Daily Tribune‘God will give you that brilliance, then your personality and good heart will glow.’
Beauty queen Melanie Marquez with model Arjay Espartero in an ensemble by designer Boyet Fajardo.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF BOYET FAJARDO
“Please don’t judge my brother, he’s not a book!”
During the early 2000s, even before memes became a thing, the youngest-ever Miss International titleholder Melanie Marquez was already an icon for her “Melanisms” or quotable quotes that began when she defended her brother Joey Marquez in a debate show.
Again referencing a book, the actress describes her life as an “open book” in a statement announcing her as the muse of pret-a-porter impresario Boyet Fajardo’s new holiday collection.
“My life is an open book, but one that is full of challenges. It may seem that I lead a glamorous life but, honestly, I hate dressing up and wearing makeup. Gusto ko, simple lang (I want it simple)” shared the supermodel mom.
“My first hubby was Sen. Lito Lapid, actor pa siya noon. Manuelito is our child. After that, I gave birth to Mazenne with my second husband, an Arabian sheik. Then came Michelle and Maxine, my daughters with my husband Derek Dee, who was also an actor. And finally, Abraham and Adam Jr. with my current husband, Randy ‘Adam’ Lawyer. We usually gather as a family, during Christmastime, if all our schedules permit,” she continued.
After Melanie was crowned the youngest Miss International winner at 15 years old, in 1979, she went on to win the Glamorous Woman of Italy title and Face of the ‘80s in New York; which led to her stint in the Supermodel of the World where she was hailed as the model with the most beautiful hair by Clairol.
“I think my X-factor comes from professionalism, coupled with my dedication and genuine character. Anything fake will eventually manifest itself. Just be yourself,” she says of her staying power in the world of fashion.
Apart from her persona in front of the camera, Melanie’s resume behind the camera includes that of being a filmmaker and celebrity mom. She once dabbled as co-host in a TV show with the late entertainment stalwart Ricky Lo.
Melanie understands Fajardo’s vision and her poses reflect that. Fajardo, for his part, also has his share of triumphs and struggles that are reflected in his Holiday collection.
His latest collection of Asian-inspired silhouettes fill up his forthcoming Holiday collection, a mostly black and white omnibus, with a few splashes of vibrant color, aiming to take a slice in the ready-to-wear (RTW) market. The collection will be available soon at Robinsons, SM, Landmark, Sta. Lucia malls, KCC mall in Mindanao, G Malls in the Visayas, and in other select department stores all over the Philippines.
“Japanese designs have always been part of my collections. They are timeless, geometric, linear and dramatic!” the designer, in a statement, describes his Nippon-inspired creations but with a distinctly Pinoy look.
“I feel excited about this collection. I was never excited about my photo shoots before, but now I am! This collection highlights my 48 years in the fashion industry — through all the struggles — as my journey speaks volumes of my acumen throughout all the generations I’ve served; from the baby boomers to the millennials, and now the younger crowd,” he gushes.
“These are limited-edition pieces and all locally-made. It’s a culmination of almost five decades of work. I want to be an inspiration, despite my shortcomings and physical infirmities (like my eyesight and upper left extremity). I always want movement — constant movement — and never remain at a standstill, even during the global pandemic. I’ll do the things I’ve been dreaming to do all my life,” he adds.
Two years shy of his golden anniversary in the garments and apparel industry, he is still forging ahead in full steam.
“Compete only with yourself, than with others, to bring out the optimum in you! Fashion is my passion, so the best is yet to come!” he declares.
“God will give you that brilliance, then your personality and good heart will glow. People around you think you don’t seem to age. And you are not bothered by material things,” Melanie shares as nuggets of wisdom. “Just live within your means. You’ll find peace and contentment.”
