Meet the stylist behind Alamat’s stunning outfits

Since its debut in 2021, the six-member boy group Alamat has been known for its unique branding of representing cultural diversity in the Philippines through their crafts. 

And people across the country have been commending the group for one remarkable thing—their stunning, well-detailed outfits. 

Each member would often wear a traditional woven dress with modern twists in line with their mission to integrate local cultural heritage into modern entertainment. 

The commitment to promote local cultures, even through fashion, has in some way contributed to Alamat’s popularity.  

Many then wonder who is the mastermind behind such legendary outfits. 

Well, meet the 31-year-old fashion stylist Bettina Bañez, a woman redefining the boundaries of fashion styling in the country. 

Bettina the fashion stylist

A graduate of a production design course at De La Salle College of St. Benilde, Bettina did not expect at all that she would become a fashion stylist. 

“It was by accident lang ‘cause I actually wanted to take production design,” she said. 

However, the universe seemed to carry a different plan for her as the journey of her becoming a fashion stylist would unexpectedly begin by accepting a random offer from a friend. 

“There was this one instance [when] a friend of mine asked me ‘are you available tomorrow kasi kulang kami ng tao’; this person is a production designer, punta daw ako ng shoot nila kasi nga kulang daw sila ng assistant,” she shared. 

Bettina went to the shoot thinking she would be assigned as an assistant production designer, not until the head stylist of the production team told her to prepare the clothes that the featured celebrities would wear. 

That was when Bettina realized that she was going to be a stylist for a big advertisement shoot that day. 

“I remember this was my first ever ad shoot talaga, and it was for a big soft drinks brand, so may mga binihisan akong parang mga major celebrities back then, hindi ko talaga in-expect na I was gonna be a stylist,” she said. 

After the shoot, the production head asked her if she could join their team as a regular stylist. She accepted the offer. 

Bettina has been doing styling as a career for over ten years since then. 

Surpassing obstacles in styling

When she first ventured into the world of fashion styling, Bettina reminisced about the struggles she went through. 

“Yung one of the struggles for me is being able to source clothes that are not [often] available in store, and you need it in two days, like [it’s] a rush project,” she said. 

“Tipong kailangan ko ng gorilla costume, and ‘yung agency was asking me saan tayo kukuha niyan; so ako talagang sinource ko siya, ito na ‘yung pulling the friendship cards and everything. Na-source ko siya, na-shoot namin siya at lumabas ‘yung ad but I was like ayoko na mangyari ‘to sa’kin ever again,” she continued. 

Aside from getting the out-of-this-world attire, Bettina also experienced facing the most common problem among creatives—the creative block. 

Creative blocks often occur to her whenever she has a lot on her plate and gets overwhelmed. However, she considered it more of a challenge rather than a struggle. 

“I take it as a challenge na talagang how can I prepare a certain look that’s months away while doing different looks at the same time. It’s a challenge that I eventually overcome every now and then, I just need time,” she shared. 

As years passed by, she would gradually get used to the craft of fashion styling until the job itself was no longer draining but instead became a fulfilling endeavor for her. 

“It doesn’t feel like I’m working when I’m doing styling. For me, I enjoy what I do, and I feel fulfilled,” she said with confidence. 

Working with the stars

Ten years of being in the industry as a stylist in advertising and for celebrities has taught Bettina to always give her 100% on her work. 

“Ibigay mo ‘yung sarili mo nang buo kase babalik rin naman siya sa’yo [‘cause] the energy you give is the energy you receive,” she said. 

Such an extreme passion would have led her to work with some celebrities in the country, such as Janine Teñoso, Arthur Nery, John Roa, Bea Binene, Ella Cruz, and Julian Trono. 

But if there is one client that would help boost her image in the industry further, that would be Alamat. 

Styling journey with Alamat

The first time Bettina styled for Alamat was when the group performed their soul-stirring songs  ILY ILY and say u love me on the famous Wish 107.5 Bus at Enchanted Kingdom last year. 

It was Alamat management itself that contacted her to offer the job, which she accepted despite having no experience in styling a P-pop boy group. 

“Super hesitant ako that time since ‘yung mga nagagawa ko palang na boy group e hindi naman sumasayaw so ako parang paano ko ba gagawin ito pero in-accept ko [pa] rin ‘yung job,” she shared. 

Little did she know that accepting the offer would soon make her the official stylist of the group. 

In styling Alamat, Bettina’s works often combine the modern and traditional by incorporating contemporary elements into Filipino traditional apparel and vice versa. 

She also makes sure that the clothes accurately represent multiculturalism in the country—one thing that Alamat has been championing for years. 

When asked how she conceptualizes the outfits for each member, Bettina reiterated the importance of research. 

“If there is an upcoming music video and [we] have to incorporate Filipino culture into the clothes, I really do my research thoroughly; I am very careful when it comes to referencing our tribes or culture, and I make sure talaga na [everything] is correct,” she said. 

She would even consult with credible people and experts about indigenous accessories and clothes to avoid committing any form of cultural appropriation. 

Bettina also sourced all the indigenous textiles from the local weavers in the country or from the DOST Philippine Textile Research Institute to ensure authenticity. 

It is also her one way to help the local weaving community by promoting and selling their products. 

“I like to help ‘yung mga weavers from the community; I credit them when we post the outfits [on social media] talaga,” she said. 

Her commitment to only producing well-researched cultural outfits for Alamat was, once again, seen with her latest project with Republicasia. 

She served as the official stylist for Republicasia’s digital magazine Future Forward, with Alamat as the main cover.

Secret to success

For Bettina, fashion styling is more than just putting clothes together and curating looks. It is also a form of storytelling. 

“Styling is also telling stories visually,” said Bettina while also taking into account the personal style or brand of her client whenever she crafts a story through clothes. 

If there is one thing that Bettina would advise all aspiring fashion stylists in the country, it is to always remain kind. 

In a highly competitive fashion industry, she urges fellow stylists to always be kind to themselves by prioritizing mental health over other things. 

She also reminds everyone in the industry to be kind to others and be resourceful and collaborative at work. 

“It’s a small industry so lahat ng tao magkakakilala. If you bring your good attitude and your talent, people will remember you for it,” she said. 

While the art of styling can be learned in school, the best way to become a good stylist, for Bettina, is actually by being one—that is, through experience.