Malu Francisco • The allure of beauty

MANILA, Philippines - With movies like The Devil Wears Prada, audiences seem to believe that they now understand — in full depth and breadth — the “hellish life” behind the klieg lights, off and on the runway. Despite being inspired by real people and actual moments, these clips are all but stylized, choreographed snippets on film that are the product of half-fiction and half-Hollywood lights.

The scene in the real fashion world is far from what plays on the silver screen. And Malu Francisco, the marketing communications manager of Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI), the exclusive Philippine franchisee of luxury international fashion labels like Gucci, Prada, Charriol, Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Kate Spade and 70 others, knows only too well  the story behind it all, from the meeting room down to the final curtain call.

Fulfilling the requirements of the SSI principals on a weekly basis (from advertising, publicity, promotions and events) is no walk in the park. Actually, it’s more like a circus, with principals, executives, fashion teams and marketing teams, all asking for Malu’s undivided attention. While others would have crumbled under the immense pressure, Malu manages to effortlessly juggle it all (including motherhood), while looking fashionably chic.

Malu first joined Rustan’s in the early ‘90s as merchandiser for Toys and Nursery Furniture for Rustan’s Department Store. She then made her way through the Cosmetics & Perfumeries and Advertising & Promotions departments where she worked as the merchandiser manager and division manager, respectively. It was almost a decade later, in 2001, that Malu assumed her present role in the marketing communications department of SSI. 

 â€œ(My steely work ethic) was all born out of necessity,” reveals this BS Hotel and Restaurant Administration graduate from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. “I was a solo parent to two babies. I found myself jobless and having to put food on the table, so I gritted my teeth, decided not to wallow in self-pity, and re-joined the work force 21 years ago.” And by God’s grace, she chuckles, her babies are now all grown up and she’s enjoying her turn to be pampered by her son and daughter immensely.

Malu has learned to become a vision of calm. Her secret?

“Laughter,” she says. “This is the best stress reliever I know.”

Malu also says that she has the utmost respect for all of her team’s ideas and suggestions on how to make things work better and faster, even if it means changing procedures or forms she devised some 10 years ago.

Sharing her wisdom, Malu reveals: “The most beautiful woman is one who is at peace with who she is and exudes confidence that comes with that acceptance. She is beautiful because she defines beauty as not merely the (physical attributes) she is born with, but a quality that can be acquired, learned and earned.”

Photography by RITA ABIOG • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. •  Styling by MIKKA VELASQUEZ • Makeup by SARI CAMPOS • Hairstyling by CHA VICUÑA • Green asymmetrical draped dress by RAOUL; short caftan dress by LAUNDRY by SHELLI SEGAL • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Shot on location at the FAIRMONT PRESIDENTIAL SUITE