With Bench scoring a major fashion coup for being the first and only Filipino lifestyle brand to take part in America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) All Stars episode in Greece, it was simply a matter of time before Ben Chan, the owner of Bench, brought America’s Next Top Model All Stars to Manila. In another fashion first, ANTM All Star finalists Allison Harvard and Dominique Reighard will be strutting the Philippine Fashion Week runway tonight as guest models in the Michael Cinco and Rajo Laurel for Bench fashion shows.
Texas-born 24-year-old “flower power blondie” Allison Harvard and Ohio native 28-year-old “Glamazon” Dominique Reighard will take the stage with Filipina models in two of the most awaited fashion events of Philippine Fashion Week — the lavish haute couture show of Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco and the delicious denim showcase of Rajo Laurel, both exclusively designed for Bench. With the Philippines’ premier lifestyle brand Bench going all out for its 25-year anniversary, expect the shows to enthrall with fabulous onstage drama and over-the-top, mind-blowing fashion creations.
I sat down with Allison and Dominique and picked their brains about ANTM, fashion, life, love and the Philippines.
PHILIPPINE STAR: Welcome to the Philippines! How does it feel to be thousands of miles away from America? What are your first impressions of our country?
ALLISON HARVARD: I was taken aback by how warmly received I was upon my arrival. Everyone has been sweet and kind, I feel like I am in a magical wonderland!
DOMINIQUE REIGHARD: It’s definitely “More Fun in the Philippines!” It feels incredible to be in Manila, I feel very much at home here.
After appearing in ANTM and ANTM All Stars, how have your lives changed?
Allison: There has been a tremendous change in my life, so many doors have opened and the exposure I got from the shows has led to many great opportunities.
Dominique: A lot. I have released a music album and I have a new single entitled On Top of the World coming out soon. Between the modeling, the singing and some acting engagements I have become so busy.
What was the toughest part of being a contestant on ANTM?
Allison: The toughest part for me was having to give up my privacy since I was and still am a very private person. I struggled with that aspect of reality TV but I have gotten better at accepting it as part of ANTM.
Dominique: I felt like I was taking a crash course all throughout the season; I had to learn to push, keep going, have a tough skin to handle any challenge thrown my way.
ANTM has become a big part of your lives, what was the biggest lesson you learned from the show?
Allison: I realized that everyone makes mistakes and when you are on reality TV there is no way to hide it so I have learned to laugh at myself, not take everything too seriously.
Dominique: I have learned to look at everything from a positive point of view and make things work for me and not against me.
For all the hits and misses and the ups and downs of each show, if you had the chance to change one thing about your stint on ANTM, what would it be?
Allison: Yeah, just one thing; walk back the right way when I got back a photo to join the other girls who got through rather than walk back to where I was originally standing. That was awkward!
Dominique: Nothing, what’s done is done. I own everything I said or did in all the shows and I believe that all through out the season I opened my heart, created meaningful relationships. We all used to think of ourselves as a sorority!
After you were eliminated, did you root for someone else and did she win?
Allison: I really loved Celia and Kortnie from ANTM Cycle 12.
Dominique: Not really because there was no telling who was going to win.
Your stint at ANTM must have caught the attention of casting agents, are you under contract with any modeling agencies in the US or other parts of the world?
Allison: I am working freelance, I actually like working on my own because I have the freedom to decide what I want for myself. I have a website, I’m on Twitter and Tumblr so it is quite easy for people to book me for work, whether it is for fashion or for my art.
Dominique: I have a manager and a publicist; I consider myself more of an entertainer rather than just a model.
What has been your biggest modeling contract to date?
Allison: I consider my endorsement of “Impalpable” perfume by Michael Cinco for Bench as my biggest endorsement so far.
Dominique: I just recently signed with an American beauty company and I will appear in their international advertising campaign; it is still all hush-hush so I cannot disclose the name of the brand but I am shooting their campaign when I go back to the US.
Speaking of the “Impalpable” perfume endorsement, you must be over-the-moon to be selected by Michael Cinco and Bench, how does it feel to do a campaign for a Filipino lifestyle brand?
Allison: Super excited and very much flattered! I am very honored that Michael Cinco chose me to appear in his first collaboration with Bench. After being here for several days, I realized how big Bench is!
How did this fashion gig with Bench happen? What made you decide to come to Manila and do the Philippine Fashion Week for Bench?
Allison: Michael Cinco and Michael Carandang, the Filipino producer of ANTM, contacted me and over several months finalized the details of the trip. I didn’t even think twice, I said yes immediately.
Dominique: Via Twitter! I had such a huge Filipino fan base so I Twitted Michael Carandang and told him I had to get to the Philippines. Funny enough, about six months ago, he told me about this project and now here I am, almost like a full circle.
Do you have any expectations from the show? Do you have any idea what you will be wearing?
Allison: I am actually scared of the runway but I am sure it will be so much fun. I don’t know what I will be wearing but knowing Michael Cinco, it will be awesome.
Dominique: I don’t expect anything less than “fierce” with Michael Cinco. I collaborated with him on my dress for the ANTM All Stars and he is very much into detail and craftsmanship. It will be great!
How would you describe your personal fashion style?
Allison: I’m all about comfort, kinda like Courtney Love meets my dad’s style; oversized T-shirts and baby-doll dresses. No polyesters or anything short and skintight for me.
Dominique: Edgy, bold but elegant. Think DSquared paired with Alexander McQueen. I actually have plans of creating my own line of clothing and accessories sometime in the near future.
Have you had the chance to get some Bench clothing yet?
Allison: Yes! Before I came to Manila I thought Bench was only an underwear brand but now I am wearing their checkered polo shirt and jeans and loving it! Bench has great styles.
Dominique: This black ensemble I’m wearing is fabulous! It is very comfortable, fits very well and is very elegant. We both cannot wait to shop for more Bench stuff!
Describe what your dream shoot will be like; who will be the designer, who will be the photographer and where will the location be?
Allison: I would like to be covered or surrounded by a multitude of Himalayan kittens in Vivienne Westwood, with Juergen Teller taking the photos in some old, lovely house with a big garden. I would have loved to work with Helmut Newton too.
Dominique: I will be wearing a drop-dead gorgeous Michael Cinco creation in Boracay with Steven Meisel taking the photos.
Now that you mention Boracay, will you be staying long enough to visit some of our beautiful sites?
Allison & Dominique: Yes! We will be going to Boracay for several days after the show. We can’t wait!
How do you relax and unwind?
Allison: Painting relaxes me.
Dominique: I meditate.
There seems to be constant drama among the girls on ANTM especially at the models house, is any of that staged? Are you on camera 24/7?
Allison: No, they are not staged; they just look like a lot of drama because of the way the shows are edited.
Dominique: Yes, the cameras are on us 24/7. It is reality TV so everything seems big and dramatic.
Vogue America just changed their rules and will now only use models 16 years old and above; how do you feel about this, should the rest of the industry follow suit and use this as a standard?
Allison: Let children be children is what I say, so it is a positive step for Vogue to make that decision.
Dominique: Sixteen is a good age to start modeling; it is a tough business and you need to have a certain level of maturity to embrace the good and discard the bad and remain true to yourself.
Have you ever been on a diet? If so, what are your thoughts on it and would you recommend it to aspiring models and young girls?
Allison: I followed the Atkins Diet when I was 11 to lose weight; I lost too much weight and became very unhealthy. It was a painful experience and I would not recommend it to any girl even if they want to become models. Now I just try to eat and live healthy.
Dominique: I have never been on a diet and never found any reason to; I have always embraced who I am, imperfections and all and I am very happy with myself. I live a balanced healthy life and it has paid off.
Which part of your body is your most favorite and least favorite and why?
Allison: I look like an owl with my big eyes but they have also been my greatest asset, so it seems. I’m kind of embarrassed about my feet because they look like flippers but hey, I swim very well with them!
Dominique: I like my body, imperfections and all.
What do you think is an ideal model dress size?
Allison: That is such a grey area, I cannot tell you what an ideal model size should be. We are now seeing different-sized models on the runway, even in magazines, so that’s a good change.
Dominique: There shouldn’t be an ideal model size because we are all made differently and beauty comes in all sizes.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about the modeling industry?
Allison: That modeling is easy; people are not aware of the extent of mental strain on models. It can be confusing and awkward at times and you need a strong backbone to remain or be successful in the modeling industry.
Dominique: People think it is just all glamour but it really isn’t.
Do you have a favorite international model?
Allison: Yes, Sasha Pivovarova who has appeared in Chanel, Prada and Giorgio Armani campaigns and on the cover of Vogue Italia, UK and Australia to name a few.
Dominique: I have two, Giselle Bundchen and, of course, Tyra Banks.
What advice would you like to give aspiring models?
Allison: To always have a sense of self and not be swayed by negative comments because they are part and parcel of the business.
Dominique: Do your homework; I used to watch a lot of E TV just to learn everything I could about fashion and modeling and I believe it has helped me tremendously. When you go to a job, you always have to be prepared.
Would you give up your modeling career for love?
Allison: I’ve had a boyfriend for two and a half year and we have remained committed to each other even through the very hectic ANTM All Stars schedule. So, I am happily balancing my career with my love life.
Dominique: If you are passionate, you can have anything you want and the same goes for career and love. I have two children and I have been married for two years; my husband is my support and backbone and without him I will not be able to do what I am doing. So I don’t need to give up one for the other.
Now that you have been in Manila several days, would you come back to visit?
Allison: Most definitely! The Bench people have been so warm and gracious and they have made us feel so welcome.
Dominique: Of course! Maybe not just for a visit but even to live here! As an entertainer I see many opportunities and I love the Filipinos, so you never know.