Celebrity Stylist Bettina Bañez on Her Beginnings and Styling 'Alamat'

Being a stylist to the stars might sound like a job in a Hollywood movie — all glitz and glamour. Contrary to the industry’s perceived dazzle, though, the reality of styling celebrities is a fast-paced environment where time is extremely precious, which means there is minimal room for extensive preparation.

Celebrity fashion stylist Bettina Bañez didn't exactly plan on becoming a stylist to the stars. She described her journey into the glamorous world of fashion as a "happy accident" after finishing a degree in production design at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Her passion for fashion and styling sparked when she was just a kid having a blast with her Barbie dolls. Instead of the usual play routine, she'd grab some socks, give them a little snip, then instantly transform them into these cool, brand-new outfits.

Based in Manila, Bettina proved her talent as she worked her way to the top of the fashion industry, styling local celebrities such as P-Pop group Alamat, JRoa, Blaster Silonga, Ella Cruz, Bea Binene, Magnus Haven, Bandang Lapis, This Band, and Arthur Nery, to name a few.

In an interview with The Beat Asia, Bettina graciously shared what it’s like to work with different celebrities, especially with the “Philippines’ first multiethnic and multilingual act,” Alamat, a group known to fuse traditional styles and contemporary aesthetics by incorporating Philippine cultural elements into streetwear.

P-Pop Fashion

As societies evolve, so does fashion. Designers draw inspiration from their cultural roots, infusing traditional elements into cutting-edge creations. Taking a deep bow to tradition, Alamat did a cannonball straight into Filipino streetwear, only to emerge with a fresh, unexpected twist on style.

“The boys of Alamat are very collaborative in terms of styling, and they are very appreciative of the people around them. It’s always exciting to see the looks I prepared for them come to life. I’m very blessed to be working with them, as we are open towards each other, and I appreciate them whenever they have notes on styling. It gives me room to improve and build more groundbreaking looks for them. What’s fun about being around them is that they always bring good energy to the set,” she said.

Back in August 2022, Bettina landed the gig to style Alamat for a radio guesting. She admitted she was a bit on the fence at first because she hadn't really tackled the whole styling thing for a sing-and-dance boy group before. However, that didn't hold her back. Undeterred, she tapped into her wealth of experience styling rock bands and male solo artists for inspiration.

“I did a background check for each member to check their personal styles and their style as a group and thought of a coherent look for them. I accepted the job offer with the thought in my mind that it’s okay if they don’t like my work, but at least I get to work with them.”

Addressing Cultural Appropriation in Fashion

When asked about her approach to conceptualizing outfits for Alamat, Bettina emphasized her commitment to steering clear of cultural appropriation in the entire process. Over the past few years, cultural appropriation in the fashion scene has emerged as a notable concern. Essentially, it's about incorporating cultural symbols or elements without really grasping their deep meaning, a practice that may lead to the misrepresentation of a certain culture or community’s rich history and context.

“I conduct thorough research, especially when creating looks rooted in tradition and history, incorporating modern elements seamlessly... I enjoy collaborating with weavers from various regions and working closely with fashion designers who grasp Alamat's branding. I communicate regularly with Alamat's Chief Creative Director, Direk Jason Paul Laxamana, as he oversees the group's creative direction.”

Fashion Styling Advice

Bettina's expertise lies not only in translating clients' envisioned pegs and looks into reality but also in orchestrating the transformative experience of actual fittings. She goes beyond just looks, ensuring each outfit not only matches a client's desired image but also extends their unique identity.

For those aspiring to be stylists to the stars, Bettina's golden nugget is all about building that rock-solid foundation, which lies in training.

“To learn how to style a celebrity is from experience, so foundation is important for me. Train and become the apprentice of an established stylist,” she said. “Also, keep a good character and stay grounded. People will remember you for your skill, but they will also remember you for your attitude.”

Looking ahead, Bettina is open to collaborating with artists who align with her style direction, be it a P-Pop girl group, rappers, or hip-hop artists. She also aspires to dress leading men or women and showcase her work at prestigious events like the Grammys or MTV Awards.

Connect with Bettina Bañez by following her on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).