Cool starts with ‘C’

MANILA, Philippines - Here at YStyle, we are constantly on the lookout for chicks. Sounds creepy, I know, but the truth is we spend hours clicking away on Facebook, Instagram and (yes) tagged photos, searching for women with that certain something, women who embody what we believe the YStyle woman is. We recently came across über-babe Carla Sison in this manner, a stunning face that caught our eye and eventually led to some full-on stalking.

Having grown up first in Manila then Australia, Carla Sison is the quintessential Filipina beauty — all almond-shaped eyes, long dark hair and the perfect golden tan, with her Australian upbringing reflected in a carefree, laid-back attitude. Her sense of style is something else entirely, however: a fusion of High Street brands and menswear, forever cool and relaxed, and now presently inspired by her current city of residence: Berlin.

After her stint doing marketing for top Australian women’s brand Manning Cartel, as well as Paul Smith back in Melbourne, Carla packed her bags and moved to Berlin with her boyfriend Krésten Thøgersen without much of a plan. “I was living out of my backpack and we stayed at Airbnbs for a month before we finally found a place,” she said, reminiscing about some wonderful pieces of clothing she had to get rid of in India while in transit. “My bag was just so full, I could barely carry it. I had to leave so much behind.”

She made up for it in Berlin, though, getting right back into the industry by hitting up fashion week parties her first month there and randomly striking up a conversation with Soto store owner Philipe Gaedicke, who offered her a job right away. “I was really lucky,” she says. “Soto is one of the coolest menswear stores in Berlin. We don’t even have any signage but people always come in, and the hottest guys shop there.” Stocking brands like Acne, Carven, Maison Kitsuné and Dries Van Noten (among others), Carla is in charge of the store’s PR and digital marketing, often producing shoots for the store’s website and for taste-making online men’s magazine Highsnobiety (only the best website to go to for what’s up in the streetwear/fashion world, in case you were wondering), as well as managing Soto’s online accounts.

Despite her extensive background in menswear, Carla keeps her femininity by tending towards more sexy and sleek fashion, with the exception of her obsession with sneakers and comfortable footwear, which she collects in droves. She and her boyfriend were recently featured in Highsnobiety’s street style blog, wearing Parisian brand Eleven Paris and her much coveted Nike x Riccardo Tisci Air Force 1’s.

Super hot, super talented and incredibly cool, YStyle sits down with our newest girl crush.

YSTYLE: What are you doing in Berlin at the moment?

CARLA SISON: PR/DJ marketing for Soto Berlin.

Apart from dressing appropriately for the weather, do you dress differently in Manila than you do in Berlin?

Yes. Berlin is very laidback; dress for comfort with a little bit of edge. Manila, I take as an opportunity to step it up a notch; pull out the heels and slap on some makeup.

What are you currently working on?

A S/S14 Moving Editorial campaign for Soto.

Who taught you how to dress?

J. Lo

How would you describe your style?

Simple. You could say Sleek Street…

Where do you shop?

I like to mix high end and low end. Timeless classics with the latest trends. Generally I shop where I work. My last jobs in Melbourne were Manning Cartell, an Australian label, Fred Perry, now, Soto a contemporary menswear store. I dress like a boy. From the High Street shop &Other Stories, and for my sneaks, Soto. INCU in Australia is the best.

What’s the last thing you purchased?

My Linda Farrow x Krisvanassche sunglasses.

What inspires your art and your style? Are the two mutually exclusive?

Mood. Location. I tend to dress according to the city I’m in.

Favorite wardrobe piece you keep turning to?

Baggy black pants. Airy and comfortable.

Most insane garment you’ve ever purchased?

Acne Pumps with pom-poms and nails for heels.

Favorite city: Melbourne. There’s no place like home.

Favorite drink: Whisky Sour.

Favorite label/s: Dries van Noten, Acne, Carven.

Favorite gallery: Tate Modern.

Favorite Sunday afternoon haunt: Berghain, a ‘90s rave club in Berlin. Originally a gay club, it’s three stories and it’s crazy, like a ‘90s cult movie come to life. Best place on earth.

Favorite vacation destination: New York.

Photos by Isabella Cantu, Makeup by Ria Aquino, Special thanks to Coco Quizon