The fashionista in Mariel

There is a subject that is sure to light up Mariel Rodriguez’s eyes and make her talk a mile a minute: Clothes.

A model before becoming a TV host-actress, Mariel knows what she likes when it comes to fashion and she wears only what works best for her.

Mariel likes colorful clothes. However, since becoming a high-profile celebrity, she knows that it’s not always personal taste that wins out in her choices.

As Mariel puts it, she dresses for the location and the occasion.

“Like I can’t wear black in Wowowee because the color just won’t jive with the show’s fun concept. There are times naman when I can’t wear colorful clothes like when I had to go on E Live during our special coverage of President Cory’s (Aquino) wake. Dapat talaga marunong ka lumugar pero at all times remember to never wear pangit!” she said.

Fortunately, she has an ally in Meg Clothing for which she and Bianca Gonzalez have their own line of clothes. Although Mariel admits that she doesn’t design the clothes herself, she gives them valuable inputs on what type of clothes she likes — from the cut to the fabric — which hopefully the buying public would also appreciate.

Easily one of the most beautiful actresses we have today, Mariel nevertheless admits there are certain cuts that just won’t do for her. She is particularly conscious that her clothes don’t show off her arms (which she thinks are “hideously fat” though we don’t agree) and that the accessories she wears either stand out or complement her ensemble.

She said that the whole point of wearing accessories is to complete “a look.” It doesn’t matter if it’s just a hundred peso bangle or pendant as long as it doesn’t end up becoming just a bauble.

“May statement dapat or may dahilan kung bakit mo sinuot yung accessory. It’s either for it to become a focal point or to jazz up what would otherwise be an ordinary get-up,” she said.

Mariel listens to feedback. According to her, she takes note of every comment thrown at her attire so she could wear more of the same next time or ban such from her wardrobe.

She added that the best barometer for fashion is everyday people. Mariel keeps an eye out on what pieces of Meg Clothing are actually worn by young professionals and college students. If she spots you wearing Meg, don’t be surprised if she actually calls out to you even if you’re a stranger.

“Sinasabi ko talaga, ‘Wow, Meg ang suot mo!’ Natutuwa kasi ako kapag ganun dahil alam ko na kahit papano, I’m on the right track and with the right company. As an endorser of the brand, there is pressure on me to represent Meg the best way I can, so for me to see people buying Meg means I’m probably doing right.”

Mariel is such a fabric addict that she always keeps three sets of clothes in her car. She explained that one must be prepared at all times.

“Hindi mo kasi alam kung kelan may matatanggal na butones sa damit mo or when a zipper would jam. Also, you’ll never know when you’ll have the same color as your co-host so ayaw mo namang mangyari na para kayong mag-pro-production number!”

She had liked Meg even before they got her as endorser because the clothing line never ceases to surprise her. She said that many times she would see a new Meg design and she herself would say, “Meg yan?”

“They just really have this good pool of designers who are in the know when it comes to fashion,” she said.

Mariel is not only fashion-conscious on-cam. At home, Mariel has clothes that she really invested on; mostly good sleepwear because she says, “I don’t want to be caught wearing an ugly pajama on the street in case I need to run out if my house burns down or something!”