Cebu Fashion Icons Champion Authenticity and Evolution in Personal Style
In an era where fashion trends often encourage conformity over individuality, defining one's identity through clothing can feel increasingly challenging. Amidst this noise, the fundamental questions remain: who do we aspire to be, and how does that identity manifest in our wardrobe choices? These themes took center stage at The Urban Edit event hosted by SM J Mall on April 9, 2026, where Cebuano designer Ia Coca and Cebuana content creator Etienne Chantal shared their insights on style, identity, and intentional dressing.
Building and Refining Personal Style Over Time
For designer and fashion mentor Ia Coca, personal style is not a static concept but a dynamic process of continuous construction and refinement. "Take your favorite shirt, favorite accessory, then you match it with other shoes and pants. It's all about building," he explained. As a champion of Cebuano craftsmanship, Ia views style as inherently fluid, comparing it to character development that perpetually grows and adapts.
He acknowledged the pressure designers face to dress impeccably for work but transforms this expectation into a creative endeavor rather than a source of stress. "When I go to work, there's a certain pressure to look good because it's expected as a designer," Ia noted. To navigate this, he employs two primary styling approaches: selecting a centerpiece and complementing it with other items, or envisioning a character to portray each day, such as adopting a preppy aesthetic, which simplifies the dressing process.
Ia emphasized the critical role of understanding form, proportion, and texture in fashion. "Layering is all about proportions. You can do anything once you study your proportions and textures," he stated. He also highlighted how styling can inform better dressing decisions based on body balance, advising that broad shoulders can be balanced with larger pants, while wider hips and narrower shoulders benefit from added volume on top to harmonize the silhouette.
Rooting Style in Authenticity and Self-Awareness
Content creator Etienne Chantal, who began her fashion journey during the Lookbook and Tumblr era of curation, stressed that personal style is fundamentally rooted in authenticity. "One thing I really follow is finding my own style—whether in fashion, purpose, or content creation. You have to lend your own truth. Be authentic about who you are and what you do," she asserted. For Etienne, style emerges from self-awareness, serving as a foundation for genuine expression.
She reflected on consumer habits and the pervasive pressure of trends, sharing personal experiences where brand names influenced purchasing decisions. "I've had experiences where just because something is branded, you feel like you need to buy it. But what's important is your own style," Etienne remarked. She encouraged drawing inspiration from personal life rather than succumbing to online pressures, advocating for choices that resonate with one's identity.
Thrifting as a Form of Self-Expression
In a setting featuring curated local brands and creative collaborations with Papi and Friends, Etienne, an avid thrifter who once redesigned her thrifted wedding outfit, discussed thrifting as a powerful mode of self-expression. "I'm so amazed to be here right now talking about thrifting and styling. I'm proud to tell people about my finds," she expressed. She recalled how thrifting once carried a stigma but has since gained broader acceptance, viewing trends as sources of inspiration rather than templates for imitation.
"We take into consideration what the trends are, but we don't use them as our entire style. We take inspiration from them," Etienne explained. She emphasized that personal style is shaped by everyday influences, such as music preferences, hobbies like sports or arts, and travel experiences. "Be inspired by the music you listen to, whether you're sporty or artsy, if you travel—draw inspiration from those things and make it your own style," she advised.
Style as an Ever-Changing Personal Journey
Both Ia and Etienne underscored that style is constantly evolving, with Etienne noting, "In six months it can be different. It's ever-changing. It's personal." As long-standing figures in Cebu's fashion scene, they intentionally convey that finding personal style is a unique journey navigable only by the individual. While tips, references, and inspiration abound, fashion should ultimately foster a sense of well-being.
Personal style is not meant to be copied or rushed; instead, it develops gradually through experience, experimentation, and self-awareness. What suits others may not align with one's own identity, and it is in this distinction that individuality truly flourishes. The insights from Ia Coca and Etienne Chantal at The Urban Edit event remind us that fashion is a personal narrative, woven from authenticity and perpetual growth.
