Shop girl

Louis Vuitton calls her a "valued client." Her closets are lined with Goyard, Dior, Hermes and just about every must-have label that’s been mentioned on the cover of Vogue. In between shopping jaunts abroad, she’s busy working on her music or going to school. Yes, you heard right.

YStyle is shining the spotlight on someone who turns shopping — that much-vaunted hobby all YStyle readers wish they could pursue full time — into a major sport. Instead of a trophy, her winnings come in the form of Balenciaga bags or Manolo pumps.

This shopaholic happens to be in high school. Only 17, she spends weekdays, like most girls, immersed in her studies. A self-confessed closet bookworm (she buries her nose in "countless works of great thinkers such as Nietzsche, Sartre and Kierkegaard"), she aspires to have a singing career. Only yesterday she had a guest performance at a Sam Milby concert. But, during weekends, the glasses come off and she’s busy partying at Embassy with a cadre of well-dressed friends till the wee hours of the morn.

Who is she? To the uninitiated, she’s the girl you’ll find at Louis Vuitton most weekends. To friends, she’s Tara Tambunting.

"On the surface, I’m deemed a trend-setter, a socialite — a girl who enjoys being the center of attention," she says. "But I’m very misunderstood. I say and do a lot of things which people take the wrong way."

No doubt girls her own age are jealous of Tara’s belongings, which could easily be mistaken as the loot of a Marcos kin. But there’s nothing ill-begotten about any of the pricey goods that litter her bedroom floor. Tara’s parents foot the bill for all her expenses.

"My favorite shopping partner would have to be my dad," she shares. "He finds it really hard to say no to me so I usually get away with spending on things. My mom lands a close second as she’s the parent who leans more towards practicality."

Despite her obsession with all things stamped with initials, Tara is far from flighty. She knows how she comes off and wants to correct her image. "People see me as a party-girl drowning in excess. They don’t hesitate to pass their judgment; failing to see that I am so much more than that."

When asked how the people around her would react to this spread, she’s quick to respond, "My immediate family and friends will love it but people who don’t know me will definitely take this the wrong way."

"Apart from my indefatigable love for fashion and art, I pride myself on being a poet, an intellectual and a musician; music being my ultimate release," she adds. "I write my own music and get the pleasure of performing my pieces to different audiences."

"I constantly strive to break convention in an otherwise nihilistic, unfeeling world," Tara says. "Suffice to say, this is me and I would rather be hated for who I am; than loved for who I am not."

YStyle takes a closer look at Tara Tambunting’s shopping life and finds out what it’s like to live in the lap of luxury.

Describe your style.

As a child, I wanted to be Madonna or a member of The Spice Girls. So you can just imagine how I used to dress… not a pretty picture! Now I think my style has toned down a whole lot more. None of those sky-high platform boots, if you know what I mean.

Who are the designers you look up to?

Internationally, there’s Karl (Lagerfeld), Marc (Jacobs), Nicholas (Ghesquiere), Stella (McCartney) and the ladies behind Marchesa (Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig). And of course, our very own Monique Lhuillier. They are modern-day revolutionaries! In the local fashion industry, I adore Ivar (Aseron) and Hindy (Tantoco). As for accessories, I love me some Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Goyard, Hermes and Balenciaga.

Whose style do you admire most?      

My grand aunt, Tereret Tambunting-Liboro, has an amazing fashion sense. She’s 70-something yet still embodies "effortless chic." I swear that woman could make a sack look good! And, of course, Audrey Hepburn. Watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s and you’ll see what I mean.

Where and how often do you shop?

I shop like hell after a painful break-up. Does that explain a lot? (laughs) Or whenever I feel the need for a lift. No, I do not shop every single day! It’s more like once a week. 

Locally, you’d most likely spot me at Greenbelt 4, where I buy most of my accessories; Tyler and People are People for clothing; Rustan’s for just about everything; and any bookstore.

My favorite international shopping destination would have to be Hong Kong. Hands down! Be sure to check out Joyce, Lane Crawford, Harvey Nichols and, of course, Hong Kong’s countless night markets. Last and most definitely not the least, any Louis Vuitton store in the world. Pardon me for loving my labels!

Give me an estimate: How many bags and shoes do you own?

A lot more than I should…

What are your favorites?

My blue jean 35-cm. Hermes Kelly purchased from Hermes at The Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong. Apart from the fact that I didn’t get waitlisted for it, it holds a lot of sentimental value for me. I clearly remember finding the bag with someone special to me at the time. As for shoes, my favorite would have to be my black Manolo Blahnik pumps. They go with absolutely anything. And how could I forget my Louis Vuitton limited edition monogram cerise Speedy?! It served me really well.

What was your first designer purse?

I honestly don’t know. All I remember is being raised in Baby Dior so it could’ve been Dior or maybe Ferragamo (a favorite of my mom’s when I was younger). The first designer bag I actually remember getting was the Louis Vuitton monogram canvas pochette from my dad. I think it was a gift for my ninth or 10th birthday and I didn’t think much of it at the time (Vuittons weren’t as expensive then).

Largest amount of money you spent in one go? Did you regret it?

I haven’t any idea. I’m just sure that I didn’t regret it.

Who do you shop with?

My dad and mom. I particularly enjoy shopping with a friend of mine, Danny, who works as a personal shopper at Rustan’s Makati and has a killer fashion sense to match. Other than that, I prefer shopping alone because it helps me focus more. Yes, I need focus. Shopping is an art, my darlings!

How do your parents feel about your shopping habits?

I’d imagine that they aren’t very happy about it. What sane person would be?

What bag are you currently drooling over?

I’ve always wanted an Hermes Birkin in whatever leather, 40-cm in lime green or fuchsia pink. I do plan to get one but not at the moment. You see, I haven’t been a very good girl lately…

Do you attend sales?

Sure! Sales are great actually but then I do feel bad sometimes when high-end designer brands go on sale. The reason my mother and I love Vuitton so much is because they never have sales so you never get the painful feeling of being cheated (for lack of a better word). For example, I buy a bag today and see someone else carrying the exact same bag next week boasting about how he/she got it for a mere fraction of the original price. Ouch!

Do you ever look back at some of the things you purchased and just wince and go, "What was I thinking?"

Oh god, don’t we all?! I have a closet filled with them.

What was your best purchase?

My black Louis trench coat that goes with anything.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I plan to go to university in America and take up music, fashion or philosophy.

More importantly, who do you want to wear when you grow up? Is there a label or designer that you think you can’t pull off yet?

Of course not! I personally believe that style knows no age. That said, I still want to age beautifully in Oscar de la Renta and Chanel nonetheless.

What’s the one thing money can’t buy?

Love… Believe me, if it could, I’d have given up everything…