Cover Discover how the Philippines’ most stylish transform fashion into identity, legacy, purpose and advocacy (Illustration: Nikki Duldulao)
Discover how the Philippines’ most stylish transform fashion into identity, legacy, purpose and advocacy (Illustration: Nikki Duldulao)
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From heritage to queer pride, Asia’s Most Stylish honourees in the Philippines reveal what dressing with purpose means
Style is more than a surface-level pursuit. At its best, it is intention made visible—a quiet assertion of identity, values and vision. This is the essence of Asia’s Most Stylish (AMS), Tatler’s annual roll call of individuals whose presence is felt not only in what they wear, but in what they stand for.
In a world where trends come and go, purpose endures. To dress with meaning is to recognise that every choice—fabric, silhouette, provenance—tells a story. This year’s AMS honourees prove that when fashion is grounded in purpose, it becomes something greater than beauty. It becomes legacy.
Read more: Asia’s Most Stylish 2025: meet the Filipino fashion icons of elegance, heritage and reinvention
Fe Rodriguez champions preservation through her wardrobe. “I am heartened when I chance upon the opportunity to buy things that will perpetuate what are often dying traditional crafts,” she shares. For Rodriguez, clothing is more than ornamentation—it is cultural inheritance, carried proudly into the present.
For Lolo Drip, style is identity laid bare. “To me, the way you dress is an expression of who you are. Style is not about copying others—it is about carrying your own identity with pride,” he says. His perspective is refreshingly unpretentious: fashion as freedom, fashion as selfhood.
For real-life couple Ruru Madrid and Bianca Umali, style becomes a shared philosophy of authenticity and intention. “Style with purpose means wearing something that says something. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about knowing why you chose it, what it represents and what kind of energy you want to put out,” says Ruru. Bianca echoes this sentiment, adding: “Style with purpose, for me, is when fashion stops being just clothing and becomes a reflection of who you are. It's about wearing pieces that speak your truth, that make you feel like the most beautiful, confident and authentic self, never like you're trying to be someone else.”
Read more: Fashion and influence intertwine at Asia’s Most Stylish launch in the Philippines
Purpose and presentation intertwine for Charmaine Lagman. “Style is how I present myself to the world—intentional, composed and confident. Purpose is the reason behind it. I don’t dress just to look good—I dress to reflect who I am, what I stand for, and where I’m going.”
For Max Collins, fashion is a canvas for storytelling. “It means wearing who you are, not just what's ‘in’. It's about aligning how you dress with who you want to be perceived,” she says. “When done with intention, it becomes more than fashion, it becomes a statement.”
Photographer Jo Ann Bitagcol ties style directly to conscience. To her, “it means having a good heart—choosing to support sustainable brands, honour artisans and uplift communities.” Every purchase becomes an act of advocacy.
Read more: What is real style?
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee offers a layered perspective, blending cultural resonance with personal symbolism. “That’s why I’m meticulous with every detail, because I know there’s always an opportunity to inspire. Whether it’s a young Filipina or Filipino seeing themselves in a look that reflects our roots, or someone finding strength in how I carry myself, I never take that for granted. Style with purpose isn’t about being seen. It’s about choosing what’s worth showing.”
For Atasha Muhlach, purpose is empowerment made wearable. “Style with purpose is not just about whether the outfit or style looks good—It’s styling yourself to reflect your personal identity, empower or inspire confidence within your day. It goes beyond just the aesthetic and is a creative expression.”
For celebrated photographer BJ Pascual, fashion is inseparable from advocacy. “A lot of my advocacies are for the LGBTQIA+ community. I dress queer with pride, and support queer creatives when I can.” His style is declaration as much as it is decoration.
Finally, Annette Gozon Valdes emphasises integrity. “It means aligning how you dress with your values and choosing pieces that reflect who you are and what you stand for,” she says. For her, elegance is not an act—it is alignment.
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Syrah is Tatler Philippines’ Power & Purpose editor, where she spotlights extraordinary journeys shaping the Philippines and Asia. She covers business, innovation, impact, and culture—chasing the people, ideas and forces shaping how we live and think today.
