Leaders of the pack
MANILA, Philippines - The late Diana Vreeland once remarked, “A really well-dressed woman is someone who grips the imagination on sight.” Whatever direction her style tastes run, the well-dressed gal brings conviction to her look, as her fashion sense is tied up with her identity — and that is the root of that oft-repeated advice about basing personal style on comfort, and how feeling good also means looking good.
Fashion magazine Mega understands well the connection between fashion and self-image, so for their 2011 roster of the most stylish women in the country, the magazine identified 11 women whose tastes and aesthetic could not be any more different from one another; yet each captivates fashion scene followers in their own way. As Mega deputy editor Meryll Yan puts it, “We (highlighted) the fashion tribes and the people who identify with certain styles.”
“Tribes” is the right word. With the women’s personal styles ranging from bohemian to edgy to urban, Mega’s Most Stylish list further changes up; the notion that being well-dressed strictly means subscribing to the Audrey Hepburn-wannabe philosophy of dressing up, that style is not always about being safe and classic. “We believe that fashion should be inclusive,” says Yan.
To emphasize the coming together of these fashion tribes that are headed by individuals who represent them best, Mega’s Most Stylish were photographed for the magazine’s recent issue with friends and colleagues who reflect the women’s personal styles.
Heading the list — and the edgy pack — is celebrity stylist Pam Quiñones, whose ability to take in the latest runway trends and translate them into more publicly palatable looks in her work has earned her well-deserved clout in the industry. Representing the underground fashion movement are models Ornusa Cadness and Sanya Smith, modern-day poster girls for the rock and roll fashion and lifestyle. Dermatologist Aivee Aguilar-Teo and jewelry designer Candy Dizon embody glamour, a style befitting women as accomplished as they are. Luxury, a style that Mega equates with indulgence and having the best of the best, is represented by socialite Salome Uy and her three shelves full of Hermés. Designer Hindy Tantoco personifies the individual-minded bohemian style, with her penchant for combining the past with contemporary fashion, both in her work and her personal look. Fellow designer Camille Co gains acclaim for dressing sweetly and daintily, a style that has made girly elements acceptable in grown-up fashion. Socialite Liz Almoro knows the value of investing in timeless pieces, hence her very classic style. Rounding out the list are models Sarah Meier and Vicky Herrera, whose urban stylings are reflective of the fast-paced changes in street fashion.
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