Oli Sara

Michelle Yeoh wasn’t the only Asian who scored big during the latest edition of the Oscars just last week.  Without many of us knowing it, a Filipino also hit it big during the prestigious awards ceremony, albeit off-stage.  Up-and-coming fashion stylist Oli Sara, finally bagged his big break during this year’s Oscars week when he was asked to style some attendees to the event, led by FOX Soul red carpet host, Al Reynolds.

“For Oscars 2023, I was really shocked to have been asked to style one of the red carpet hosts, Al Reynolds, the host of FOX Soul.  I also styled ABS CBN Correspondent, Ms. Yong Chavez, with a special gown for the event,” shares Oli. “It feels surreal.  I can’t believe that I really made it to the Oscars week.  I was there for a couple of days, attending parties and the other Oscar events left and right.  I’ve met a lot of people in the industry both in film, fashion and the like.  So I am just very thankful to have made it there.”

A former party promoter and stylist to beauty queens, Oli had recently been doing a lot of travelling, mostly in the US, to make his mark in the fashion styling industry there.  Prior to his foray into the Land of Milk and Honey, he was already doing some styling jobs for some of the country’s prominent personalities, principally queens who have represented the country in international competitions.  Among notable queens who have been dressed up by Oli were Mj Lastimosa, Athisa Manalo, Eva Patalinhug, Gazini Ganados and Maureen Montagne.

“What paved the way for my growth as a stylist would have to be people trusting me, my talent, and taking a chance on me.  For example, I would have to say Ms. Jinkee Pacquiao.  I was entrusted to style her for a couple of her endorsements in the past such as Jinkee Skin, Jinkee Cosmetics and all that stuff.  To me, a simple stylist, it is actually a big deal to have people actually taking a chance on me, to bet on me.  So I am forever grateful to them, who gave me a break in my career as a stylist.”

Oli Sara with Oscar best actress Michelle Yeoh

Oli also adds to his list of local clients: “Other notable personalities I have dressed up would have to be a lot of congressmen and mayors who I have dressed up for their formal events; Ms. Ruffa Gutierrez, who always entrusts me with her big events and premiere nights; and, of course, fashionable newscaster, Joee Guilas, is also one of them.”

The now US-based stylist traces his love for clothes to his humble beginnings as a child growing up in Taal, Batangas.

“I had a pretty much simple and normal childhood.  I was born in Taal, Batangas.  As a kid, I remember I already enjoyed dressing up.  I would save my baon to buy a new long sleeved shirt, or a new t-shirt.  That would be my earliest memories about dressing up,” Oli reminisces.

Owing to his love for simple, on point, classic lines, Oli shares his styling principle: “My styling principle would always have to be clean, classic and polished. One can never go wrong when you go with something that is clean, classic and polished.  I always remind myself to never go overboard and crazy.”  Such principle has always been evident from the time he started collaborating with beauty queens as a beginner to this very day.   

“I think I am one of those stylists who started the classy, conservative type of dressing among beauty queens.  During those times (early 2010s), it was very uso for beauty queens to wear short dresses.  I guess it was I who started promoting classy below the knee.”

Oli with Oscar nominee Cate Blanchett

So how did he make it to Hollywood?

With the right connections.  With the right people.  Lots and lots of prayer and determination.  It is extremely hard to be in Hollywood.  Just to be here is already an honor.  I am forever thankful to my publicist, Ms. Tash Grayson and my very good friend, international photographer Filbert Kung, who’s always trusted me, who always gave me the chance to meet other people, who introduced me to a lot of people in Hollywood, thereby allowing me to meet a lot of people in the industry.

As he sets his eyes on making it even bigger in his new playground, what does Oli want to share with other Filipino Stylists who are dreaming of also being in Hollywood someday?

“Just be good at it.  No one can invalidate your talent if you’re excellent at what you do. If you’re focused on your goal, just go for it.”