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
posted 15 hours ago. -
Red bull and Toblerone. Sleep is for the weak!
posted 2 days ago. -
Room with a view part 2 http://t.co/6iwLQgPL
posted 2 days ago. -
Fishtail braid by @brent_sales http://t.co/ylVrdvzi
posted 2 days ago. -
Walang magawa sa dressing rm so instagram nalang. #xfactorph I look like a totoy. Carmi looks girlier than I http://t.co/3ABRDJM6
posted 2 days ago.
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Networks and Affiliates
There’s a reason why I love styling for photoshoots the best. There’s always room to correct an error, adjust accordingly and you can easily hide imperfections with the use of clamps, double tape or ever-reliable Photoshop.
Not so when it comes to styling for TV shows and especially celebrities. The pressure is triple because there are thousands, millions of viewers who are going to see the outcome of your decisions in the dressing room. The audience gets a 360 view of the outfit you chose and if anything goes wrong or is noticeably out of place, it will immediately reflect on your client because that’s who the people are seeing. You never want that. For a stylist, it’s the stuff of nightmares.
But if one really wants to learn about styling, there’s no route more perfect to discipline and focus when it comes to TV and celebrity styling. Your aesthetics become more polished and you’re more careful when you’re dressing someone whose public image is career-making or breaking. Sure, I can dance around my own blog or Chictopia in outfits that I constantly experiment with and I can be adventurous because I have literally nothing to lose. But this kind of mindset spoils you in a way. When styling for someone else, you double and triple check your fashion decisions.
What I’ve learned in the past few weeks:
1. Be aware of your client’s brand. Is the client currently endorsing a product or brand? You have to take note of this. It is absolutely essential that you steer clear from rival brands or perhaps any local product for that matter.
2. Always bring options. This is a given of course, as no one really goes to a shoot or taping without options. You may not get the time to fit your client before the actual event.
3. It pays to know who else is appearing with your client. If you know the other artists appearing alongside your client on a regular basis, you get to familiarize yourself with their own brands and position your client accordingly. Find out if it is necessary for your client to stand out or if they should all have similar levels of sophistication but different approaches.
4. Have a fashion plan. What the client wears is obviously vital to his/her image. But exactly what image is he/she supposed to project? You will constantly need to consult everyone on his/her team, especially the other stylists such as hair and make-up and his/her network management. Sometimes, us new stylists have these high fashion aspirations that are great, but really, not all of them will fit a client. Noel Manapat gave me a perfect example: Oprah Winfrey. Always well-dressed and coiffed, but these elements are never overpowering. Sometimes, it’s not about the clothes, but it’s the personality that will have to shine utmost. Sometimes, the goal is not to create a new fashion icon for the industry. Sometimes, simpler is better for people whose name already brings much weight into the equation. Know what it is you’re selling and dammit, stick to it!
Celebrity stylist, Noel Manapat
Pretty makeup artist Carmi, PA Puffy, and hairstylist from Symmetria
6. In Anna Wintour’s words, “People respond well to someone who’s sure of what they want.” That’s why you have to do your homework always days in advance so you’re more surefooted. You can’t appear half-assed to a client or they will never trust the handling of their image to you. Of course, you don’t need to lie and charm your client falsely–but if you have to make adjustments, do it methodically and as professionally as you can. Do not make unnecessary comments. At the end of the day, know that this is business.
7. Know your audience. Make sure you’re dressing your client appropriately for who’s watching. Make sure his/her outfit fits the nature of the show.
8. Know the set. Make sure you’re not dressing your client in colors that will drown in a particular set. Is the camera crew using chroma green (are there going to be graphics and animation in the scene)? Then stay away from stripes and green-colored outfits.
9. Be meticulous. Unlike the average person who doesn’t care about wrinkles and tucks caused by movement, it’s not that way with TV. Always have your portable stylist kit with you (double tape, pins, thread, needles, scissors). When it’s time for breaks or commercials, you only have a few minutes to make sure everything is perfect: tuck in whatever needs to be tucked (untucked tops add unwanted bulges which you don’t want to be mistaken for fat), check for wayward threads or fabric, straighten skirts and pants. Make sure everything is falling correctly.
10. Know your local designers. You cannot always dress your client in retail, and even if you have to, you always have to make sure that it’s almost unrecognizable. Layer and CUT if you have to. I don’t care if it costs five thousand or ten thousand, if it looks better, you do it. The best way to go about dressing your client in one-of-a-kind outfits is to have it custom-made. Hence, know your designers. Study their work, review the collections paraded at Philippine Fashion Week. Thank the heavens for Stylebible.ph’s directory–it’s how I stalk them.
super false talaga that being a stylist is a glamorous job. there are a lot of factors to be considered whenever you’re styling for a celeb. After all, they need to look perfect on cam
i like kc’s black & white outfit, it’s simple but chic!
btw, di ko kinaya, nameet mo na si tito boy, *starstruck* hehe
I don’t have any photos with them nga eh, in fear of appearing unprofessional. Haha! KC had a lot more great outfits I wasn’t able to document, sayang.
Next time! I especially loved what she wore on SCQ’s pilot episode.
Hey Alex! Congratulations on winning the Philippine Blog Awards. I didn’t see your sister then. Well, actually, I saw her but I didn’t see her afterwards so I wasn’t able to talk to her na! Great Job! Congrats. Hope to see you guys soon!! =)
Thanks Kinney! I wish I’d been there. Yeah, we haven’t seen each other in a while.
Hope to bump into you soon and catch up! 
Sayang nga eh! But I was super proud of you!! Haha. Really great site
Btw Alex, are you studying Fashion Styling? I super want to study too =) as in you inspire me =)
Yes I did! I studied in School of Fashion and the Arts and Designer Fashion Workshops at the Tan-Gan Workshops in STI. Now I’m too busy with internships, but I really loved the experience! You have to have a lot of free time, though, as sometimes you’re brought to shoots during weekdays in the case of SoFA. In DFW we went to fashion events during weekends, so that might be better for you.
Sige, will see. Sana I get to have free time to take those!! hehe =)
Hi, Kinney! Wah, I didn’t get to see you. I was actually feeling a bit sick that day and I wanted hot soup. Haha!
Talaga? It wasn’t obvious naman! And you looked great =)
Thanks! Sana I saw you talaga that day.
Been looking for familiar faces eh.
Ako rin! Haha =)
I noticed that KC is big boned but she has a very nice figure (hourglass). Great job on highlighting those features.
She has a very nice figure nga, she reminded me of Scar Jo when I saw her in person.
)
You’re learning pretty quick and have written exactly as you’ve described to me – meaning, you’ve absorbed them all in your heart. My! the job seemed glam to me at first – but this is hard work and a little of everything including brand marketing. No one will last in this kind of job unless it’s truly a passion – Great Job!
i completely agree with this post, especially since we’ve worked with her before
but no matter the “stress”, being surrounded by nice supportive people make everything seem lighter. happy styling!
xx
heyrocketgirl
Love the styling!
Also, congrats on winning the Philippine Blog Awards.
Thank you!
Two words that describe what I’m feeling right now: star-struck.
Hehe! I know I should get a photo with them one of these days, but I have a fear of looking unprofessional.
)
Shared this in my blog.
http://jr16thnote.tabulas.com/
Love it! It seems like you’re adding something to her personality given the styling that you guys do for her. I am so excited about your blooming new career. As what I’ve been telling you, wag mo kami kalimutan pag next level ka na. Charot!
Also, do you know that if you search for “celebrity styling” on Google, this post shows up SECOND in the search results?
First time I checked your blog this year. I think its great that you’re styling (is that a word?) for KC Concepcion. That’s a good crew to be in. Maganda ang exposure nya kasi I actually know her (hahaha), since I can barely count on one hand today’s 30-below actress that I can actually name. I don’t watch local TV on protest because I still think they sell the swill that is mediocrity… addicting to masses and funny enough, our future generation’s eductation. Pero si KC conducts herself with intellegence and elegance, and in some small “fashion” part, kasama ka din dun! hehehe
She looks like a throw back to the classic beauties though I can’t pin point the decade. Refreshing change from the chinita-mestiza-v-shaped haircut cut out girls, who I think should just be presenting “the prize at stake” at some gameshow rather than talking and/or God-forbid, acting (had to take our dear Grandma to watch Enteng Kabisote kasi request… Ginusto ko mag mala characters ng ibon adarna except ung labaha sa pulso ang laslas).
Happy New Year! Congratulations!
OMG… Please please please tell me the brand of KC’s black trousers? PLEASE?
They were made for her by Joey Samson
Hi ms. alex first time kung nandito sa blog mo…ikaw pala ang stylist ni KC..i really love her dress/clothes during Dbuzz etc.so different from other actress…palagi siyang nangunguna sa style..ginagaya panga eh..i love it..
keep it up ms. alex…good luck sa job mo..
great tips y0u have there! I want t0 be a celebrity stylist in the future but I think it’s c0mplicated but fun…! ^_^
I’m f0LL0wing y0u. ^_^
Please f0LL0w 0ur bL0gs:
http://fashionmoto.blogspot.com/
and
http://fashionmoto.tumblr.com/
Thank y0u! ^_^