MANILA, Philippines - Mark Nicosia and Mia Ayesa’s love story is not something out of romance novels.
“I met you when you attended a polo game, and I DJ-ed for the after party, but you never remember that. We met again after about a year when you enrolled at LBA (Looper Beat Academy), but you thought it was the first time we met,” says Mark.
Mia insists that she remembers the polo game, “I was asking you to play something rock.” But technically, the pair was only properly introduced at LBA (now under Bounce Electronic Music and DJ School), where Mark coincidentally is head instructor and course developer. Mia, on the other hand, is a former ballet dancer and model who saw DJ-ing as a new way to express her creativity.
“I saw my ballet injury as a broken wing, and thought that simply being onstage would make me happy again, and the most accessible way to attain that (given my height) was by being a runway model... but after a while, I started to realize how much I had missed visual art and music.”
Sparks didn’t fly immediately. There were no fireworks when the two crossed paths again. In fact, Mark gave the then-aspiring DJ a hard time because he hated the idea of models turned DJs and how it was suddenly on-trend when it’s not really something new. “I was (a model) before and I hated the fact that it wasn’t a big deal then...So I took it out on you,” he says, laughing. Mia replies, “I breezed through those like it was nothing,” her words laced with sarcasm. They did, however, agree on one thing and that is, “Disagreeing with this trendy model/DJ phenomenon.”
Mia proved to Mark, as well as to the local stage that she takes DJ-ing seriously. “I started recognizing your drive because you were insisting on getting further training to increase showmanship for The Zombettes project,” he tells her. She started wearing thicker lipstick while he started wearing shorter shorts. “I promised myself that I was going to stay single because I had just come out of a horrible, multi-personality relationship...but I couldn’t help myself. Those lips,” he says with a smile.
Mark and Mia started noticing each other more and more. Their chemistry was so apparent that it spilled over to the work side of their budding relationship. Plus, “Our taste in music complemented each other so well, and eventually came up with our project called Those Damn Nerds — Mark, Regina Reinoso (our vocalist) and myself. We are now in the process of finishing our first EP, released under Tonedef Recordings,” she shares.
It seems that the two have similar taste when it comes to style, too. In fact, they shop at the same place. “We love Mexx, it fits our fast-paced lives wherein we sometimes have to attend meetings and look professional, while still being easy-wearing enough not to take too long to throw an outfit together,” explains Mia.
For their individual meetings or events, Mia opts for fun but relaxed separates, like a turquoise double face knitted sweatshirt and gray woven cotton skirt matched with a Saffiano small shoulder bag in stark black and white, or a pale yellow wool cardigan and gray printed georgette romper.
Mark, on the other hand, favors cool but dressy pieces, like a dark gray cotton blazer over a light gray cotton t-shirt paired with forest green denim pants, or a chambray button-down and khaki cotton pants. But for outfits they can wear from a gig with the Those Damn Nerds to date night, the pair chooses looks that are easy but are a little more refined. Mia channels her ladylike side in a rose long-sleeved pullover and gray woven skirt combo glamorized with a red croc stamped clutch and sultry heels, while Mark gets casually debonair in a micro-printed cotton shirt and dark washed denim pants with brown square toe leather shoes. For off-duty or weekend style, the DJ duo prefers looks that are ultra-comfortable, like a light gray cotton cashmere sweater and wine red cotton pants paired with leather accessories for Mia and light gray knitted shirt with collar and navy blue cotton pants for Mark.
While their story is not one that makes up fairytales, theirs is beautiful and real. Mia ends our interview saying, “Mark is my mentor, creative counterpart, colleague, significant other, and best friend.”
Cinderella is the exclusive distributor of Mexx Philippines. Mexx stores are located at Shangri-La East Wing, Cinderella Glorietta 3, SM Aura, and Alabang Town Center. Like Mexx in Facebook: Mexx Philippines and follow on Twitter: @MexxPhilippines.
Photos by MAU AGUASIN at MA Studio
Styling by VALERIE DELOS SANTOS
Hair & makeup by CAT CANTADA of SHU UEMERA