Dressing for the urban jungle

Loosely defined, the term fashionista refers to a dedicated follower of current fashion. In this day and age of heightened fashion consciousness in Manila, it is doubtless that many a fashion fanatic can consider him/herself a fashionista (or rather, have friends brand them as such). But as trends are grounded in constant change, so are the semantics. The fashionistas have given way to the urbanistas, cosmopolitan city-dwellers whose keen sense of style sets them apart from the rest of the pack. This new breed subscribes to a uniquely chic lifestyle of urban living. The effortless integration of style into their day-to-day life is at once evident. Experimental yet smart shoppers don’t have to look very hard to spot these urbanistas because they already stand out in a crowd. They are young and fierce, with a confidence to face the rigorous demands of living in the city. A gem of a haven for urbanistas, SM has a wide selection of clothing for men and women of any style preference – just as these urban style icons have discovered by making their personal picks at the department store giant.

Chicho Suarez: Graphic designer

Creative expression is a way of life for this graphic designer.

Style philosophy: "Stick with colors that flatter you and express your mood. And a cute pair of shoes never hurts."

GP Reyes: Advertising and PR man

Describing his style as "hi-low," this marketing man may have a hectic lifestyle but is always dressed impeccably for every occasion.

Style philosophy: "I like to combine my favorite designer brands and luxury labels with prized finds from places like SM."

Michelle Pamintuan: Model

Constantly on the lookout for the best fashion finds, fashion to Michelle is second nature.

Style philosophy: "Style is subjective, an individual’s self-expression. You must first be true to yourself. Style should be effortless."

Erik Cua: Entrepreneur

With a self-proclaimed "Euro-street" sense of style, successful, young restaurant and bar entrepreneur Erik Cua likes to keep things simple.

Style philosophy: "Select clothes that are flattering to your body type."