Dolly de Leon has been making history right before our very eyes. Getting lauded for her awe-inspiring work on a film titled Triangle of Sadness, the tenured actress is nothing but joyful to represent Filipino talent on the global stage. From the Golden Globes to the BAFTAs, Dolly has made it clear: She is the moment.
The person who takes the driver's seat when it comes to her paparazzi-worthy looks is LJ Perez, a Filipino stylist currently based in New York City. For LJ, it was some sort of destiny for him and Dolly to meet and work together. For the past few months, they've been championing a distinctly Pinoy brand of glamour on the red carpets, serving ensembles that make it to best-dressed lists all over the world.
Ahead, in an exclusive interview with Preview, LJ talks about what it's like dolling up the one-and-only Dolly de Leon. Spoiler: She's apparently a "Lizzbian," one could say.
Preview Exclusive: LJ Perez On Being Dolly de Leon's Stylist
Please describe the first time you and Dolly met.
"'I love being near water, I have a connection with the moon, muted tones are my style…" that’s me getting to know Dolly for the first time over Zoom. Symbolism is vital to me, so [that] my clients feel that there's a personal touch in the things they're wearing."
How did you end up working together? How does it feel to style her for her red-carpet appearances and press events?
"I shouted to the universe and manifested styling Dolly for her Golden Globes stint, and voila, the universe sent answers in the personas of Geena Rocero and Clint Ramos. They are our common angels, and we are connected because of them."
As her stylist for these events, what can you say about her personal style/aesthetic?
"Dolly is very kalog, chill to work with, and very bakla. She gets me and is open to suggestions, which is a gem in this lifetime. I am obsessed with Dolly’s fluidity; she can be chic and tomboy in a Prabal Gurung suit [and] then flip [into] a Sunday church girl in Miu Miu."
How did you go about choosing the designers to tap for each event? Why did you choose them to dress Dolly for each of her appearances?
"My styling ethos is always one of collaboration with the clients I’m working with. I want Dolly to be the global star that she is: modern, elevated, but still Dolly. And my only goal is for Dolly to steal the scene and make all cameras pan her way."
Has your personal relationship with Dolly developed since you first met? How would you describe her as a friend?
"We danced while playing Lizzo’s music during [the] Golden Globes, and from then on, I knew we were going to jive and that she was a cool person. I even told her some stories about Lizzo since she's one of the girls I work with. We share good laughs, memes, stories, and of course, my eye and expertise [when she needs them.]"
From all of the looks Dolly has worn these past few months for awards season, which ones are your favorites, and why?
"Every look we did has its fair share of [stories], and all of them caught the attention of the press, which is the end goal. This is Dolly’s time. This is for all Filipino creatives."
What’s something interesting you learned about Dolly that her fans don’t know?
"You’ll be surprised at Dolly’s music taste. She has a banger playlist!"
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