#MyPrideInFashion: How Director Sam Lee’s Sleek, Androgynous Looks Reveal Her Pride
The fashionable filmmaker stands out in tailored suits, leather jackets, and other sexy-cool looks.
Metro.Style’s ‘My Pride in Fashion’ is a special series of profiles for Pride Month. We interview people from the Philippines’ LGBTQ+ community and see how they wear their pride on their sleeves, and how fashion is indeed a medium of their self-expression.
Queer, successful, and proud, Samantha Lee has been turning heads on and off the movie set since making her first full length feature in 2016. The director, known for the award-winning Baka Bukas and critically-acclaimed Billie & Emma, has garnered local and international praise for her heartfelt indie rom-coms that prominently feature women in queer relationships. In addition to challenging norms through her work, Sam also expands the definition of a fashionable Filipino woman through her style choices.
Though the tastemaker's style fluctuates depending on her mood and itinerary, one thread that is consistent, whether she’s working or enjoying free time, is an air of effortless cool. Whether she’s in a slouchy shirt or a structured jacket, she looks sleek and put-together. And this is no accident. “In general, I want people to be able to sense that I have my s*** together,” the direct half-jokes. Adding, “This is super important in my line of work because I'm a young female director and I'm usually in charge of a lot of people on a set, or traveling around the world doing Q&A's for my films. I want to be able to channel a certain presence and sense of control and confidence and wearing the right clothes definitely helps with that.”
Inspired by style icons such as Harry Styles and Jenna Lyons, Sam prefers androgynous looks with a feminine touch. As such, she can be seen in tailored suits, vests, pageboy hats, and leather jackets—but she isn't afraid to mix it up with softer fabrics and show some skin while she's at it.
Ultimately, Sam’s style is an expression of her pride in her identity, including her sexuality. “I think it's important to remember that PRIDE is a protest. Change is never easy, and most of the time it can be scary but your voice matters. Never stop telling stories.” Whether it’s through film or fashion, we hope Sam never stops telling hers.
Click through the slideshow below on how Sam Lee shows her pride through fashion!
Sam Lee's Pride In Fashion
Sam Lee's Pride In Fashion
Because she’s often traveling the world to promote her films, Sam likes to present a “sense of control and confidence” through her fashion.
“I love being by the beach on my free time,” she says. So, part of her wardrobe staples include bikinis and billowy shirts.
Sam enjoys cool-weather fashion. “It's still my dream to be able to wear the things Sofia Copolla wears to a shoot, but it's almost impossible with the heat here in the Philippines.”
“On shoot days I like being comfortable but still polished.”
“For events, I love putting on a well-tailored suit!” Sam’s glammed up look includes perfectly fitting jackets and trousers.
“I like wearing very classic pieces but with a twist,” Sam says. For example, on client-facing days, she prefers wearing tailored slacks with sneakers.
When she’s too tired or stressed out from work, Sam likes to put on tailored clothing. “[It] helps me get to that [controlled and confident] place mentally versus if I was just wearing a normal t-shirt.”
Sam’s fashion icons include Harry Styles and Jenna Lyons, both of whom are often pictured in well-fitting button-down shirts.
Though she values style, Sam also prioritizes function, choosing her outfits based on her activities for the day.
Though her style can sometimes be described as androgynous, Sam includes feminine touches here and there.
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