Fashion design and marketing student Miguel Urbina Tan has barely settled in his new life in the Philippines, but he is already producing shoots, endorsing clothes (most recently SM’s Get Your Jeans On campaign), and attending events (from Preview’s Best Dressed Ball to Azealia Banks’ Magnum Party gig).
He’s not hard to spot with his James Dean pompadour, and you can expect him to go places.
His vibrant personality has exposed him to styling jobs for a battery of style publications, beauty and fashion editorials, and various publicity campaigns. Yet he never forgets to credit his mentor, Preview fashion editor Anna Canlas.
We’re just seeing the start of Miguel’s fashion-crazy life, and you can bet we’ll be hearing a lot more about this 17-year-old.
First shoot
My training ground for styling started… when Preview’s Anna Canlas allowed me to assist her in a beauty editorial. I still remember my first shoot with her and thinking, “Wow, this woman is amazing.” I really learned the craft of producing shoots and how to go about it from her.
My most recent styling gigs include… Ely Buendia’s music video called “Haunted” for an indie film, which was pretty cool. I have two editorials coming out in LOOK magazine and I
styled a look book for a T-shirt line named Kada!
I juggle school and work by… balancing them. There are times it’s just pure insanity. I have no choice about school, I have to go. And I absolutely love my work. However, sometimes I do have to miss a class or two for a shoot. But I try not to, as much as possible.
Pop culture fan
My source of inspiration for styling comes from… my proclivity to pop culture. Whether it pertains to a specific time before or from the 21st century, I love still shots from films and music videos. My first editorial was actually all inspired by director Russell Meyer, whom I met when I was 12. They called him the king of sexploitation back in the ’60s. His films are on another level. They are campy, kitschy films, visually stimulating, with titles like “Faster Pussycat Kill Kill” (my favorite!), “Vixen,” “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls” and “Immoral Mr. Teas.” I love the cleanliness, sex appeal and simplicity of the outfits on Russ Meyer’s women.
Skin-care adventures
In my bathroom counter, you’ll find a lot of… Kiehl’s Facial Fuel, L’Oreal Men Expert Moisturizer and, believe it or not, my mom’s anti-aging Olay moisturizer. Lotion, deodorant, lots of hair products, and I still have a few leftover cans of fake tan. Unfortunately, I used to be an avid user of St. Tropez, Sally Hansen and Garnier fake tan. Those were the glory days.
My top hair-styling products are… Bench Fix’s Clay Doh—it really makes my hair stay put and I can style it in so many ways; BB Hair Spray, which is also very strong; and Nature Republic Homme Wax. I’m not too fussy about shampoo, however I would lean toward Garnier Fructis.
I am loyal to skin-care products like… Kiehl’s Facial Wash, as well as this great product from Philosophy that has exfoliating beads in it. After I wash my face with one of these, I feel like my skin can breathe. For the body, Dove Cucumber or Grapefruit and Lemon Grass Body Wash, and Vaseline Coco Butter or Dove Glow Lotion.
Top tip: A man’s full day of activities can really put his grooming and skin-care products to the test. That moisturizer you slathered on this morning? You’ll sweat it off by noon. Same goes for the perfume you applied. To smell and look fresh, try Miguel’s trusted products for that straight-out-of-the-shower clean feeling. Dove Go Fresh body wash is an energizing formula that gently awakens and hydrates your skin with the sparkling scent of grapefruit and lemongrass.
Dove Cucumber is a light formula that soothes and hydrates your skin with the crisp scent of cucumber and green tea.
Products come from Rustan’s, Watsons, Healthy Options and supermarkets nationwide.