Chat Almarvez is movin’ on up.
Discovered at 16, roaming the Sta. Cruz Laguna Anilag Festival, the Laguna native went on to win a model search (just first runner-up at the Ford Supermodel of the World in 2010). Since then, she’s walked 63 runway shows in New York and London.
At the ripe old age of 20, the supermodel — and YStyle fave (she’s starred in numerous editorials since she was 16) — even earned a place on this season’s Abercrombie & Fitch campaign, shot by Bruce Weber.
The New York-based teen recently moved to Queens after the stress-inducing location of her previous residence. “I lived in Times Square,†she says with a wince. “Too many people, too loud,†she explained in Filipino.
The mild-mannered model, who was accompanied by her parents before heading to Escolta, the steaming hot location of this week’s YStyle shoot, wanted peace and quiet in between hectic go-sees and shoots. “Plus, I get to live with my relatives,†she adds.
Weight is still an issue for the willow-limbed Chat, who likes eating Pinoy food as much as the next growing teen. Chat, who straddles a size 2-6, has been told to slim down to a zero or two. Carbs — rice, junk food — is the enemy. “It’s hard,†she admits, but tries her best to stay in fighting weight.
These days, Almarvez, who is in Manila to walk at the previous Fashion Week, is focused on fixing her US visa — “Work permits are tricky,†she tells us — so she can get back to the grind.