



1 / 6 Chevron Chevron Photo: Courtesy Perry Tabora

There are plenty of well-dressed It girls on Instagram, but Filipino-American actress Liza Soberano is racking up likes for more reasons than one. A household name in the Philippines thanks to her frequent television appearances and upcoming titular role as the beloved comic heroine Darna, Soberano sports a carefully curated wardrobe that is a mix of tomboy and cool girl. With the help of her stylist, Perry Tabora, the 19-year-old has already figured out that switching gears with her fashion choices makes for a vital sense of personal style. She’ll move from ripped denim and ribbon chokers worn for a casual outing to princess-worthy couture for major red carpet events. “I always enjoy collaborating on looks with Liza,” says Tabora. “She’s so adventurous when it comes to trying out new styles and is always open to suggestions.”

Born in Santa Clara, California, Soberano moved to Manila with her family when she was 10. She caught the eye of talent scouts and was offered modeling gigs shortly after, but chose to commit herself to learning Tagalog, an Austronesian language widely spoken in the Philippines, in order to work in Filipino television and film. Mastering the language­ (she’s now fluent) opened doors, allowing her to work her way from small parts to a leading role in a romantic comedy. As Soberano’s profile rose, Tabora was there to guide her fashion sensibility, and over the past four years they’ve developed a winning formula. “Liza’s looks are always youthful, fresh, and with an understated elegance,” says Tabora. “To give [her outfits] that unique quality we always try to mix aesthetics.”

Photo: Courtesy Perry Tabora

To create that look, the pair combines pieces from Filipino labels with statement items from Gucci, Tom Ford, Chanel, and her personal favorite, Dior. “[Liza] adores Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior,” says Tabora, pointing to the corseted dresses featured in the brand’s Western-themed Resort collection as a good example. Even with her affinity for the classic European houses, supporting local talent remains a priority for Soberano, particularly when it comes to Manila-based designers Martin Bautista and Michael Cinco. “They both have that look that she gravitates to—feminine but with a modern kick,” says Tabora.

With her star on the rise and growing online presence—she boasts more than 5 million followers on Instagram alone—Soberano is a girl to watch. And with a Darna press tour on the horizon, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to surprise her fans on the red carpet. Says Tabora, “She’s like a blank slate for fashion.”