Framed in style: how two fashion tastemakers elevate every look with eyewear

Borromeo, on the other hand, is another fashion-forward multi-hyphenate. As an innate creative soul, her passions span retail, travel, gardens and home styling. She hosts private trunk shows and curated brand experiences, and has recently returned to publishing through Tatler Travel—a project that perfectly reflects her interests. Beyond her lifestyle work, Borromeo is deeply involved in her community, leading household skills training programmes for kasambahays, a role she finds especially meaningful. 

Their friendship, much like their personal style, has evolved over the years. “Mia and I developed a friendship which has lasted so many years because we have so much in common. We both love to eat, drink, travel, shop and just hang out over a glass of bubbly,” explains Rodriguez. “I got to know Tita Fe over the years through her son, Junie, who is a dear friend and collaborator. Since way back then, our own friendship has evolved,” Borromeo comments, sprinkling more colour to their story. 

These ladies both sparkle with vibrancy in their everyday wear, donning billowing kaftans, juicy colour palettes or eye-catching monochromatic sets that uplift the energy in a room. “My look is an expression of my personality. I take inspiration from social media, magazines and fashion that I see on social occasions and even in the streets,” Rodriguez expounds. “Eyewear is a necessity for me as I need it for reading,” she adds. When something is a necessity in life, it is the perfect opportunity to make it your own—a chance to define your stylish signature. “I need sunglasses to keep away the glare of the sun as I go to the beach every week. I wear it all day, so it must not only look nice but must fit well,” she shares, further emphasising how important eyewear is in her life. 

Borromeo echoes the sentiment. “I normally start my day with a walk outside, so sunglasses are literally a must for me. I really rarely leave home without sunglasses,” she says.

She also reflects on her evolving personal style. Today, Borromeo gravitates towards colour, softer silhouettes, florals and a lot of accessories. “Whether it’s about setting the table or dressing, I find it more fun to play with patterns and colours, to mix new and vintage pieces and to layer accessories. It allows me to create different looks, transforming clothes I have had for years depending on my mood.” Like Rodriguez, she considers accessories indispensable: “Eyewear for me is like earrings, I feel naked without them. It’s as if something is missing if I don’t have them on.”

When it comes to taking risks and discovering your personal style, both women encourage openness and experimentation; their bottom line is to have fun with fashion. “Nowadays, there are really no rules when it comes to fashion. Everyone is free to express themselves as they wish. This applies to eyewear, too. It’s really just about trying different styles on and seeing what suits you best,” Borromeo advises.

Rodriguez agrees, emphasising the joy of choice. “When I go to an eyewear boutique, it must offer a variety of styles,” she states, underscoring the importance of diversity and the importance of playing with fashion. When shopping, she takes pleasure in the process of it all, slowly and intentionally deciding what to wear. At Vision Express, they take great pride in being able to offer clients a range of elegant options, catering to a range of desires and every stylish whim. “[Eyewear is] a fashion item that can give you the boost to make you look fashionable, glam and confident,” Rodriguez emphasises. 

Eyewear, much like friendship, is deeply personal and reflects who we are. For Rodriguez and Borromeo, it is far more than a functional necessity; it is a canvas for self-expression, a confidence booster and a way to navigate the world with style. “Good friends are like natural vitamins; being with them boosts your day. True friends are a blessing, they make life more fun, interesting and meaningful,” Borromeo shares gleefully. Celebrated for their vibrant palettes and unmistakable eyewear, the two friends embody the joy that fashion brings, especially when style becomes a shared language between kindred spirits. Vision Express helps enable these relationships and make meaningful fashion choices possible. The right pair of glasses transforms not just an outfit, but the wearer, infusing confidence, elegance and individuality into every moment.

To further explore the world of Vision Express or to book an eye exam, visit this link: visionexpressph.short.gy/EyeExamTatler 

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