About
The Reluctant Stylista is a fashion and lifestyle blog written by Alex Lapa--a once tomboyish girl who suddenly discovered the joys and perks of dressing up. Original illustrations by Paolo Lazatin.
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If you're looking for my styling work, you can browse blog entries tagged "work" and other related keywords. Drop me a line and let's see if our schedules will allow us to collaborate! It may take me some time to reply, though, as usually there's a lot of other things I juggle and I need to be doubly sure about my availability and resources before I commit.
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We won!
The Reluctant Stylista is proud to be a finalist and winner for two categories at The Philippine Blog Awards 2010: Best Beauty and Fashion Blog and Best Blog Design. Thank you to all who rooted for us!
Twitter Updates
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Running on 2 hours of sleep over 48 hours x_X
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Red bull and Toblerone. Sleep is for the weak!
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Room with a view part 2 http://t.co/6iwLQgPL
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Fishtail braid by @brent_sales http://t.co/ylVrdvzi
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Walang magawa sa dressing rm so instagram nalang. #xfactorph I look like a totoy. Carmi looks girlier than I http://t.co/3ABRDJM6
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Networks and Affiliates
“This is so Alex,” Noel Manapat remarked last night, while we were all viewing the photos of everyone’s sets and marveling at how each one looked so different from the other. Even our photographer that night, Jo Ann Bitagcol, agreed that our looks seemed like an extension of our own personal style (possibly based on what she’d seen of us so far, since it was our first time to meet her). And because my classmates, especially Nio and Jenny, kept exclaiming (repeatedly!) at how my set was so me, I ended up wondering why that was. I came to that shoot with a couple of shredded and cut up white t-shirts–I don’t remember ever going to class in such, and I said so. “Maybe not, but I can definitely see you as that girl,” Noel said, referring to the finished photo of the model I just styled.
What makes an ensemble sooo Alex? Why could they see it but I couldn’t?
Though I once wrote about finding your personal style, I don’t spend that much time thinking about it. And at this point in my life, there is little you can show me that I’d refuse to wear unless it were Lady Gaga-esque. Although I suppose it’s a bit different when it comes to things that I buy for myself (just because I can wear it doesn’t mean I’d buy it). I know what I like when I see it and that’s it for me. For example, I’ve always had a passion for vintage, things that look old and worn. This translated to my artworks and design in college that students and professors alike could almost always tell if something was an Alex Lapa production (as it was dubbed). In fashion, it translates to my accessory box full of dirty gold lockets, a lot of retro-styled charms, ornate rings and ropes of pearls.
- Black top, thrifted skirt, patterned tights (which I can safely say is really part of my style) and black pattened booties
I won’t claim that I love black, but I seem to wear a lot of it. And I don’t wear ornate stuff all the time. In fact, lately I’ve been going around the metro for weeks in my laidback outfit. Unfortunately, that included Philippine Fashion Week events where I was simply wearing a shirt + jeans + zebra brogues + red leather jacket. My Ice Watch was my only accessory.
At Freeway's Ramon Valera inspired collection launch. Another lazy outfit consisting of my trusty red leather jacket (thrifted), skinny jeans from Jag, peacock earrings, ornate silver necklace, vintage pearl ring.
Fishtail braid and peacock earrings (also a favorite). I like tying up my hair though people tell me repeatedly it looks better when it's down. I know it does, but it's also more...unruly.
I know that I also love structured, architectural pieces, though I don’t own anything of the sort. That’s why Ivarluski Aseron is my favorite local designer. I am also an avid fan of Vivienne Westwood and stylist Patricia Field. Do I look the type? I’m honestly not sure.
I know I love hats, but I only have a precious few. Below are some.
Equestrienne hat from What a Girl Wants. I rarely wear it, as there is not much in my closet that matches it safely. It's probably my only girly hat, too.
Gray knit cap from H&M, which I wear almost every time I go out now. Photo from Nio.
And yes, I know the Doc Martens are me, since I’ve practically made it into my everyday footwear like how some people would go about wearing their sneakers. And if there’s been any doubt left about my fondness for patterned hoisery, let me present further proof.
In my trusty DMs, patterned tights (which unfortunately, I CANNOT find anymore huhu) and knitted cape. For the record, I RARELY wear this nautical top. Photo from Bestie.
Personal style is tricky. There’s really a difference in what you love looking at, what you buy for yourself and what you actually get to wear. Maybe that’s what Noel meant when he observed that my styling last night looked like me. He’s never actually seen me in anything like that but I suppose it was just my personality showing through. At that point, I can’t help but agree, since after all, my concept was eco-chic meets badass post-apocalyptic–which I really dig. In retrospect, it is a very me idea, fashion aside. (I didn’t mention it out loud, but my look was also inspired by my fascination for zombies). I suppose the only thing left to do is to post about the shoot and ask you guys if the styling was obviously mine. It’d be better if you all guessed, but you’ve already seen the shirts I lovingly mutilated so that’d be pointless.
I’d end this post by sharing my personal fashion philosophy that I always try to adhere to: always wear something that tells a story. Even if it’s just casual wear, I like wearing something that usually people pick out, notice, or ask about. It could be some dorky earrings or a really geeky necklace. I think maybe the only exception to the rule is when you’re out for an ukay jaunt and you need to dress as plainly as possible. In that case, your story could be that you want to fade completely into the background unless appearing otherwise enables you awesome haggling powers.
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Hmmm im interested to see the photos from that shoot
Btw, I love your red leather jacket!!
Thanks Smarla! Kinikilig na nga ako eh, as my model is one of the hottest commodities in the local fashion scene. <3 Wheeee! I want to post the pics alreadyyyy but I don’t have them yet.
(I don’t want to use na my real name because I always see someone sharing my given name these days…)
Anyhoo…there was a time when CSB people kept saying, “That look is so Bea.” They’d normally point to a daring top. And I hated that so I wore Skechers everyday with baby tees. Now I’m always pa-girl because people tend to say I walk like Tiburcio. And now that you’re a stylist, it’s so hard to find something that wouldn’t look like I’m copying you because you seem to wear everything (even my rattiest clothes, you can turn into something nice when you combine them with other pieces).
So I want to try the power butch look…
Yun na nga eh, these days I’ll wear anything, really, so long as I can style and match it to fit me.
) But hey, it’s not like I haven’t been mistaken for a lesbian din no, and that was when I was still wearing skirts and dresses! Also, I know what you mean by CSB days. Back when you, mom and I were still sharing wardrobes, most of our tops were little things, tank tops and spaghetti straps. We’re small, thin girls, so it doesn’t bother us and if we had big clothes we’d probably drown in them. Nowadays though, I don’t care anymore. Loose, fit, androgynous, I’ll wear it! Haha!
Yeah, I think we gravitate towards a certain kind of look, which makes it our own personal style. I often define personal style as something you would choose on “default” if you’re lazy to think, in a hurry, or just plain need to go so somewhere everyday.
Like if Coco Chanel would just get something in tweed if she’s just going out to get smokes or you can tell that Jackie O was lazy to think of an outfit if she grabs her cardigan and glasses.
Oh, so true! I have default clothes that I wear–my gray lace dress from Promod, especially. That alone is high at cost per wear calculations. I treat it like an LBD. Oh and I’m always in boyfriend shirts pala.
For casual, I wear the peacock earrings and/or DMs, and/or my leather jacket and I’m set. Wow I featured all of those ‘cept the gray dress and bf shirts here in this single post. This is actually a post about all my lazy outfits. LOL
love your hats!!!:) you look great alex!=)
Thanks Aisa!
I need more hats!
I wish I can do more hats too but it’s so hot! The closest I can get to are hair pieces or headbands, so I’ll be channeling Blair Waldorf.
I know! I wish we had hat weather more often
ohh! lovely photos hun! cant wait to seee the photos!
Taradiddles of style on a budget
Thanks Missy!
I really like the equestrienne hat you were wearing in one of the photos above.
Yeah, wish more shops here would sell lovely hats like that, but they’re pretty rare.
RELUCTANT STYLISTA: FEATURED IN http://waistline32.wordpress.com/
Hey Alex! I think this is the perfect post to comment in and show everyone that I featured you in my blogroll. Don’t be surprised if you get a surge of web traffic from my Geekania friends. We are infinitely proud of girls like you.
I’m glad that fashion shows the individuality of a person. I am still in that fickle stage where I’m desperately trying to look normal yet trying out my own style. And I’m already 24!