It was a sensorial feast at Laufey’s “A Matter of Time” concert in Manila, with many young fans dressed up in looks inspired by the Icelandic-Chinese singer’s romantic, vintage aesthetic.

Among them was a look that went viral, garnering almost 450,000 views on TikTok even before Laufey arrived in the country. It was a peacock-inspired ensemble—hand-painted, hand-sewn, and worn by 21-year-old Communication Arts student Janine Magan of De La Salle University.

For Janine, this was not her first time making an outfit from scratch. The first was in 2019 for her younger sister’s school project, followed by another in 2023 for her pet dog. But this one, she says, felt different from the start.

“I came across Laufey’s TikTok videos during the pandemic,” she says. “I love jazz music and I was so drawn to her unique voice. I love how she writes music and I always listen to her songs.”

She also had a dream, even before Laufey’s Asia tour was announced, “I promised myself I would create an outfit that would make me feel like a goddess (inspired from the song “Goddess”).”

When the Manila concert was confirmed, the idea began to take form. She started working on a peacock trail prototype and sketched the full design once she secured a ticket. “I didn’t really decide on a ‘final look’ because I added some details at the very last minute. I just went with the flow as I was making the outfit while listening to Laufey’s songs.”

She began conceptualizing in March, started crafting in May, and finished the piece in 16 days. The most difficult part, she says, was technical rather than aesthetic. “The most challenging part was making sure the trail would lift up properly because I didn’t have a step-by-step guide on how to make it.”

The final piece became a visual diary. “It’s hard to choose one because I love everything about my outfit,” Janine says. “The hand-painted details on the Filipiniana sleeves, the hand-painted clock, the Baybayin, the huge cutouts of ‘Laufey’ and ‘Philippines,’ the flowers (from the song ‘Magnolia,’ and the butterflies.”

She knew it would stand out, with every detail intentionally chosen. “I knew the peacock trail had never been done before at a Laufey concert, but I also wanted to wear something that felt like me and Laufey at the same time—bringing Filipino Lauvers with me through the Filipino elements that I added.”

Recognition came unexpectedly during the show. “Laufey’s kind and sweet team went all the way up to the regular section to tell me that I had been picked for best dressed,” she recalls. “Hearing those words made my heart flutter.”

When asked what she will remember the most from that evening, Janine's answer was “the love from Laufey and Filipino Lauvers.” Her creation became part of the evening’s shared experience, with fans turning into friends as they stopped her for photos and conversations throughout that special night.