A chameleon, that's how one would describe Glaiza De Castro as an artist. She has mastered the craft of being a leading lady and an antagonist. She plays music and has a voice to match it. And visually, she is serving looks that much like her performances are exuding multiple nods and references.

With vintage style, grunge influences, and a touch of sensuality, the actress is bringing to life a fashion vision that is totally unique, contemporary, and chic. Not to mention how charming she looks with that cropped, wispy fringe of hers.

Manila Bulletin Lifestyle chats with her stylist Gui Alapan as she shares her experience working with the singer-actress, decodes Glaiza's personal style, and her inspiration in building her fashion career.

How did your career in fashion start?

Toward the end of college, I had an apprenticeship with designer Dax Bayani. We worked on his collection for the upcoming fashion week. I started as an associate for stylist John Paul Dizon in 2011. Then, I was referred by a former DLS-CSB blockmate who was, at that time, JP’s associate as well. We mostly worked for TV.

What inspired you to do it?

I never really thought about it, but it’s probably more who than what—I would have to say my lola. During high school when we would have plays, she would sew the costumes I designed. Eventually, she taught me how to sew them myself. Also, it was about doing more with less.

How was it working with Glaiza? How long have you been working with her?

Fulfilling! It’s really nice when you get to work with another artist who lets you unleash your creativity.

It’s my first time to directly work with her in the "Nagbabagang Luha" show, but I think we met during "Dading" (2014). She wasn’t assigned to us (Team John Paul Dizon) in that show, but we became acquainted through actress Chynna Ortaleza. We did a shoot around that time with photographer Rita Marie with both Chynna and Glaiza (along with KC Cusi, my friend, and Glaiza’s stylist that time). KC styled Glaiza for her "Dreams Never End" concert and tapped me to make her opening outfit. One of my best friends from college, designer/stylist Daryl Maat also became her stylist and I co-styled with him on one of her trips. I got to style Glaiza’s "Bank Holiday" performance video for OC Records’ "Our Cue." It was shot during "Nagbabagang Luha"'s first lock-in. The talk for the recent shoot we did started when we got out from the second lock-in taping the show. We refer to it as “laro,” since we are playing with our creativity.

How would you define her style and how did you mirror it with the looks you created for her?

I think Glaiza’s rock/grunge at the core, but she does well with other styles as well and is not afraid of experimenting. Like with one of the looks in the "Bank Holiday" performance video, I layered a (revealing) black Charina Sarte dress over a skull-printed button-down and paired it with black ankle boots. With one of her guestings, I dressed her in an army green leather jacket, black swimsuit top, and (her) black leather ankle boots. With the recent shoot, the Proudrace shirts were actually hers and I just styled them, and I’m happy that she’s happy about the looks we put together. Our team for the recent shoot really had good synthesis!

Do you play with trends in plotting her ensembles?

Yes. Like what I said earlier, her personal style is the base, and we just add to it. It’s like we follow them, but in a way that her identity is still there. Like with the guesting outfit—bralettes under blazers became a trend. By using black and army green (and with the tattered shorts and ankle boots), it was still Glaiza. Her oversized white Proudrace shirt worked well with the corset and thigh-high boots trend. You’ll eventually see in the other layouts that even though the styles are different, there’s a common denominator that reflects her personal style.