, pearls are a staple, not only for their beauty but for their sentimentality. “When I was growing up, I always saw [my mum] wearing pearl earrings and a pearl necklace. I think it’s very elegant. I like the fact that it can turn a simple outfit into something more dressed-up. Pearls really are a good investment because you’re able to just put them on and look like a million bucks,” she declares.
For her pearls, she can always count on the fine selections of Jewelmer, the homegrown jeweller with a global reputation for their enduring excellence in cultivating South Sea pearls. Long attuned to the delicateness of the precious gem, Jewelmer nurtures pearls like no other and transforms them into exceptional pieces to suit a myriad of fashions and stand the test of time. Aguilar-Teo exclaims, “It’s timeless! You can wear it for 5, 10, 15 years. You can give it to your daughter. You can wear it at any age.”
Much like timeless pearls, Aguilar-Teo’s lasting impact through her brilliant work, inspiring selfconfidence, and her passionate philanthropy will shine through for a long time.