The Kabayan style files on UAE social media

Dubai - Filipino designers and style bloggers based in the UAE enjoy immense popularity and have thousands of followers on their social media accounts

One of the popular genres that Filipinos tend to dabble in is fashion and style. The people have always leaned towards an ostentatious fashion sense, based on its many past traditions. These include festivals of dance, music and colour all coming together to present an unrivalled visual feat.
There's the Panagbenga Festival, the Pahiyas Festival and the Ati-Atihan Festival as some shining examples.
The heightened sense to 'show off' is one of the factors that surround the Philippine fashion industry. So much so that many creations from Philippine designers have made headlines across the globe, just check out Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach's winning gown by Albert Andrada and her subsequent Michael Cinco designed gown the following year at Miss Universe 2016.
But fun fact - even Bollywood stars love Filipino fashion designers. Just behold Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Michael Cinco gown which made headlines across the globe at this year's Cannes film festival. The admiration is immense that an earlier City Times report said that Cinco was invited by Rai's team to specially fly to India for the dress fittings.
It's worth mentioning that Cinco is based here in Dubai's very own Design District. The city has become a hub for many fashion-savvy Filipinos looking to be the next big icon. Some of them are already making waves on social media.
Here are some of Dubai's most popular kababayan style icons one on social media:

Marjanne Reyes - @marjanne.co
Marjanne has been in the blogging scene since 2009, starting with Tumblr. She writes, takes photos (and videos) of style choices, beauty tips and travelogues on her website Marjanne.co. Her Instagram feed is laden with some outfit ideas you can definitely try out.

Paul Ramos (@thestylechoreo)
He's one of the fashion savviest men in the UAE. Ramos' identity as the Style Choreo on social media shows the modern UAE resident how to look dashing, be it summer or winter. If you're looking to up the ante on how to wear that ordinary blazer - his photos will give you more than enough options. Ramos also gave Khaleej Times an insight into his fashion philosophy: "Dressing up is like a dance choreography - everything should be synchronised".

Joy Caasi (@joycaasi)
Caasi's feed is an eclectic mix of travel diaries and style finds. Her blog, The Thrift Trip, emphasises stylish adventures on a budget that is reasonable. Now you don't have an excuse to be stylish!

Nina Carpio (@smilelikenina)
Nina vlogs a lot about her escapades such as going on a shopping challenge in Dubai Mall (where else is better?) as well as tons of makeup tutorials to complement the style finds on her Instagram feed.
keith@khaleejtimes.com

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