Since Liza Soberano’s rise to fame, the public supported her roles in television and films. Adding to Liza’s overall appeal, apart from her acting skills and natural beauty, of course, is her choice in wardrobe that accentuates her figure and brings out her features. And as avid fans, a lot of people tried to copy the look or add a personal touch.
However, Liza isn’t the only fashion icon the public looks up to, as the Philippines isn’t short on stylish celebrities. Other sources of fashion inspiration are Miss Universe 2015 and 2018 Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray, respectively.
Although these celebrities have distinct styles, one man is responsible for their eye-catching looks, Filipino stylist Perry Tabora.
When it comes to dressing celebrities, Tabora adheres to the idea that less is more. Even though trends come and go in the fashion industry,
“You can never go wrong with an effortless look. For me, simplicity always has an understated elegance to it,” he said.
He draws inspiration from anything and anywhere, such as how people from different cultures dress, art pieces, and interior design. If he finds the aesthetic interesting, it influences how he styles his clients. That’s something unique about his styling process because it’s always evolving. After all, he continuously experiences new cultures, visits new places, and meets new people.
Tabora started his career in styling over a decade ago, and 2022 marks his 12th year in the industry.
“I have always been interested in fashion for as long as I can remember. My hobby as a kid was flipping through magazines because I would just be enamored with what people were wearing and the artistry of the shoots of fashion editorials,” he shared.
Back then, however, Tabora didn’t know what careers he could pursue in the industry. It was only when he took up fashion design and merchandising in college that he was introduced to styling.
Once he was exposed to styling, it was something that he gravitated towards fairly quickly because he liked envisioning the looks in his head, making it the ideal outlet to bring those ideas to fruition.
As he built his career, he managed to style celebrities like Janella Salvador, Zanjoe Marudo, and Robi Domingo, among many others. He considers the highlight of his career was when he was interviewed and featured in Vogue.com to discuss Liza’s iconic looks and style evolution.
Being a stylist also enabled him to venture into his other passions such as launching NinetyNinety Studios (@ninetyninetystudios), a fashion line that he started with his friend and business partner designer, Rob Ortega.
Despite his current success, he also faced several struggles along the way, especially when he was just starting.
“It’s a cut-throat and very competitive industry so you have to be able to hold your ground. The hours are also brutal because shoots can be as long as three days, and the preparations made before the shoot can be overwhelming as well,” he said.
The pandemic also posed a challenge for him because resources for clothes became limited, prompting him to learn how to be resourceful.
“There are a lot of challenges, but if this is truly your passion, you’re going to work for it, and it won’t feel like a job for you because it’s work that you enjoy,” Tabora said.
Luckily, the well-known stylist has several tips for aspiring artists in their careers. The first tip that he can give is to get an internship or a mentor because this can help them build a network in the fashion industry. Continuously building a portfolio and getting their name out into the world will also boost their careers.
He added that aspiring stylists need to be passionate about what they do because this is what will keep them going despite the challenges.
“You also need to accept that success doesn’t happen instantly. There are times when you might feel that you are not progressing, but you are. Never doubt yourself and your abilities because it is your faith in yourself that will help you overcome the challenges,” the stylist to the stars said.
As Tabora celebrates 12 years in the industry, we can expect to see more of his work as he continues to evolve along with the world around him.