Woman of Style: Monique Toda's suite life

Manila, Philippines - When Monique Toda isn’t traveling with her husband to their home in San Francisco or lunching with her old Assumption classmates (“And I mean old,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve known them since grade school!”) or creating her own floral arrangements for her home (a personal hobby of hers), she’s powering through the day as Renaissance Makati City Hotel’s director of communications. Having held a post in PR for almost 20 years, Monique has earned her place on the public relations totem pole, managing various tasks for the company that involve more than just schmoozing with the right folks.

“In a nutshell, it’s marketing the hotel through various communications mediums,” says Monique. “There’s also the managing of the brand’s image, creating special events and implementing community and charitable projects, among others.”

When the idea of having her closet raided by this newspaper was broached, the PR professional originally shied away from the notion, claiming she wasn’t really a “fashionista.” “I’m not trendy,” she says, deadpan. “I wear a lot of black.” 

“You’ll probably find me in a bookstore more than a clothing shop,” she says. “I’m a nerd. I find more pleasure in books.” True enough, when we enter her home office, a relaxing beige space, we discover shelves lined entirely with books (with authors ranging from Nigella Lawson to Gabriel Garcia Marquez to J.K. Rowling). She spends most of her day online, reading blogs. Aside from The Huffington Post, she enjoys browsing through more lurid fare such as Lanie Gossip, a celebrity-centric site helmed by a supposed insider with an acerbic tongue. “I also check out X17,” she says with a sheepish laugh, constantly updating her celeb knowledge from her shiny new MacBook. “When there’s no Internet, I feel like I can’t breathe.”

Though quick to deny her status as a clothes fiend, her closet is chock-full of classic pieces that any fashion follower worth their outstanding Visa credit card bill would drool over. Wrap dresses, designer footwear and jewelry, plenty of which were purchased during her travels with husband Bengy Toda (whose family, by the way, used to own Philippine Airlines), serve as the backbone of her wardrobe.

Her latest discovery is Robert Rodriguez, a relatively new designer label she’s suddenly enjoying. “His prints are so fresh,” she says of the cinched number she wears in the previous page. Purchased at Itsie Bitsie, the boutique owned by her husband’s niece, she often turns to the clothier’s repertoire of tasteful pieces for cocktail and day dresses.

Bracelets, in particular, are her favorite accessories. “I wear them every day,” she says. Her purse collection shows a surprising amount of range. Goyard, Tory Burch (every prepster’s favorite — and Monique, from her pearl earrings and immaculately coiffed hair to her Prada slingbacks, is definitely preppy), Gucci and Louis Vuitton are well represented.

Though most of her wardrobe comes in black — which we can all agree is the uniform of sophisticated professionals — her closet is filled with classics that fit her to a T.

For someone who calls herself a fashion neophyte, she sure doesn’t dress like one.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

I’m a slow-riser. I wake up early but stay in bed a while before getting ready for the day. Once I’m up though, it’s non-stop for me.

You’re a keen book lover. How many books do you read in a week?

I constantly read but I take my time. You can say that I savor the books. I probably read three books a month.

What book do you keep returning to?

Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie and One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. They are the ultimate for me — the benchmark. Of course, I also love the Harry Potter series of J.K. Rowling.

What places have you traveled to that continue to inspire you?

I like going to San Francisco; London and Paris are beautiful cities. Visually stunning. You can feel their cultures by just walking the streets.

What, aside from work, gives you a sense of fulfillment?

Having a balanced life. Work, though important, is only one aspect. Spending time with family, having my alone time, reading great literature, and discovering new things. Really, many things give me fulfillment.

If your house were on fire, what would you grab first?

Pablo, my chihuahua, all my records and documents and then jewelry. That’s assuming everyone has run out and saved himself/herself.

What piece defines your everyday style?

Dresses, mostly in black. I love wearing them. Most of my clothes for work are dresses.

Do you have any fundamental rules of dressing?

If I feel that what I am wearing is somehow contrived or not me, I won’t wear it.

How has your style progressed since you were a teen?

I guess when you’re younger you tend to be trendy and experiment because you don’t really know yourself yet. Right now, I shed whatever is not me and just simplify.

What do you regret buying the most?

Countless stuff. I’m an emotional and impulsive shopper. Think of a silver blouse that looks like aluminum foil. That’s just one.

Between a new dog and a pricey purse, what would you rather splurge on?

My dog.

Best sartorial advice from your parents?

From my mom: Never step out of the house without looking presentable. You can be casual but still put-together.

What would you never be caught dead in?

Cut-off denim shorts and boots.