Rockin’ the academe

As far as fashion statements go, rock star style is everywhere. I’ve always loved the style, so despite billboards full of rock-styled models, I still look to rock stars themselves to show me what makes fashion so cool and different.

When the question of cool local female rockers comes up I think of only one name: Myrene Academia. The first time I saw her, she was playing bass with Sandwich – and sporting a pair of slouchy suede boots and skinny jeans long before they were a must-have. I thought she was cool as hell. Rocking out for over 10 years and never failing to look killer makes her the rock legend she is today.

You can easily spot Myrene in a crowd with her distinctly small figure, sporting her trademark skinny jeans and boots. Playing bass for local bands Sandwich and Imago, she is a music industry veteran and a perfect example of what a local rock chick should be.

When we meet for the shoot she is refreshingly unaware of the godlike status many ascribe to her. With partner and bandmate Raimund Marasigan in tow, my eyes leapt at the sight of her kicks. Not just anyone can pull off animal-print, powder blue Nike.

Throughout hair and makeup, I try to ask questions, but the conversation always veers from my serious and theoretical fashion inquisitions. In describing her style, she says, "Well, I suppose I’m more Mary-Kate than Ashley."

She has no airs about her, nor is she the angst-ridden rocker stereotype, despite the bumpy road she’s traveled to get where she is today. Which makes me think that that’s what continues to make her music and style so appealing: it’s totally real. Her approach to her profession and her seemingly happy-go-lucky personality not only make her style fun but helps her defy age. On first look you’d be tempted to ask for her ID.

She doesn’t take anything too seriously, fashion included. She playfully remarks, "I can also credit another person for keeping my style young and fresh, and that would definitely be my daughter," who happens to be a style-savvy and fashion-loving little girl named Atari.

Being in a band has definitely affected her style as she admits that the profession allows her to get away with more unconventional ensembles. But it is these risks that inspire others to do the same.

As the camera begins to snap away at Myrene, dressed as Amelie, adorned in French lace and bearing that (for lack of a better word) cheeky smile, I am amazed that she has survived 10 years in the local music industry without a wrinkle at all. Even as a girly girl you can still see how much of a rock star she really is. She’s still a wide-eyed girl, albeit wielding a bass and sporting Harley Davidson Engineer boots. There’s truth to the saying that real rock stars don’t try to look cool, they just are.

What’s your favorite piece in your wardrobe?

A pair of pink-and-white Nike Air Force One trainers.

What would you never be caught dead in?

Stirrup pants.

Who are your style icons?

Kim Gordon (female bleached-blond bassist from Sonic Youth), the girls from The I Love You Store and Mary-Kate Olsen.

What is your requirement for everyday outfits?

They must be comfortable. Generally, everyday outfits consist of jeans, a comfy shirt and boots.

Where do you love to shop?

Ukay.

What are your favorite labels or designers?

If money weren’t an object, I’d be buying Balenciaga and Marc Jacobs.

Favorite footwear?

A pair of Harley Davidson Engineer boots I have, and, of course, Doc Martens.

What is your favorite era?

I’ve always liked whatever’s now. If you think about it everything now is a mix of borrowed ideas from the past anyway. And I always look back to what was in when I was a kid.

Your favorite dress?

A vintage Vivienne Westwood gown I found at ukay.