In the pulsating world of fashion, where every stitch and silhouette narrates a unique tale, we often find ourselves captivated by the enigmatic figures who orchestrate these sartorial symphonies. Among them stands Bryan, a rising luminary whose journey from the confines of conservatism to the forefront of style is as compelling as the ensembles he crafts. In an exclusive tête-à-tête, Bryan unveils the layers of his creative odyssey, offering insights into his personal style, professional ethos, and aspirations that fuel his meteoric rise.
Can you share with us a bit about your background and what drew you to the world of fashion styling?
When I was younger, I grew up in a very conservative and strict environment (which should explain my introvert side). What I see around me and who I get to interact with was all I believed to be the norm. But early on, I knew that I was never attached to the traditions of my family, and so I would join drawing contests and try different things like music and dance activities to counteract my quiet character. I also wasn’t a person of words back then so I’d dress up myself for attention, and I’d use it to start a conversation. All those years, I’ve always known what I wanted to do career-wise, but I just couldn’t tell you what it was called. When I finally stepped into college and started my journey as a creative, I’ve been posting OOTDs on social media and even doing blog posts about it. This is when I got even more obsessed and inspired with fashion and that’s also how I met some of my first industry friends and got introduced to the world of styling. Since then, it was a no-brainer for me that all I had to do was build my portfolio, get to know who’s who, and expand my connections(which I’m still doing). I’d like to say that I’ve always been manifesting this idea in my head for so long that when I finally got a shot to start my dream career, I couldn’t believe it. I am very (and still am) fortunate that I get to call this a job.
You're often praised for your impeccable style. How would you describe your personal style, and how does it influence your work as a fashion stylist?
This has always been a very tricky question because as a stylist, one must be very open to different ideas and interpretations of fashion. But if I would classify my style into a category, I’d like to say that I put the "ASS" in Class (I tried LOL). My style is always polished with a touch of sexy. Both for me and my clients, I love creating looks that will exude a new found confidence (and maybe an alter-ego).
What are some of the key principles you adhere to when creating a look or styling a client?
One of the main principles that I’ve learned and lived by to this day is to ensure that all pieces in my archive should stand the test of time. What I mean by this is, I make sure it’s made with quality and sourced ethically. I also want to be able to use these pieces in multiple ways and be able to style them differently each time to justify the purchase.
In such a fast-paced industry, how do you stay updated with the latest trends while still maintaining your unique perspective?
I believe the beauty in fashion is that there’s always something new and exciting to look forward to as it grows and evolves together with our time. But what I love more about it is that it never forgets how it came to be. We all know that trends draw inspiration from history and are just given a new title or a new name. I’m such a fan of staples and foundations that I think my unique perspective is not really on the eggshells of my personal style, but rather my undying attachment to timeless silhouettes and realigning to the basics.
Can you walk us through your creative process when conceptualizing a new styling project?
Throughout my years as a stylist, I've created a format for myself for every project I tackle. I start things off by making sure that I fully understand the client’s vision so I can assure them that they get their messages across as clear as day. After that, I will interpret their ideas but not limited to my own understanding, and I collaborate on the looks that I will be sourcing or contributing into creating. And lastly, I will ensure to lock-in backups because you never know what to expect. At the end of the day, my main goal is for everyone to execute on quality and effective outputs.
What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in your journey as a fashion stylist, and how have you overcome them?
I believe that each project comes with its own set of unique challenges. But more than that, I think the most challenging part throughout my journey so far is building and maintaining a solid relationship with my peers and related people that I meet. The industry is so small, that if you know one person, technically you know everyone and vice versa. I’m not really a social person and it takes a lot for me to warm up to people. So oftentimes, I get misinterpreted for being too intimidating or quiet. But in reality — I’m just shy. But today, I learned (and am still learning) how to initiate conversations and introduce myself with a lot more enthusiasm.
Bryan, could you share with us some of the notable celebrities, personalities, or brands you've had the opportunity to work with? How have these experiences shaped your approach to fashion styling?
Some of the most notable projects I’ve been given the opportunity to work with are the likes of L’oreal Paris and The SM Store Campaigns. The reason why wasn’t only because I was trusted to work with these prestigious brands, but they were also some of the most challenging projects I dealt with thus far. It was challenging in ways that really kept me up at night. Not just from the pressures of the brand, but ultimately wanting to deliver nothing but the best. They taught me how to be a critical thinker and be composed whilst under pressure. But I was so humbled that even though they were paying me to do my job, it still didn’t limit them to be hands-on and let the project be a collaborative work. Nonetheless, all projects I’ve experienced have taught me something and these experiences are knowledge I get to carry on to the next.
Collaboration is often crucial in the fashion world. Could you tell us about some memorable collaborations you've had and how they've influenced your work?
This might be a bit crazy to say because I never really liked the aftermath whenever I take on these projects just because it gets very overwhelming very fast, but I’d have to say that my collaboration shoots with Miss Universe Philippines muses are my most memorable ones. This is surely because we get to be super creative with the shoots and it’s so fun to play around with gorgeous ensembles, not to mention putting the spotlight on highly talented designers.More to that, sometimes it makes me feel like I’m playing real-life Barbie.
Your work seems to seamlessly blend classic elegance with contemporary flair. What do you think sets your style apart from others in the industry?
One of the reasons why I love dressing other people is to tell a story — their story. When I would style myself on certain occasions, I always want my personality to shine through first, then style second. I think this is a greater challenge for me, because it helps me better understand what my client wants and how we can make it bigger. What I think sets my style apart from the rest is I always make sure that it resonates with the client’s personality. You know that twinkle in the eye? That short heart-stopping moment? That’s where the look comes out stronger and more relatable.
As a young and emerging talent, what are your aspirations for the future of your career in fashion styling?
I’ve always dreamt of being able to go abroad and pursue a bigger role. It would be a dream come true to be mentored by some of the most brilliant designers/creative directors out there like Maria Grazia or Miuccia Prada and be able to bring forth my own creations. Other than that, I’d like to come back home and be managing a clothing line, a cafe, and maybe even a restaurant. — all curated of course!
Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring fashion stylists who are looking to break into the industry?
If anything, I don't think I’m credible enough yet to be handing out advice. But, If there’s anything I’ve learned so far on my personal journey, it’s to have a clear vision of your end goal, and have a strong heart. If I were to speak on personal experience, the industry can be very dark and very cruel very fast. So brace yourself, it’s more than just sheer talent that survives.
Photo by: @hawangstudio
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