Woman of Style: Tetta Agustin, Givenchy's favorite Asian model

MANILA, Philippines - Tetta Agustin is a legend in the Philippine fashion industry. She was the first and to this day one of only a handful of Filipinas to walk the runways of Paris. At a time when opportunities were scarce and modeling agencies were few, at 5 feet and 7 inches with a 21-inch waistline, Tetta beat all odds and conquered the European fashion world with her dark, exotic looks and gutsy, Filipina charm.

“I went to Rome first but Emilio Pucci told me that I would find more luck modeling in Paris,” Tetta tells me matter-of-factly. “I flew out immediately,” she adds. Within days of going to the Catherine Harley Modeling Agency she was sent out on castings; she went to Madame Grés and Nina Ricci but was deemed too thin for their clothes. Her last go-see was for Givenchy. M. Hubert de Givenchy had already completed his lineup for the show but when he saw Tetta, he dropped the Asian model he had already booked and replaced her with Tetta. Right there and then she signed a contract to become a Givenchy model. This fortuitous turn of events launched the illustrious modeling career of the dusky Manileña in Paris.

Captivating in blue: Tetta Agustin in a jersey dress by Mosaic and gladiator shoes by Charles & Keith.She wears a 24K gold-plated neckpiece- turned-belt with rutilated quartz and freshwater pearls, sterling silver earrings dipped in rose gold, 24K gold-plated bangle

From 1974, Tetta worked as a mannequin for the haute couture houses of fashion greats like Emanuel Ungaro, Pierre Cardin, Renato Balestra, Emilio Pucci, Givenchy and YSL. Side by side with other models of that era, Tetta Agustin ruled the Paris runway and appeared in some of what the fashion world considers today as groundbreaking, revolutionary work by the pillars of the industry, including the classic and iconic 1975 “Le Smoking Suit” collection of Yves St. Laurent.  

Tetta’s life story makes for a blockbuster memoir, a surefire best-seller. From the runways of Paris to the boardroom of her office in London, from the Cannes Film Festival to the Royal Ascot, from the safaris in Africa to the rallies in Perigord, from the dance floor of Annabel’s-London to the yacht parties on the French Riviera, from the islands of the Philippines to the ski slopes of the Alps, from exclusive soirees to lavish banquets with royalty, celebrities and famous personalities to a private audience with the Pope in the Vatican, Tetta has done it all, seen it all. Her little black book could probably fetch a princely sum for its notable list of who’s who in business, politics, fashion and arts, show business, even royalty. Yet, Tetta has resisted the prodding of many to tell all; She has been made tempting financial offers, in fact several well-known best-selling authors have volunteered to write her biography but she demurs from the thought and steadfastly declines.

Entrés vous: Tetta Agustin at the entrance to her house in a silk top with black piping and slit sleeves by BCBG and black tights with Rebecca Rei gold sandals, match with a 24K gold-plated neckpiece with agate.

“These people told me their secrets in confidence, we shared many wonderful moments together and they treated me as a friend, even as family, so I just cannot find it in my heart to betray their trust,” Tetta explains. “I would much rather keep all the memories in my mind and in my heart,” she added wistfully.

Tetta has been married twice and divorced once. She is mother to a beautiful daughter, Tosca; she once lost everything to a bad investment but determinedly worked her way back up to financial success, even refusing to accept the 600,000 English pounds her friends had pulled together to help her start over. Today, Tetta is an accomplished and fulfilled woman who despite her glittery, glamorous life in Europe remains true to her Filipina self.

I have known of Tetta Agustin most of my life and I always wanted to meet her and tell her that she was an inspiration to all of us aspiring models back then. In fact Gary Flores, famed fashion choreographer of the ’70s and ’80s, named me after her. I always had this image of her as a woman of the world — beautiful and glamorous in couture, oozing with self-confidence and quick to switch from one language to another in conversation, commanding attention wherever she goes. In her early 60’s she is still all of that, but what impressed me the most in all of our meetings was her unassuming character, her warm, welcoming nature and her heart of gold — plus her throaty, childlike laughter!

In a rare and exclusive interview with Philippine STAR, Tetta opens up about herself from that fateful day that she met Renato Balestra in Manila.

PHILIPPINE STAR: I was under the impression that you were a Hyatt Regency-La Concha model. Was that where you started modeling?

TETTA AGUSTIN: I produced a series of fashion shows around the Philippines for Dante Ramirez and I was also one of the models; that was actually how I got started. Of course, after that, I began modeling at the Hyatt Regency as well.

How did you end up in Europe?

I met Renato Balestra after a show I did at the Hyatt Regency and he was very friendly; he said that if I decided to go to Rome, he would help me find modeling work.

That must have been very exciting; how young were you when you headed to Europe? Did you immediately get booked in Rome?

I was 24 years old, considered quite young in those days. I did not work in Rome because when I went to see Emilio Pucci he told me I was too petite for Rome fashion. He told me to go to France because he was quite certain I would have more chance to work in Paris.

Wow, meeting Renato Balestra and Emilio Pucci must have been a model’s dream-come-true. So did you heed his advice?

Yes, I did and the minute I arrived in Paris, I went to the Catherine Harley Modeling Agency. They sent me out to castings almost immediately and I got booked on the spot by M. Hubert de Givenchy himself for his upcoming show.

You must have been over the moon, modeling for Givenchy. How was that like? Who were the other models in the show?

I was thrilled and felt very lucky. I worked with Jerry Hall, Iman, Lauren Hutton, Marie Helvin, Margaux Hemingway and Janice Dickinson. I was a cabin model for Givenchy so we did shows every afternoon for his most valuable clients like socialite Bunny Mellon, the Duchess of Windsor and former American First Lady Jackie Kennedy. Once I was called to do a show at The Ritz Paris for Barbara Hutton.

What was it like modeling in Paris at that time? How did everyone treat you?

Quite honestly, I treated it as a job, a way to make a living. It was fun but tiring at the same time. All the models wanted to be the star of the show and that was all good. The models treated me like their younger sister even though I was older than most of them.

Winter solstice: Tetta Agustin (right) in a classic winter jacket and skirt ensemble from M. Hubert de Givenchy for Madame Express.

Did you get to wear the clothes of the designers you worked with? Do you still have them today?

Yes, because the designers lent us clothes to wear to social events and they extended good discounts to the models so I bought many clothes back then. I auctioned off some of my vintage Givenchy and YSL pieces but I still have many of them in my house in Cannes.

Whose shows did you like doing the most? Did you forge any serious friendship with them?

I enjoyed doing the shows of Givenchy, YSL and Yuki Torimaru, a Japanese designer based in London because they all had different styles. M. Hubert de Givenchy and Yuki are my daughter’s godparents.

I hear you are a very savvy businesswoman. What business are you involved in?

After I retired from modeling in 1982, I started buying properties in England; they were so inexpensive then. I opened a travel agency on Buckingham Palace Road and I was also the first Filipina to open a remittance business in Europe for all our kababayans.

You established residence in Europe. How many houses do you own? Which one do you consider home?

We have three houses; we spend winter in Manila, most of spring and summer in Cannes and the rest of the time in Brussels when we are not traveling to see friends and family. For me, home has nothing to do with bricks and furnishing, it has everything to do with the spirit that fills it.

I hear you initiated divorce proceedings with your first husband and you gave him a large divorce settlement, is that true?

Yes, I asked for the divorce and it is true that I gave him a sizeable divorce settlement.

And you found true love the second time around with French businessman Christian Baverey.

Occupy Paris: Tetta Agustin (3rd from left) and other models take Avenue Marceau in Paris with Gina Lollobrigida (center) after the YSL show.

I hear you collect vintage cars. How did you develop a liking for them?

Yes, you can say I found true love the second time around. Christian and I have been together for 16 years and he is a lovely, good-natured, caring and charming man. We complement each other and my family and friends adore him.

Who or what makes you happy and content these days? Who or what gives you pride and joy?

I have always been content with my life and the people I am with. My daughter Tosca makes me laugh, she is hilarious. She also makes me proud; she just finished her law degree specializing in corporate law at the University College of London. Last April, she passed the New York bar exam and the American State bar exam and she is now looking for a job; she has offers from a New York and a Brazilian law firm.

Is Tosca anything like you?

Yes, very much so. She is intelligent, funny, always happy, kind and caring like me.

In the ‘80s, I bought a limited-edition Aston Martin (only eight were manufactured in all) and a Dino Ferrari from a friend who needed money but it is actually my husband who appreciates vintage cars. He has over 20 cars in his collection and we join a few rallies in Europe every year.

Since you have lived most of your life in Europe, how much of you is still Filipina?

I am 100-percent Filipina, always hospitable and happy.

How many languages do you speak?

I can communicate in five languages: French, Italian, Spanish, English and of course, Tagalog.

What do you love doing most when you are not working?

I manage our households so I take care of our daily needs. I travel a lot with my husband and we always love going to galleries because we used to collect art as well. We enjoy looking at paintings, antique furniture and other works of art.

What is your most favorite place to visit in the world?

Wherever there is the sun and the sea. 

If given the opportunity, is there something you would like to change about your life? Why?

Nothing, I am very happy the way I am and I hope that never changes.

Do you have any other hobbies besides collecting vintage cars and participating in rallies?

I don’t know if you would call them hobbies but I have an “eating group” and I am a member of a cultural group in Europe.

How do other Filipinos in Europe view you?

A superstar! Joking aside, they think I am kind and generous.

In the past few years you have decided to spend more time in the Philippines; what prompted you to do that?

I guess because we are not getting any younger, I thought it was a good idea to go back to the place I came from, my roots. Besides, it is wonderful in the Philippines when it is winter in Europe.

What is your most favorite food?

Ginataang kohol and frog legs.

How do you keep fit and healthy?

I really don’t do anything; I have been very lucky to keep healthy all these years.

Is there anything that makes you inis?

Nothing, really, I do not like to entertain negative thoughts or feelings, nakakatanda yan!

What is the craziest thing you have done in your life and what lesson did you learn from it?

I have done countless crazy things in my life and I never learned any lesson from them! But I have no regrets.

Is there anything else in life that you haven’t done and would like to do?

To marry all my exes. Truthfully, I am very satisfied with what I have accomplished in my life but I will always leave space for something new in the future.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Complete, happy and still crazy!

What is your current state of mind?

Interested and curious.

You worked hard to be where you are right now, what advice would you give to other Filipinas to find success and fulfillment?

Know yourself, be true to yourself and find out what you are good at. Then set a goal and use your understanding of yourself to achieve that.