Carla Gem Buyo

Behind The Scenes: Here’s How We Styled Alex Eala’s Metro Cover Looks

Article (news)

<p><strong>Alex Eala</strong>’s homecoming in the Philippines felt like an uplifting conclusion to her historic Wimbledon run this year. The sensational tennis star just became the first tennis player from the Philippines to make it to the sixteenth round of a Grand Slam singles tournament. Her growing success in tennis feels like a much-needed win for Filipinos around the world! It was only fitting to not only give her a hero’s welcome but to capture her momentous streak in style. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784708960340Alex.jpg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Alex Eala Photographed by Artu Nepomuceno | Styled by Carla Buyo and Randz Manucom, Assisted by Sophia Ancheta"/><span class="fr-inner">Photographed by Artu Nepomuceno | Styled by Carla Buyo and Randz Manucom, Assisted by Sophia Ancheta</span></span></span></div><p>For her first exclusive <strong>Metro</strong> feature, we styled the Pinay pride in<strong></strong> Vania Romoff and Mark Bumgarner<strong></strong>. Embracing the theme of femininity and flowers including the <em>sampaguita</em>, Alex dons creations from two esteemed Filipino designers as an extension to the Filipino nuances she continues to bring with her on the court.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784709069358BANNERS.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Inside the ateliers of Mark Bumgarner and Vania Romoff | Photos from Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><p>Her first look is a voluminous <strong>Vania Romoff </strong>skirt paired with a delicate smocked top, hand sewn with <em>sampaguita</em> appliqués made from satin ribbons—a symbol Alex continuously chooses to embrace during her tennis matches. For the shoot, Alex wore her sampaguita Nike hair tie once more!</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:782px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784709135800embed_Metro Homecoming Special Alex Eala 8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Alex Eala wearing Vania Romoff</span></span></span></div><p>Alex then wears a sleek black gown by <strong>Mark Bumgarner</strong>, softened with cascading orchid motifs along the waist. The look showcases both Alex’s beauty and strength—qualities she embodies gracefully on and off the court.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784709159819embed_Metro Homecoming Special Alex Eala 24.png" style="width:960px;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Alex Eala wearing Mark Bumgarner</span></span></span></div><p>As for jewels, it felt right to honor Alex’s love for our National Flower and to pay homage to the sport she became known for through diamond tennis settings.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17847093242794.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">The pieces I selected for Alex Eala | Photos from Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><p>Styled with the Vania ensemble, Alex wears pieces from <strong>Sofia Yulo Fine Jewelry</strong> including a modern two-tone diamond tennis bracelet, drop diamond earrings and a bee-motif ear cuff, and the unreleased <em>Eden Earrings</em> in the shape of a flower. </p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784709213581embed_Metro Homecoming Special Alex Eala 14.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Alex Eala wearing Sofia Yulo Fine Jewelry</span></span></span></div><p>The Mark look was further elevated with ribbon-themed diamond pieces from <strong>Jul B Dizon Jewellery</strong>, a subtle nod &quot;for the girls with ruffled socks...&quot; The cascading diamond ribbon earrings paired with the ribbon-shaped diamond ring and heart-shaped tennis bracelet served as an added layer of daintiness to the look.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784709240419embed_Metro Homecoming Special Alex Eala 21.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Alex Eala wearing Jul B Dizon Jewellery</span></span></span></div><p>To complete the look, Alex steps into the<strong> Nike Moon shoes</strong>—an archival silhouette first conceived in the 1970s and reintroduced in 2026 through Nike&#x27;s collaboration with Jacquemus. The Moon shoes’ supple construction and sleek, elongated profile echo the elegance of Alex&#x27;s gowns, while the sculptural textured soles lend a sense of movement with every stride.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784709566520BANNERS (1).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17847096081635.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Behind-the-scenes from our Metro cover shoot with Alex Eala | Photos from Carla Buyo</span></span></span></div><p>The style direction for Alex Eala&#x27;s Metro cover is all about intention. Let this be a reminder that Filipino talent deserves the same belief and investment whether it’s on the world stage or at home. When we choose to champion our own people, whether on the court, in the atelier, or beyond, we also choose to affirm the value of Filipino creativity and ambition. </p><div><br/></div><p>Read more fashion stories on Metro.Style</p>

Behind The Scenes: Here’s How We Styled Alex Eala’s Metro Cover Looks

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Behind The Scenes: Here’s How We Styled Alex Eala’s Metro Cover Looks

Carla Buyo

Published July 22, 2026 05:45 PM PHT

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Updated July 22, 2026 08:42 PM PHT

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carla buyo

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