You have to see how giddy and animated Kathryn Bernardo becomes while dishing on what's perched atop her fashion wish list. You also have to spy the way her eyes shine when asked about exactly how she shops—if you're positively dying to know, she's a researcher, an obsessive online window shopper, by the way, making her precisely like you and I. Who would've thought?
She makes it look easy-peasy, too. She's a Preview Best Dressed List 2019 headliner for a reason! Here, we pause for a chat with the Hello, Love, Goodbye actress (and beau Daniel Padilla, who was just as eager to listen in on the fun), to walk us through her laidback-ladylike style. Bonus: Read on to find out which designer bag she recommends as the ultimate investment arm candy...and where the lovebirds might be headed to on their next jetsetting vacay.
Personal Style
In a few words, how would you describe your personal style?
"Very classic, minimalist, and slouchy…but a little sexy."
When did you pin this down as your personal aesthetic?
"Recently lang, actually! Kasi before…I don’t know, maybe when you’re young, 'di mo pa alam kung anong gusto mo, what suits you better. Before, medyo girly ako eh. And then, meron naman akong stage na puro skinny jeans, very casual. Pero now, I stick with anything I’m comfortable with wearing, and anything timeless. I stick to neutral tones now. I invest in classic pieces. So I think that’s what I’ve learned these past few years: Stick to the classics para kahit nakita mo siya five years from now, no cringe. [Laughs.]"
How has being an actress shaped your personal style through the years? Would you say that it has?
"It helped a lot, actually, because we have stylists. I can say kasi na before, hindi ako ganun ka hands-on with my looks. Kung may stylist, siya na yung bahala. Unlike now, mas merong personal touch na I’d collaborate with my stylist. Like now, sinabi ko, I wanna wear an orange suit na may shoulder pads. So mas specific. Nakatulong talaga yung being in this industry kasi you get to attend events and have pictorials na pwede kami mag play around with different looks. So sometimes yung mga unexpected trends or clothes na akala mo ayaw mo…once you try it on, ah, okay pala. You look good in it pala. Pag hindi ka naman artista, matatakot kang i-try, but I can be a bit experimental because of my job. It helped a lot."
What's something you said you'd never wear when you first started in the business that you love now?
"Shoulder pads. Before, I used to think they made me look old. [Laughs.] I love them now. Also, prints! Leopard, florals…ngayon na-appreciate ko siya."
Name five items in your closet that you absolutely can't live without.
"First, my round sunglasses. Second, my Chanel Boy bag, because I find it very classic, and I think for every girl, yun yung ma-re-recommend kong investment piece. I’ve had mine since I was 18, and sulit talaga.
White sneakers! For casual days, you need your white sneakers. My oversized black blazer. Pwede ko siya gamitin anytime, anywhere, depending on the styling. And, a good pair of jeans! I like my light-wash mom jeans. So versatile."
How would you describe your "uniform" outfit?
"I have these favorite loose black pants that my stylist had made in all colors [laughs], white sneakers, a cropped top, and a black blazer."
Shopping Habits
Where do you usually shop for clothes, bags, shoes, accessories?
"Usually, [Daniel and I] take advantage of our travels abroad. Recently, we went to Japan, and gustong puntahan ni DJ yung maraming thrift shops! And then, ang daming young Japanese designers na [one-of-a-kind]. We like things custom-made for us, too—magpapatahi kami sa mga designer friends namin para wala masyadong kamukha and the fit is perfect, tailor-made."
Are you an impulse buyer or more of an I'll-think-about-it-first kind of shopper? Why?
"Well…for example, pag may gusto akong bag, may picture na ako, nag-research na ako, so pag pumunta na ako sa store, titignan ko nalang—one last tingin—then bibilhin ko na. So combination? [Laughs.] Pero, pag may nagustuhan naman ako, ayoko yung sasabihin ko na babalikan ko, kasi never yan mangyayari. If I like something, bibilhin ko na, kasi hindi ko alam kung mababalikan ko pa. Or, ayokong pagsisihan! Usually I plan everything that I buy according to budget, of course, and mahilig akong tumingin-tingin para I know na what I like. Para hindi ako ma-overwhelm sa maraming choices pagdating sa store. Yun nalang yung focus ko."
What's at the top of your fashion wish list right now?
"Sinabi ko kay DJ kanina! Bottega Veneta, they have this oversized shoulder bag in their signature [Intrecciatio] style. I saw the new fashion show and collection online, and sabi ko, oh my god. Pag nag-Rome kami, titignan ko siya. Hindi ako fan ng malaking bag, pero ito feeling ko pwede sa beach, sa airport. And it’s cheaper in Italy. [Laughs.]"
Fashion Picks
What's your fashion obsession nowadays? Why?
"Ironic, pero small bags! Ever since, I’ve had a thing for small bags, yung hindi mo na alam kung anong malalagay sa loob. [Laughs.] My favorite is yung bigay sakin ni DJ last year, a Louis Vuitton Petite Malle. Nasusuot ko siya kahit casual, when I travel, wherever I go. I love it."
Complete the sentence: Fashion makes me feel ___.
"Confident. I’ve always believed that the way you present yourself is very important. And whenever I know I look good or maganda yung damit ko, it affects my mood and how I carry myself. Ang laking part ng fashion sa life ko. It makes me confident."
Produced by Steph Sison
Photographed by Shaira Luna
Art Direction by Bacs Arcebal
Set Design by Aren Dale Santos of ADSET Production
Video Produced by Maura Rodriguez
Video Directed by Karlo Torio
Assistant Video Director JF Calimag
Videography by Sernne Dominia
Video Production Assistant Gerol Candelaria
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