NOKIA x ELLE STYLE PORTFOLIO

Diversity is my strongest asset in life. I come from a place often regarded as peripheral despite its beauty and uniqueness. Unknown to many, the Philippines today is the product of Spanish-Japanese-American colonization. It certainly is an interesting mixture of very different cultures. Being Chinese by ethnicity and living in the Philippines have been instrumental in molding my multi-cultural identity. What I have in me is a remarkable combination unlike any other. I believe that the culture and environment I grew up in can help bring something new and fresh to the West.  Fashion is often dismissed as something superficial and unnecessary, but I beg to differ. I want to use my interest in fashion as an avenue to boost the Philippines’ image globally.  The New York Fashion Week is the perfect time to showcase the immense influence of fashion on my life. The opportunity to share my infinite stories and overflowing creative juices to as far as New York is too great that it would be considered a shame not to even try.  I am going to try my best to translate the Philippines’ culture blended with my eclectic personality and reflect it in my works. After all, visual presentation tells a lot about who or what a person is. It’s about time the world see something else. Something exotic, eccentric and especially “Elbertine”. 

City Girl in the Farm

Bohemian city girl pays a visit to the rural farms. I've been imagining this whole shoot in my head for the longest time now and finally the product is here for everyone to see. Enjoy viewing my Nokia x Elle style portfolio! I enjoyed working with all the people who have been instrumental in making this project successful. You shall see a variety of styles which will help you get to know me and what I can do even more.


Photographed by: Patrick Segovia

Arnold Galang dress/Style Prodigy feather earcuffs/Bring Ring rings/Belt from Thailand/ZARA sandals/Bag and dream catcher necklace from Baguio market/Thrifted knitted scarf

Desert wanderer

In the middle of nowhere and the scorching heat of the high noon sun, I venture out to take risks without inhibitions. I take everything to the next level. An idea that is born in my head will not stop growing and finding its way out. Styling is the exact field in fashion that has become an outlet for all those ideas. Through that, I am able to share my fashion intuitions and more often times over-the-top interpretations of it. 

This is my personal favorite among all the styling projects I have done. The dress was ripped straight from the Philippine Fashion Week Holiday Collection 2011 by Russell Villafuerte. He is a very young and talented Filipino designer whom I really love. Orange is the new pink this season. The burst of yellow-orange chiffon over the asymmetrical jersey tube dress is plain brilliance. It reminds me of sunkist oranges bursting.

Runway clothes are products of man's ingenuity. This outfit I'm wearing here is from Arnold Galang's Philippine Fashion Week Holiday 2011 Collection. The printed scarf gives the perfect touch to the minimalist appeal of this look.

Photographed By: Patrick Segovia

Russel Villafuerte dress/Arnold Galang green&brown outfit with scarf/Style prodigy feather earcuffs/Bring Rings connector rings/Andre Chang x Folded&Hung Floral Clogs

Jeepney ride

The Philippines primary means of public transportation is the jeepney. The colorful and attractive designs are impossible to miss. Wherever you go, you can surely find one in here. I'm wearing something inspired by the this jeepney together with other native elements. The feathers and abaca bag showcase the tribal clothing Filipino natives today are still adorned with.

(Jeepney photo taken from the internet)
Photographed By: Patrick Segovia

Arnold Galang two-tone skirt/NUR Brown feathered dress used as a top/Thrifted bag/Jerome Salaya Ang gold heels

Especially Elbertine

Style Prodigy feather earcuffs

Halloween was one event I always looked forward to as a child. The picture below shows me together with my two younger sisters all dressed in "qi paos" for halloween. My grandfather got us these outfits all the way from China. So cute right?

Now that I'm all grown up and do not join halloween contests anymore, I still haven't lost that affinity for oriental pieces such as red kimono by Michele Sison. The layered volume and cinched waist give it a very feminine touch. I especially love twirling back and forth in it.

Photographed by: Patrick Segovia
Michele Sison mini kimono/Zara wedges

A Wicked Twist

Reminiscent of the Asians' preference of solitude and peace, the Japanese Garden undoubtedly provided the perfect setting for the awkward queerness that is very much present in every detail of the photos. The modern oriental style of the clothes on a Caucasian beauty displays a striking contrast, sure to captivate anyone's eye. Unexpected is exactly the way I want it to be.

Photographed By:Patrick Segovia
Styling By: Elbertine Lau
Model: Sirene Sutton


Michele Sison clothes/Jerome Salaya Ang gold heels/Bring Rings connector ring/Andre Chang x Folded&Hung floral clogs

Art Attack

Sometimes, I like to tap my inner rocker self and bring the glamrock style on. Fun and fearless, I'd like to call myself. As a Chemistry major, I like experimenting on pretty much everything. Fashion is no exception. I like to dress up and test which looks work best for me. 

Photogrpahed By: Faye Castillo
OS Accessories Neckpieces/Stylebreak tops/DIY black studded bra/Jerome Salaya Ang heels

Strolling in Intramuros

A place so dear to the Filipinos' hearts. The Spanish historical structures have still been preserved up to this day. That's why there's a different feel every time I go there. It's like I'm taken back to the time when the Spanish conquistadors were still here in Manila. I wonder if I could have been one of Dr. Jose Rizal's characters in either Noli me Tangere or El Filibusterismo.

The beautiful St. Agustin Church where my parents tied the knot.

Even the door was carved with the Blessed Virgin Mary's image.

Local handicrafts store. 

The Filipiniana dolls! 

A Filino at work. He is busy making those paper pen holders if I remember it right.

Back in the day, the kalesa played a huge role in the Philippines. Actually even until today, kalesas are used in some areas to get to near places.

Siesta time in the afternoon. A spanish habit the Filipinos have assimilated in our culture.

Photographed By: Faye Castillo

Stylebreak white sheer top/Pleated maxi skirt from Hongkong/Andre Chang x f&h floral clogs

Mongkok in Motion

Fashion isn't the only thing that has a place here in my blog. A lot of people may not know that I have a soft side for the elderly. During my shopping trip in Hongkong, I happen to pass by this old man here who was writing his story in a way I've never seen before. He was using white powder and letting it go through his fingers as he writes these Chinese characters. Being a Chinese who was born and raised in the Philippines, I wouldn't say I'm an expert at the language, but I did understand some of them. He was narrating how he at 70 years old has a paralyzed wife at home and his appreciation for everyone who helped him.(There was a donation box by his side.) Thanks to my Nokia n8 because now I can easily take photos and videos of just about anything I see.

And here's the talented monk who can perform ridiculous tricks I thought only existed on tv.

Ethnic Civilian

If there's one thing I'm thankful in college for, it is giving me more time for what I love to do and releasing me from the bounds of having to wear uniform for the past 13 years. This is my modern day interpretation of an androgynous ethnic civilian wandering in casual style around the Ateneo University. Combat boots are a must in spicing up any simple outfit and making it through the day rain or shine.

Top from Hongkong/H&M sunnies, tooth necklace and boyfriend jeans/necklace from Baguio/Style Prodigy feather earcuffs/Bring Rings skull connector ring/Doc Martens/Mango denim cover-up

Photographed by: Kara Chung