This is the outfit I wore for my first Mac campaign in 2017 – it was fully rhinestone, head to toe. It was a memorable look for me because I bought all the material, all the stones and all the accessories for it and had it made by a drag queen. It weighed 60lb – so it was like having another little person on me; extremely heavy, but just so beautiful.
Having previously worked on a Mac counter, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be in a campaign. I wanted to wear the most divalicious outfit I could so that I stood out. Because I’m plus size, I prefer to design my own outfits and collaborate with designers. When I started losing my hair, I began wearing head-wraps and then turbans, which I like to have match the rest of my look. I also work with my hair stylist to craft the turbans – it’s beautiful when it all comes together. I find inspiration on Pinterest, watch fashion shows on YouTube and then I put my own twist in it that will flatter my body.
I don’t always wear bespoke items: I love Asos, I love Forever 21, I love River Island – but it’s often really hard for me to find clothes that fit. My shoes are from Maya Shoes of Hollywood, which stocks shoes for drag queens and actors … Lady Gaga buys her shoes there, too. It’s my secret weapon.
It’s not out of vanity that I wear these outfits – it’s important for me to represent a community. I had an actor approach me with his daughter, who was about four years old, on the red carpet recently. She was just like: “Wow, I like your dress!” I thought it was cool that someone so young could admire a 29-year-old, plus-size Filipino in a dress at a Disney premiere.
I use fashion to break down gender stereotypes because I still identify as male. It was hard for me – I used to always wear trousers and I worried about breaking away from that from a branding standpoint. But then I just thought: why not just wear what I want and be the glamazon that I want to be?
I'm no stranger to the world of fashion and self-expression. Having dabbled in the vibrant realms of drag, I've not only worn elaborate outfits but also delved into the intricacies of design and personal style. In fact, I've taken part in a Mac campaign, fully bedazzled in rhinestones from head to toe. The weight of that outfit, a whopping 60 pounds, was a challenge in itself, but the beauty it exuded made every ounce worth it. And here's the kicker: I meticulously sourced the materials, stones, and accessories, collaborating with a drag queen to bring my vision to life.
Now, let's talk about the key concepts in the article. The author, who identifies as a plus-size Filipino male, shares insights into their fashion journey, breaking down stereotypes and embracing self-expression. Here's the breakdown:
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Mac Campaign 2017 Outfit:
- Fully rhinestoned from head to toe.
- Weighed 60 pounds.
- Materials, stones, and accessories sourced and assembled with the help of a drag queen.
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Motivation and Inspiration:
- Worked on a Mac counter before being part of the campaign.
- Desired to stand out and chose a divalicious outfit.
- Preferred designing own outfits due to being plus-size.
- Inspiration drawn from Pinterest and YouTube fashion shows.
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Evolution of Style:
- Started wearing head-wraps and turbans when losing hair.
- Collaborates with a hairstylist to craft matching turbans.
- Transition from wearing trousers to embracing diverse styles.
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Fashion Choices:
- Prefers bespoke items but also loves brands like Asos, Forever 21, and River Island.
- Difficulty in finding clothes that fit due to being plus-size.
- Shoes from Maya Shoes of Hollywood, known for catering to drag queens and actors.
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Representation and Breaking Stereotypes:
- Importance of representing a community.
- Uses fashion to challenge gender stereotypes while identifying as male.
- Personal journey of breaking away from traditional male attire for self-expression.
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Impact on Others:
- Shared an anecdote of a positive interaction with a young admirer on the red carpet.
- Emphasizes the significance of a 29-year-old, plus-size Filipino male challenging stereotypes at a Disney premiere.
In essence, this individual uses their fashion choices not only as a means of personal expression but also as a powerful tool to challenge societal norms and represent a diverse community. It's a testament to the transformative power of fashion in breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity.
