Metro.Style's Year-Ender List: Filipino Celebrities And Personalities Who Had Fashion Milestones In 2018
Maybe it’s as big as becoming an international supermodel or as simple as creating your first designer piece, but whatever #FashionGoals you’ve been eyeing, the upcoming year could be your year.
Because as with every goal or dream, everything starts with baby steps. 2018 has been a witness to the most amazing stories and achievements of Filipino celebrities and fashion icons around the world. Let the fashion milestones of these amazing people this year inspire you to start working on achieving your own dreams for the coming 2019.
READ: Metro.Style's Year-Ender List: The Top Fashion Moments Of 2018
Kelsey Merritt
In 2017, Kelsey claimed that she will walk the phenomenal catwalk of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. And after several e-commerce shoots and editorial shoots for the international lingerie brand, some balancing act between her studies in Ateneo de Manila and her modeling work, and tons of hard work and discipline to perfect her body, by Law of Attraction she did.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Kelsey Merritt Is Your Next Supermodel, And We Called It First
In September, Kelsey fulfilled her dream and got the news that she will become the very first Filipina to walk the VSFS alongside the most famous Victoria’s Secret angels that we’ve loved through the years. And that runway walk on the 8th of November in New York was a day not just for Kelsey, but for every Filipino who has dreamed of making it to the world stage.
READ: Look! Kelsey Merritt's Backstage Snaps At The 2018 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Are BTS Gold
Maymay Entrata
And speaking of bringing the Filipina beauty to the global catwalk, Maymay Entrata has also been big in the fashion world this year after becoming the very first Filipina to walk the Arab Fashion week. The young celebrity who has graced many magazine covers the past couple of years may not be a fashion model by professional, but she sure owned the Dubai runway when she walked in that amazing Furne One Amato gown that made even model-maker Tyra Banks notice her!
According to Maymay, there were tons of preparation and practice leading to the big day. She may have been nervous as an amateur model, but all the preparation she underwent helped her be at ease and confident at the runway. What is her advice to all aspiring models? Have patience, continue learning and growing, and know that there will be that big break that will come to you when you are ready.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Maymay Entrata Is Local Fashion's Newest Celebrity Muse
Adela-Mae Marshall
On her very first year modeling in the Philippines, she booked five TVCs, despite not having prior experience in modeling. But thanks to Philippines’ Next Top Model, Adela finally found what kind of model she wanted to be—and it was someone who would represent the Philippines.
And this year, that was exactly what she did. The British-Filipina model conquered Asia’s Next Top Model and emerged first runner-up after a tough competition. But now that she’s back in the Philippines, Adela shows that she has gained more than what it looks like she lost, and she is bringing with her confidence, eloquence, and elegance that can only come from experience.
READ: AsNTM's Adela-Mae Marshall Shows Us How To Work The Pink Trend!
Rajo Laurel
From a small dream that started in his friend’s basement in 1993 to becoming a fashion empire that every celebrity and personality wants to wear today, Rajo Laurel has indeed had a fulfilling 25 years in the industry, and he's not stopping.
He is every woman’s dream bridal gown and dress designer whose creations celebrate the female elegance and timeless beauty.
READ: A Tribute To Rajo Laurel And 25 Of His Most Iconic Bridal Gowns
READ: All Stars Came Together For Rajo Laurel's 25th Anniversary Show At The Red Charity Gala
Rajo celebrated his silver anniversary in the fashion world during the Red Charity Gala in October, which was attended by his friends from different industries.
Vania Romoff
Vania Romoff staged her very first fashion show at 18 years old. She moved to Manila in her early twenties to further pursue her dreams. And soon enough, all the hard work and passion for what she does eventually paid off as she became the youngest Metrowear Icon this year, eight years after she attended her very first Metrowear featuring Cary Santiago in 2010, where she first prayed to make it to the same stage.
READ: This Cebu-Born Designer Is This Year's Metrowear Icon—And Her Fashion Journey Will Inspire You
Now, Vania continues to be one of the most coveted and loved designers in the metro, with an atelier that she is proud to call her own, and a line that truly highlights the feminine romance and the elegant silhouettes that every woman wants in what she wears.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Metrowear Icon Vania Romoff Shares The Spotlight With Her Celebrity Muses
Rosanna Ocampo
As young as 12 years old, Rosanna Ocampo already knew she found her calling. And it was as if the next years went by in a blur, plunging her into the fashion world in Europe and the thriving fashion scene in Manila. After 10 fruitful years in the industry, this fashion designer has gone through a lot and evolved in the process. From specializing in custom party dresses in her early years as a designer, Rosanna now specializes in premium RTW, dressing some of Manila’s finest and elites.
And to celebrate her 10 years in the industry, Rosanna launched RO x Into the Wild, a collection that highlights her biggest inspiration throughout the years of her career: foliage, florals, and winged and hybrid creatures.
Mak Tumang
Pampanga-born designer Mak Tumang has been making waves in the ball gown fashion game early on in his career for designing extravagant quinceañera and bridal gowns. With his creations' bold silhouettes and designs, he has been favored by many, to make their special occasions even more special. In 2015, he was noticed by more people, when he dressed up Hillarie Parungao for the Miss World 2015.
But this month, Mak has ascended into rockstar status after his creations for Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray was brought to life on the prestigious pageant's stage. With two phenomenal gowns that enabled Catriona to stand out during the competitions and were created with such Filipino history and depth, the Kapampangan designer has indeed made a new mark for himself in the fashion world—and we won’t be able to take our eyes off him and his creations for Catriona for a long while.
READ: Catriona Gray's Gown To The Miss Universe Finals Was Inspired By This Philippine Volcano!
Photos from @furneamato @catriona_gray @kelseymerritt
