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Preview's Best Dressed List 2024
Hailing from different fields and generations, this year's list is a testament to how instrumental fashion is in expressing one's most authentic self.
by Em Enriquez
Published Sep 5, 2024
This 2024, Preview's Best Dressed List spotlights standout personalities whose personal styles have become extensions of who they are and what they represent in society.
For many, fashion can be ascribed to being one's second skin. In the world we move in today, where limits to one’s self-expression seem apparent, it’s become increasingly vital to establish and uphold one’s individuality. With this in mind, the clothes we put on our backs become extensions of who we are and what we stand for in the grand scheme of things.
This 2024, Preview honors standout personalities who’ve maximized fashion’s empowering nature. Each hailing from different generations and varying fields of expertise, these individuals have embodied what it means to stay true to themselves—while knocking their unique styles out of the park! Meet them below.
Preview's Best Dressed List 2024
David Licauco
Like most of his wardrobe choices, David is quiet and uncomplicated, yet is brimming with charisma. One would seldom spot the nation’s beloved gentleman in loud prints or over-the-top silhouettes, as he’s all about keeping it chill. When he’s not in character donning ensembles from periods of time gone by, he dresses himself on the nonchalant side of things.
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Josh Tolentino
Given his multiple endeavors, the Sparkle GMA actor picks out looks that can easily take him from a business meeting to a photo shoot (and perhaps even a workout after.) At this point in his career, his laidback sense of style has become a tool in allowing his boy-next-door charm to shine through. A silent confidence has brewed within David, and it’s something many onlookers can’t help but obsess over.
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What’s a fashion trend you want to start or bring back?
“1940s style. During the 1940s, very loose yung pants, tapos high-waisted. Naka-pomada yung mga tao. Prim and proper sila.”
Josh Tolentino
Janine Gutierrez
Janine is your favorite fashion girl’s favorite fashion girl. Throughout her career, the actress has become a muse for many local designers and a trusted face for brands seeking to reach the audiences only she has access to. The myriad of characters she’s played on-screen has influenced her to try different styles, and it’s come to a point where quite literally anything looks good on her.
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Josh Tolentino
Honed by the swift pace of show business, Janine has learned how to transition her style from one aesthetic to the next. She could exude elegance in a Vania Romoff frock, and later in the day, serve off-duty chic in an oversized denim jacket and Salomon trainers. For her, there is no secret to being the consummate fashion girl, as all it takes is to feel good in your own skin.
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Whose closet would you love to raid?
“BJ Pascual. He has such a good selection of vintage designer clothing… He has a lot of womenswear pieces, and I love wearing menswear pieces. So together, there are no distinctions or categories, it’s really about what we want to wear.”
Josh Tolentino
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Ces Drilon
The nation knows Ces as a familiar face on our nightly news programs. While she’s taken a break from the hustle of her career, she remains updated on what’s bustling in the country, especially in the sartorial sense. Even if there were instances when she was criticized for being “too fashionable” for her job, Ces’ love for dressing up—instilled in her by her mother—never faltered. She gravitates towards maximalist pieces that are unique and intricately-made.
Josh Tolentino
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At this stage of her life, Ces has pivoted to being a staunch patron of Filipino designers, particularly ones that make sustainability a priority. “If you buy local, you're [not only] helping the environment, [but] you're also helping local artisans and workers. You’re helping local businesses grow,” she states matter-of-factly.
Which designers are exciting you right now?
“Steph Verano. I was her muse for Artefino and ang ganda ng clothes niya. There’s a uniqueness about her. I also admire Jaggy Glarino, Jojie Lloren, Dennis Lustico, and Patty Ang.”
Josh Tolentino
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Toff de Venecia
The future is creative for Toff, former representative of the fourth district of Pangasinan. In recent State of the Nation Addresses, he’s stood out with his modern interpretations of Filipiniana attire, all of which have featured imagery of his hometown’s primary export, bangus.
Dressing this way, as “un-congressman-like” as it may be to traditionalists, is his way of expressing his advocacy for young creatives. “The passion I have to fight for the creative economy on the inside should somehow be reflected on how I look on the outside,” he puts it.
Josh Tolentino
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Through these efforts, Toff introduces young and independent designers to plenary halls and other political spaces they wouldn’t have penetrated on their own. He equates his eccentric wardrobe choices to positively disrupting the status quo. “It's about introducing novel ideas that are really for the betterment of governance and society,” he says.
Which designers are exciting you right now?
“Locally, there are so many of them that excite me. I've worn most of them, like Kelvin Morales, RJ Santos of Randolf, or Nicolo Perez. Even the masters like Rik Rasos of Proudrace, Ivarluski Aseron, and Jaggy Glarino. There's so much reinvention that's happening, which is exciting to me.”
Josh Tolentino
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Matteo Guidicelli
Matteo's manner of dressing is an homage to his cross-cultural upbringing. He borrows a lot of style cues from his grandfather, who, in his book, was the quintessential Venetian man. This translates to crisp linen suits and shirts, rendered in soft hues of pinks, yellows, and creams. Matteo fuses this with the straightforward Cebuano approach to style, resulting in simple yet oh-so-elegant outfits.
Josh Tolentino
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In retrospect, the actor and businessman has learned a lot from his days as a matinee idol. Now free from the pressures of looking like a typical artista, Matteo has zeroed in on what works for him and his cosmopolitan lifestyle. In his words, “With fashion, there are trends and there are seasons, but true style is something that lasts forever.”
Whose closet would you love to raid?
“Brunello Cucinelli. He’s the man. He’s simple yet elegant.”
Josh Tolentino
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Jason Dhakal
When asked to describe their aesthetic, Jason paints an animated picture: “So it’s this person in the 2000s, let’s say 2004. But they dress like they’re from the ‘70s.” Known for their smooth and sultry vocals, the singer-songwriter has steadily solidified their sound alongside their personal style. Fashion has always been a source of inspiration for Jason, who says that an affinity to dressing up is almost second nature for queer people such as themself.
Josh Tolentino
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Having grown up somewhere where the majority of people dressed homogeneously, Jason has learned the importance of honing one’s individuality. It’s a conscious effort on their part to establish who they are through how they dress. “When people see [what I’m wearing], I want them to go, ‘Oh, that’s very Jason,’” they illustrate.
What’s a fashion trend you want to start or bring back?
“I'm so over trends. I think the word trend is done. I think the trend now is to just do what you want to do. Just wear what you want to wear.”
Josh Tolentino
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Xtina Superstar
Within the subdued lights of Manila’s nightlife scene is a thriving community that fulfills its fantasies through music and fashion. Among them is Xtina, a DJ and veteran model. Every month at CHURCH, a queer-centric party she co-organizes, Xtina becomes a doll for local designers to dress up. Behind the turntable, she has rocked standout looks by celebrated LGBTQIA+ designers Martin Bautista, Cheetah Rivera, RJ Santos of Randolf, and more.
Josh Tolentino
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Like many trans women, Xtina attests to the liberating and empowering power fashion holds. “Queer people love to express their identity through the clothes that they wear,” she says, “It's a tool for self-expression.” In this regard, she dresses for no one else but herself. Her super-stardom lies in the fact that she’s always been loyal to her own brand of glamor and style.
An Xtina Superstar outfit isn’t complete without…
“A full glam. It always takes me like three hours to get ready and I think it's my favorite process of dressing up. It relaxes me. It's sort of like therapy.”
Josh Tolentino
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Niana Guerrero
In an era where fashion trends, aesthetics, and -cores are birthed at rapid rates, Niana has learned to dance to the beat of her drum. A poster child for Gen Z’s upbeat sensibilities, the TikTok phenomenon has nurtured her style in conjunction with her love for dance and content creation. She describes Gen Z style as “playful, evolving, and unique,” which also perfectly illustrates who she is as a person.
Josh Tolentino
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Having just turned 18 years old earlier this 2024—donning a Michael Cinco debutante gown that ended all other debutante gowns, no less—Niana looks forward to continually elevating the way she dresses. “Niana-Core,” as it seems, is all about sticking to what feels true to you. Sprinkle in a little (or a lot of) fun for good measure!
Which designers are exciting you right now?
“Definitely Off-White. I also love me some Prada, Dior, Rick Owens, and Louis Vuitton.”
Josh Tolentino
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Issa Pressman
Issa has dabbled into numerous art forms, but her most significant piece of work is inarguably herself. “I see fashion as paint and my body as the canvas,” she muses, “I just flow with it. Sometimes I don't really think too much about it. It’s like creating lines and distortions and seeing beauty in that distortion.”
The 29-year-old designer and musician always incorporates some juxtaposition into her looks, whether that’s through combining prints or pairing together contrasting silhouettes. It’s a perpetual process of mixing and mismatching for Issa, who admits that her style is as dynamic as life itself. One day she feels like paring things down, and the next, she just wants to go balls to the wall.
Josh Tolentino
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What matters, in Issa’s terms, is to always adhere to what feels genuine to you. “Now that I'm gaining my confidence back, I'm also gaining my style and maximalism back,” she shares, “That's what I noticed. It really matches. Your personality and your fashion really come hand in hand.”
An Issa Pressman outfit isn’t complete without…
“A scarf or a bandana. I can put it on my head or around my neck. I can put it on my arm. I can make it into a skirt. It’s something that I always bring on any trip that I go on. I always have one because it's very useful and can just jazz stuff up.”
Josh Tolentino
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SB19
The quintet of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin—globally known and adored as SB19—likens their dynamic to an aquarium. As varied as their individual characteristics may be, as a whole, the P-Pop collective presents a unified and magnetic image that puts Filipino talent at the forefront. Each time they step on stage is a prime opportunity to flaunt the craftsmanship of local designers such as Neric Beltran, Marian Zara, Maison Soriano, Renan Pascon, and more.
Josh Tolentino
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Each member possesses their own respective aesthetic, with mobility being a non-negotiable to their looks given their intense performance routines. A key element that we don’t necessarily see, however, is the firm sense of confidence they’ve honed through the years.
“The stage [is] very empowering for us… [It heightens our] confidence to try different things [and] to experiment with everything we wear,” band leader Pablo expresses.
What’s a fashion trend you guys want to start or bring back?
“Yung emo look, yung very gothic style. Leather skinny jeans paired with boots, ganon. Pwede mo syang i-mix with modern styles din.”
Josh Tolentino
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Produced by The Preview Team
Photographer: Josh Tolentino
Creative Director: Bacs Arcebal
Editor-in-Chief: Marj Ramos-Clemente
Production: Em Enriquez and Reg Rodriguez
Makeup: Team Muriel Vega Perez (Ces, Jason, Toff), Nathan Ferolino (David), Justine Navato (Janine), Raffy Mendiola (Niana), Mac Igarta (SB19)
Hairstyling: Team Muriel Vega Perez (Ces, Jason, Toff, Xtina), Nathan Ferolino (David), JA Feliciano (Janine), Gab Villegas (Niana), Mark Familiara (SB19)
Story: Em Enriquez
Videos: Jana Jodloman
Backdrop from Schmidli Backdrops
Shot at Balara Content Studio
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