CHARO RONQUILLO, Ford Supermodel of the World second runner-up: My fashion icon is supermodel Gemma Ward. Only 19 years old, Gemma has already graced the covers of Vogue and W magazines, and launched campaigns for big labels such as Prada and Yves Saint Laurent. I think what makes her stand out is her unconventional, almost pixie-like beauty, and her simple but edgy style.
ROSARIO HERRERA, Stylelab fashion stylist: When you say fashion icon, the first people that come to mind are P. Diddy, JayZ, Kate Moss, and Karl Lagerfeld. They all have their own distinct style, and they aren’t afraid to push it to the edge. I think what makes them icons is they are able to influence countless number of people of all ages and backgrounds with their personal style.
JOJIE LLOREN, Fashion Design Council of the Philippines president: My style icon is Millicent Rogers. She did not have just one look, and her taste was constantly evolving. I just adore how she was able to put together a Charles James dress, antique Navajo bracelets, and modern jewelry that she made herself.
NICOLE HERNANDEZ, print and commercial model: My fashion icon would definitely have to be the queen of pop, Madonna. She is constantly reinventing herself, and has never been afraid to defy convention. Throughout the years, she has managed to update her style – always keeping with the times and managing to reach out to different generations.
ORNUSA CADNESS, print and commercial model: I don’t believe in idolizing one fashion icon. I like to believe that even the biggest and most famous icons have fashion slip ups every now and then and have streaks or go through different phases in their careers. I look at people famous and non-famous every day, and I get my inspiration in fashion from both.
GELLI DE BELEN, Folded & Hung endorser: I don’t really have a fashion icon. But, if I had to choose one, it would be Jennifer Aniston. She’s so classic, simple, and stylish. Jennifer may seem the girl-next-door type, but at the same time she exudes subtle sexiness.
LYLE IBAñEZ, fashion designer: My fashion icon is Imelda Marcos. Her presence spells elegance and style. Even her name itself says it all in the dictionary: "Imeldific."
DOMINIQUE JAMES, fashion photographer: My number one fashion icon is Madonna. Through the years, we’ve seen how she appears to have magically transformed not only her looks but also her persona. We now speak of Madonna on the basis of her fashion statements – ranging from the punk rock ’80s and the avant-garde ’90s to the motherhood era of the year 2000. What makes her such a fashion icon is that she dictates the trends more than she follows them. And she changes at will. She has been labeled a "chameleon" – and for good reason. She changes her look constantly, keeping people all over the world perpetually fascinated.
BORGY MANOTOC, print and commercial model: My grandmother Imelda Marcos is my fashion icon. She instilled in me the basis of beauty, and the idea that all things natural and organic are beautiful. We only need look at the world around us in order to understand the use of colors, textures and all the intangible factors that make things beautiful.
JOEY ESPINO, founder and executive producer of Philippine Fashion Week: Among my many fashion icons, Karl Lagerfeld ranks first. He has designed for the likes of Fendi and Chloe, and is most noted for reinventing the house of Chanel. Despite moving from one major fashion label to the next throughout his career, Lagerfeld has managed to maintain his own distinct style. His iconic status is stamped by his ability to transcend time, never allowing himself to be confined to a particular era.