The Preview Clique 2025 Is Set to Make Waves Online and IRL
by Jelou Galang
Published on Jul 8, 2025
“Basketball” is the unexpected keyword that surfaces when I ask 25-year-old Lite Nayubi about her most impactful core memories. In her pre-teen years, her parents encouraged her to try various sports. “I feel like the discipline that comes with being part of a team—learning to work with other people—is something I still carry with me. Even things like showing up on time and persevering no matter what... It’s a very competitive world,” she reflects.
Interestingly, it was in this male-dominated arena where her femininity began to take shape, expressed through “firm eyelashes” and “the shortest shorts,” even when others made fun of her.
“But that’s the thing—I still tried to express myself, even when I played sports. I couldn’t help wanting to be like that.” That same energy lives on in her current wardrobe, which she imagines would fit right into Mean Girls, Scream Queens (“I really like the big fur jackets and high boots”), or Confessions of a Shopaholic—a reference as much about the aesthetic as the overflowing closet.
As for the piece that best represents her? High socks. “I feel like they elevate an outfit. I feel so feminine when I wear something like that. I’d pick them over heels any day.”
Fashion is also her outlet for self-expression, especially as a model. “Before, I did creative direction and styled myself—I was so happy,” she recalls. These days, she’s grateful that modeling allows her to “meet different people from different backgrounds” and embrace her imperfections—a challenging feat in an industry that often glorifies perfection. Then again, isn’t imperfection more interesting? A scroll through her Instagram feed offers a symphony of emotions: menacing runway outtakes, euphoric candids, and the quintessential Gen Z crying selfie.
“I’m actually really philosophical... I like to just enjoy life. Sometimes, I take everyday things for granted. But if you find whatever’s nice within your day, you’ll die happy,” she shares with a giggle. “I like to go through the moments of life with a good mindset. But it didn’t come easily. Before, I was in a dark place.”
She pauses. We laugh in sync, aware of how deep the conversation has suddenly turned. “I like arts, I like sports, I like conversations… with you!” she quips. In true Lite fashion, she suddenly pretends we’re on a podcast.
Minutes after settling into our interview couch, 20-year-old Lauren Sanz tells me she’s catching a flight in four hours. “For leisure or for work?” I ask. It’s for work, she says—along with her “classy, quirky, and adventurous” style rotation and her trusted niacinamide and serums in tow. Though she’s still in the early stages of her modeling career, her virtual portfolio suggests otherwise, showcasing everything from runway magnetism to ethereal beach clips on TikTok.
In her bio, she boldly writes, “I want all the fame”—a declaration that feels perfectly aligned with this era of owning ambition, echoing the same energy as Timothée Chalamet’s now-iconic Screen Actors Guild Awards speech. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Lauren says, but one that encapsulates her view on modeling and content creation: “If you have a lot of traction, people will follow you, and you get more jobs. But more than that, I just want to show the world how a doll is. I am a doll. How a doll would walk... Because ‘doll’ is a term used to refer to people like me.”
Rooted in ballroom culture, “doll” is an endearing term used for trans women and transfeminine individuals. Lauren proudly embraces it, while also using her platform to spark conversations around the trans community, from everyday microaggressions to the politics of sexuality. “I value authenticity in content creation so much because I’m a transgender person. Living my truth—and however I express it, whether through photo or video—is the most authentic I can be,” she says. For Lauren, “When you’re a model, you pose like a mannequin. But as a content creator, people tune in for your story.”
And in her case, there’s a whole world of it: a biology student who cares deeply for animals and the environment, a surfing enthusiast, someone who’d gladly swap beauty pouches with Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer, and a self-described “very analytical” person. When it comes to trends, she sticks to what works for her (shoutout to bodycon pieces and leopard prints). The rest is an identity, she says, “that is very concrete.”
Before your friend—and your friend’s friend—started hopping on TikTok dance trends, 20-year-old Kaira Mack was already hitting the dance floor. The marketing major-slash-fangirl has been dancing for over a decade, her skills evident on her feed—like in a Pony cover that’s racked up over a million views. This background made TikTok choreography second nature and helped kickstart her content creation journey, which eventually gave us a glimpse into her edgy concert ’fits and suave terno game.
But plot twist: One of her most pivotal childhood memories isn’t about dancing; it’s about singing. “Talagang pinipilit ko na singing is for me,” she recalls with a laugh. Though she placed second in a contest, it didn’t feel like a true win—a “pity placement,” as she puts it—after realizing her competitors “also weren’t that good.” The real win? Learning the value of redirection early on.
“We tend to force ourselves into certain notions or things we believe are right for us. But when you realize, ‘It’s not for me,’ you actually open a door to a side of yourself you’ve never seen before... It really played a big part in who I am today.” Exhibit A might be modeling. On days when castings don’t work out in her favor, she reminds herself, “They probably rejected me because I’m not what they’re looking for—so maybe I belong somewhere else.” That mindset, she shares, has also shaped the way she navigates relationships and career goals.
This quiet self-assurance is reflected in her choices, from the way she uses social media to how she approaches skincare. At one point, she tried subscribing to the 10-step routine—only to realize that a more stripped-back system suits her better. “I just use a Japanese foam cleanser, sunscreen, and occasionally toner pads or oil cleanser to remove makeup,” she says.
“The best part of going home after content creation or a fashion event,” she tells me, “is sitting in the car, removing my jewelry, and going on my phone to text my loved ones.”
“In our country, everyone’s going for the bold route. Everybody’s going for the daring route,” says David Leoy, unpacking his Instagram bio: “Fresh niche.” The 29-year-old elaborates, “I like to take daring pieces and apply them to something more relatable, something very average—and that, to me, is being fresh. And being fresh is something people look for on a daily basis.” For David, freshness isn’t exclusive—it’s accessible to anyone.
Step into his virtual world and you’ll see this ethos at play. In fact, it might be what launched his “accidental” content creation career in the first place. After posting a video using the viral “rate yourself” TikTok filter, people started asking for a peek into his skincare routine. “I’d like to say I’m kind of boring,” he jokes. His fuss-free arsenal includes the basics: toner, moisturizer, and a hydrating serum, among others. But don’t get him wrong—his brand of simplicity is far from lacking.
“A risky thing for me to say, but I don’t believe that ‘less is more’... It really depends on what you choose to apply for yourself,” David muses. “One perfect example is when people don’t like a sticky finish, but they want to use a certain moisturizer. Then they only apply a pea-sized amount—but that can only do so much. To truly experience the benefits, you need more than just a pea size.”
As for makeup, his deep dive only began during the early days of his content creation journey. But today, curious Filipino boys now approach him to learn the basics.
His lookbook, however, leans far more eccentric. If his style were a playlist, it would sound like Show Me Love by Tyla, WizTheMc, and bees & honey; ExtraL by Jennie and Doechii; and Something Stupid by Frank Sinatra. “Back in school, I was bullied for being this queer guy—flamboyant, showy about my personality,” he shares. Now, as an online figure, he hopes to inspire others to veer away from the urge to constantly compare themselves to others.
For Aly Dinglasan, her wardrobe checks the boxes for “feminine, fun, and versatile”—but it’s often peppered with “laid-back and a little boyish” elements too. “My style is fluid and expressive, just like me!” the 24-year-old muses. A scroll through her TikTok feels like flipping through a personal diary—sentimental, cheeky, and carefree. “Me na puro kaartehan at kabaklaan lang ang pino-post,” reads the text in one video. Her bio echoes the sentiment: “Me and my kaartehan.”
Despite the open-book energy online, Aly remains grounded in her offline life. “I value authenticity a lot since it’s a huge part of my journey as a content creator. I love sharing bits and pieces of my life, my fashion and makeup faves, and moments that reflect my queerness!”
If she were a beauty product, she’d be a creamy lip tint that doubles for cheeks and eyes. “I’m the same way—multifaceted and able to adapt.”
To say she’s come a long way is an understatement—and not just in her content creation career. The girl who’s now effortlessly comfortable in front of the camera once felt the need to “hide parts of myself just to fit in,” she says, reflecting on her early teens. But going further down memory lane reveals a formative childhood moment that feels like her own Like My Mirror Years Ago scene: as a kid, Aly would tag along with her filmmaker Lolo during shoots. Watching how people collaborated sparked her fascination, curiosity, and love for creative work.
“My Lolo also taught me something I carry with me to this day: to always be kind to everyone, no matter who they are,” she shares. “Today, I create videos as my own way of storytelling. It may not be a full-length film, but it’s real—and it’s mine.”
That sentiment carries into her present life—not just in her art, but in the way she connects with others. “One thing a friend once told me that really stuck was, ‘You always make everyone feel included, even in big groups.’ That meant a lot, because to me, that’s not just who I try to be as a friend, but as a person.”
Gen Z’s random side quests are usually sparked by fellow Gen Zs. But in Rafael Sydiangco’s case, the gentle nudge to start his content creation era came from his grandmother. The 25-year-old model recalls, “She said, ‘I saw a video of someone taking videos of their outfits—why don’t you share yours?’” From there, Rafael began dabbling in it for fun, offering a blend of neatly framed, moody snaps and his signature black-and-white ensembles, ranging from officecore to street style. His Instagram feed, for one, is organized to a tee—a reflection of his self-proclaimed “Type A” personality.
“I was really into the Korean color palette at first—very winter tones, clean aesthetics, flowers,” he shares. “I started with that, but then I realized my wardrobe is mine alone. If you want to radiate confidence and feel good about yourself, you have to stop following trends and start following your own kind of trend.”
That’s when he embraced his love for black and white. “Ever since I was a child until now, I’ve really liked that combination—even my room is black and white.”
Modeling, however, is a different ball game. “Being with models alone is already a challenge,” he says. “I feel like it’s not about how you look or how much you weigh, but about being a beginner in a room full of experts. Honestly, anyone can be a model—especially if you have a versatile look—but the biggest challenge is how you treat yourself and how you feel during castings, surrounded by people who are always booked. Sometimes it feels shallow to think, ‘It’s because of your acne or your weight.’ But now, the industry is more accepting, in a sense, than it was before.”
As for looking his best, Rafael credits not just his morning and night skincare routines, but also his glow to good energy and a happy circle. And I don’t doubt it—it shows in his light aura during our conversation and in the way he easily builds connections.
“That’s part of your ’fit? Cute,” I ask, pointing to the earphones he wore throughout the interview. “Of course! Everything is part of the ’fit,” he replies, with the same effortless energy he carried from the moment he walked in.
So much has been said about the color pink. But one overarching theme of the recent girlhood-focused era—especially during “The Year of the Girl”—is that many girls’ rekindled love for the color represents a kind of emancipation from internalized misogyny. Brittnee Que experienced a similar epiphany. “When I was a kid, around seven years old, I really loved pink. But people would tease me, saying, ‘You’re too girly,’” recalls the finance graduate and proud Swiftie. “So I changed my favorite color to green.”
In her teen years, she leaned into black-and-white outfits, but eventually found her way back to pink as an adult. From floral hair clips to cowboy boots, she now mixes and matches different shades of the hue with effortless creativity. Bows are also a signature—one glance and you might think of the coquette aesthetic, but to Brittnee, they’re not a trend. “When you think of bows, you’ll think of Brittnee,” she quips, as I find myself fixated on the silver bow earrings and bow-adorned stockings she’s wearing.
The desire to customize has always been innate in the 25-year-old content creator—she once made miniature houses and now finds joy in perfume making. Fun fact: She’s a loyalist of Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet, a scent so light and tender it mirrors the energy she brings into a room—and into her slice-of-life content online. But for her, making an impact goes far beyond a curated color palette. “You have to think about what value you can provide to your audience. It’s not just about attending events, doing makeup reviews, or landing paid sponsorships.”
“Even though I attend events and have paid collabs, I also make it a habit to post for my community—those who are petite and around my height (4'11"),” she says. “’Yung mga naghahanap ng fashion inspo.”
That same driven mindset shows up in other parts of her life. “When I was younger, I was often compared to others in terms of intelligence. So when I got into college, I told myself, ‘Okay, this is my goal. I have to reach it.’ I graduated magna cum laude. And that experience molded me—because now, when I want something, I really go for it.”
When Anjali Santwani traveled to Mexico and met strangers last May, it sparked fresh perspectives about the vastness of people, thoughts, and cultures. It also taught her to be less afraid of new experiences. But this wasn’t the 23-year-old chemical engineering student’s first foray into embracing uncertainty. Just last year, her content creation journey began with a spontaneous ’fit check she felt like posting, then the rest (read: an outpouring of engagement) was history.
“Mine-make sure ko talaga ’yung content ko is something na people would watch, kasi siyempre, I’m in it na talaga. I want people to know who I am through my content,” she shares about standing out. But that doesn’t mean she feels pressured. If anything, her online world offers balance, especially against the rigid, objective nature of her academic life.
Content creation is her playground. From travel to makeup to style, it’s where she feels free to explore and express, like she can do just about anything.
When it comes to her sleek, chic style, Anjali imagines her wardrobe sounding like a playlist of Busy Woman by Sabrina Carpenter, Lost by Frank Ocean, and Teenage Dream by Katy Perry. Rummaging through her closet might lead you to her beloved Bottega Veneta Jodie. “Feeling ko lucky bag ko siya,” she shares. “’Pag may ginawa akong milestone—kunwari sa Preview Clique video interview, or nung nag-start akong mag-’fit check, suot ko siya.”
As for makeup, one non-negotiable stands out: Everything must be cruelty-free—a principle that extends well beyond her beauty pouch. “One of my advocacies is animal welfare. Nagre-rescue ako ng animals since the start of the pandemic. Actually, not just me—my whole family. May cat na sumunod sa dad ko during the pandemic, then we decided to take it in. Ever since, our love for animals has really grown. Right now, we have around 100 cats at home.”
Among her biggest dreams? To one day build an animal shelter—and maybe swap closets with Charlotte York from Sex and the City.
Once upon a time, the internet became obsessed with a clothing technology student’s bow bags—even Heart Evangelista wasn’t spared. The brainchild of Reese Collins Latonio eventually made its way to Vice Ganda, whom the 21-year-old business owner proudly calls his childhood hero. But from the start—and ultimately at its core—these bags were made for himself. “I just wanted to make a bag that sort of borderlines masculine and feminine. For me, leather is very masculine, so it gives me gender euphoria,” he explains. “Then, the more feminine part—I made it during the rise of the coquette [aesthetic].”
While bows weren’t something he gravitated toward growing up, he now sees them as a vital symbol in reclaiming femininity on his own terms, rather than conforming to any imposed standard. “I was a bit of an androgynous kid, so I realized I was non-binary at 14. I knew I wasn’t this very effeminate person, and eventually, I realized I was more transmasculine.”
“A lot of people think fashion is somewhat vain, somewhat luxurious—especially at a time like this. But I feel like fashion, when you truly embrace it at its core, is not only about self-expression, but also a reflection of society and culture... There’s something bigger to fashion than just looking good,” he says. Through his platform, he amplifies the visibility of transgender lives and creates sartorial magic. “Intentional” is the word that lingers throughout our conversation—something he’s placed on his 2025 bucket list and a quality that clearly defines his online presence.
In a virtual world of snappy movements and fleeting life snippets, his video series Sew What, Collins thrives in its behind-the-scenes charm: well-paced, insightful, patient, and deeply dedicated. “The decision to create clothing, to create fashion, to create narratives through clothing is very similar to the courage of choosing to transition—because both heavily rely on stories.”
Collins tells me he’s always been “theatric,” and it shows—even in how he talks about fictional characters he’d swap wardrobes with: White Collar’s Neal Caffrey for the sharp suits, and Moulin Rouge!’s Christian for the trench coats and neckties.
On some days, glitters and stickers decorate Naomi Kurechi’s lethal face card; on others, the 21-year-old model takes the runway by storm, like a new challenger unlocked in a video game. At least, that’s the impression her online presence gives. In person, she’s more like the cheerful, creative classmate you could chat with for hours about everything from beauty routines to rom-coms. If her wardrobe were to star in a movie, she’d pick To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or The Summer I Turned Pretty.
But if she were a fictional character with only one outfit to wear for an entire season? She’d go for “a nice staple dress that could work in most locations.”
When it comes to self-care, Naomi prioritizes inner work. For her, it’s about honoring what the body needs—like taking an extra rest day instead of pushing through a workout. “If I can feel my body asking for it, I’ll give that to myself,” she says. She also makes it a point to meditate and journal regularly.
Ultimately, when it comes to hobbies, Naomi wears many hats—and yes, they’re often crocheted by Naomi herself. “I don’t know what to call it—being a scatterbrain, I guess?” she laughs, reflecting on how she constantly jumps from one hobby to the next, always fueled by a steady stream of inspiration. Though she admits she’s “never been a social media person,” she’s always been knee-deep in YouTube. It began with DIY videos and eventually expanded into lifestyle and fashion content.
While Gen Z is often reduced to having short attention spans, Naomi’s constant itch for the next creative pursuit tells a different story. “I’ve always had this imagination. It started when I was a kid, because I didn’t have any gadgets or anything. That was the best time for my imagination,” she shares. “Like, I’d stare at the wall and see different figures. Until now, I still look around and get inspiration from things. In a way, I still have that childlike way of imagining and thinking.”
It’s hard to keep track of how many times Luis Jingco—better known as Jeyo—shapeshifts, and even harder to pinpoint a single magnum opus. He can be the beauty guru you discover while doom-scrolling, a photographer who thrives on conceptual challenges, or a creative director who makes you see your favorite brand in a new light. “My experience as a production designer and studio manager has equipped me with a unique skill set that significantly benefits my content creation journey. The strategies I use for managing projects, solving problems, and telling visual stories are transferable and essential to both aspects of my career,” he shares.
His closet—which he imagines fitting right into Clueless or Back to the Future—is a visual feast in itself. But as much as his style reads cool and editorial, his go-to source for fashion might surprise you: the department store at the mall. “My style evolution feels deeply personal. Each phase is tied to specific memories, emotions, and experiences. While some choices might seem unconventional—or even a little embarrassing now—they all hold a special place in my heart. They’re part of who I am,” he says.
