All we want in life is to wear the most peculiar outfit idea we can pull out from our closets, pose a little in front of the mirror, and wear them proudly until we step out of the door. But we all know the third part is easier said than done. On days like these, a little scroll on Instagram might just do the trick, as proven by these four stylish kids we found in the platform.
In a space full of OOTDs, Gabriella, Bea, Luke, and Pao bring something new to the table. We’re not talking about your run-of-the-mill, casual looks. Aside from having both the head-turning confidence and head-turning wardrobe, these promising style icons exude distinct personalities in the pieces they wear, may it be a cult-inspired black dress or lime green-colored overalls. We had the chance to ask them stuff, and we didn’t hold back.
@gabriella.moi
It’s a given: in a room full of people, it’s easy to notice Gabriella Moi Diego’s magnetic looks first. But it won’t end there. You’ll approach and ask Gabriella—also known as @gabriella.moi on Instagram—on how to flaunt one’s ‘fits, because this production design major-slash-makeup artist does it all too well: ghoulish guise today, cyberpunk realness tomorrow, and all things anime before you know it. Want to know what’s going down in another dimension? Check @gabriella.moi’s looks.
In public, I get mistaken as ___?
A foreign tourist. Sometimes, people get surprised when I speak in Tagalog.
Describe yourself as a track from your Discover Weekly playlist.
I went to my Discover Weekly playlist and immediately fell in love with Lolo Zouaï’s “Desert Rose.” It gives off a sensual but upbeat vibe, and I’m all for it.
Growing up trans, [Oblina from “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters”] did help me realize that being different and looking different are okay.
Name three IG accounts you search for a ’fit inspo.
@melovemealot, @g__rrr, @pewgene.
Which ’90s Nick character started your fashion journey?
Though I’m not a big Nickelodeon fan when I was a kid, I’d say Oblina from “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” caught my attention. I wouldn’t say she influenced my sense of fashion, but growing up trans, she did help me realize that being different and looking different are okay.
Read more: Eunpyon collaborates with The Starving Artist on capsule collection
Which fashion trend is your secret pet peeve?
I’d say you do you, 100 percent. But please, don’t bring back the low-rise jeans trend, it’s transphobic! [laughs] Kidding.
Which fashion trend is your low-key guilty pleasure?
Windbreakers! Some people think it’s ugly, but for me it’s a complete look, especially when you’re feeling a bit lazy to put together an outfit.
Out of all the brands (homegrown or not), which reps you better than most?
I honestly can’t think of a specific brand ’cause I get my clothes from everywhere. If I needed to suggest something, that’ll be ukay. They have the widest array of clothing, plus it’s cheap.
If fashion is a statement, what does your everyday look say?
“Yeah, I’m cute.”
@garcongirl_
If you could attend the same class as Bea Ticsay—also known as @garcongirl_—you’d drop everything just to be her seatmate. A clothing technology graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Bea’s outfits are matches made beyond heaven. The layering game is fine as hell, neutral colors look their freakin’ best, and the most unlikely pairings suddenly become a steal. And oh, the pieces are memorable to boot (we’re digging the bucket hat with a rainbow flower). So, is @garcongirl_ your favorite girl yet?
In public, I get mistaken as _?
Minori Nakada from “Terrace House.” Or so I would like to think, I’m a big fan!
Describe yourself as a track from your Discover Weekly playlist.
“I Go” by Hanhae.
Name three IG accounts you search for a ’fit inspo.
@realllllmino, @hiyadam, and @mignonettetakespictures.
[My guilty pleasure is] pleated trousers that old dads usually wear. The bigger pleats, the better!
Which ’90s Nick character started your fashion journey?
They aren’t Nick characters, but I’d go with the girls from “Totally Spies.” They helped me realize my interest in clothing and fashion.
Which fashion trend is your secret pet peeve?
Feathered headbands with small top hats on them. They were a trend back in 2009.
Which fashion trend is your low-key guilty pleasure?
Pleated trousers that old dads usually wear. The bigger pleats, the better!
Read more: This 19-year-old designer makes hand-stitched pieces from ukay finds
Out of all the brands (homegrown or not), which reps you better than most?
Definitely @anoto__ on IG.
If fashion is a statement, what does your everyday look say?
“Who do you want to be today?”
@thirdworldbb
Photographer Martie Villaester; Designer Robert Andrew Hiyas
Luke Quismondo, better known on Instagram as @thirdworldbb, doesn’t fit into one mold, and proudly so. While other style enthusiasts have their go-to influence, Luke’s style personas differ here and there—one day it’s Jean Paul Gaultier, and the next could be Carl Jan Cruz (who has recently made Luke his muse). The eclectic fashion of @thirdworldbb has appeared on the Cebu-based zine HEAD, featuring an androgynous flair. It’s a little bit of everything, but it’s still all Luke.
Fill in the blanks: In public, I get mistaken for as _?
No one in particular. They see me, and by the look of their eyes, I know they’re yelling, “WTF!”
Describe yourself as a track from your Discover Weekly playlist.
“Chapel of Love” by Bette Midler and “Not Such An Innocent Girl” by Victoria Beckham.
Read more: This fashion ed transforms the mundane through film
Name three IG accounts you search for a ’fit inspo.
They’re @pechuga_vintage, @carljancruz, and @un_romantico_a_firenze.
Photo Renzo Navarro; Designer Carl Jan Cruz
Which ’90s Nick character started your fashion journey?
She’s not quite from the ’90s, but it would have to be Stephanie and her iconic pink wig from “Lazy Town.”
They see me, and by the look of their eyes, I know they’re yelling, “WTF!”
Which fashion trend is your secret pet peeve?
Neoprene!
Which fashion trend is your low-key guilty pleasure?
Boilersuits and animal prints.
Out of all the brands (homegrown or not), which reps you better than most?
Two entirely different brands I absolutely love are for my entirely different style personas: Carl Jan Cruz and Jean Paul Gaultier.
If fashion is a statement, what does your everyday look say?
“Take a look, it’s good for you.”
@pao.______
When scanning through Pao Mendoza’s Instagram feed, you’ll easily find a motif that defines the foundations of Pao’s aesthetic. Garbed in black from head-to-toe (yes, literally head-to-toe), Pao shows why monochrome fashion is a textbook look—I mean, who hasn’t heard of the “little black dress”? All black serves some strong points: it’s sleek, it’s stylish, with a lil’ bit of demonic cult vibes that’s guilty as charged, but unapologetic.
In public, I get mistaken as ___?
A part of some kind of a demonic cult. LOL!
Describe yourself as track from your Discover Weekly playlist.
It would be definitely Mutya Buena’s song, “Real Girl.”
Read more: Express yourself: Three young queer creatives on style and identity
Name three IG accounts you search for a ’fit inspo.
@lilygatins, @michelelamy_, and @hwahwalala.
Which ’90s Nick character started your fashion journey?
Ay, wala po kaming cable dati, eh! [laughs] I have to go with Oblina from the show “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters.”
I may dress up like a cult member, but I’m friendly and I like iced coffee.
Which fashion trend is your secret pet peeve?
Slip-on shoes.
Which fashion trend is your low-key guilty pleasure?
I’m definitely still into mesh tops and bodysuits.
Out of all the brands (homegrown or not), which reps you better than most?
It’s a mixture of Rick Owens, Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela, and Yohji Yamamoto.
If fashion is a statement, what does your everyday look say?
I may dress up like a cult member, but I’m friendly and I like iced coffee.
Interviews by Rogin Losa
Written by Katrina Maisie Cabral and Jelou Galang
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