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“Teen King” Daniel Padilla knows his sunglasses well, and declares that his outfit is never complete without one.

“I’ve been wearing sunglasses since high school,” Daniel says. His standard eyewear style is simple: black or tortoise frames in shiny or matte finish, which go well with any outfit.

On days he’s feeling adventurous, he picks up metallic frames in bronze or gold with colored lenses. “It just completes the look,” he points out.

Fans know that “DJ” is Daniel’s nickname (from his full name Daniel John Ford Padilla). The 22-year-old heartthrob collaborates with classic eyewear brand i2i New York for the DJP Collection, a set of fashionable frames inspired by Tokyo street style.

To be You sat down with the charming lad during the collection’s recent launch at Manila House in Bonifacio Global City, and got dibs on DJ’s style.

Affordable

Daniel got his first i2i pair when he was a student on a budget. He now wants to share his go-to affordable glasses with his followers (6 million on Twitter and 1.3 million on Instagram) through his DJP Collection, each pair priced between P370 and P460.

The eyewear is done in nylon and polycarbonate, making it lightweight, with optically clear lenses finished with UV protection.

It is also trendy, as the i2i brand—which debuted in the ’90s—has been established by the stylish husband-and-wife duo of Ricco and Tina Ocampo.

The DJP Collection comes in aviator, retro square, round and sporty styles, as well as optical specs with clear lenses.

Daniel tries on several pairs to see if they match with his looks for the event: a combination of burgundy round-neck/botanical button-down, black pants and textured jacket. With that smile and those shades? Everything works, of course.

He lists Hollywood actors Johnny Depp and Robert Downy Jr., and musicians John Lennon and Kurt Cobain among his style icons, and describes his personal style as “vintage retro.”

“I got it from my mom,” he says, referring to TV host Karla Estrada. Does she have a say on his wardrobe?

“She hates it when I wear all white; para raw akong si Daniel Fernando,” he says, laughing. (Daniel Fernando is a veteran character actor and incumbent Bulacan vice governor.)

He also takes style tips from onscreen partner Kathryn Bernardo, the other half of the ever-trending “Kathniel” tandem. They are co-stars in the prime-time drama “La Luna Sangre.”

“Kathryn encourages me to be more adventurous in dressing up, but she has one no-no: very tight pants,” Daniel says with a laugh. “I also admire her clothing choices, except the ultra-revealing ones.”

On pairing eyewear with an outfit, Daniel insists that it is best to do your own thing: “Don’t go with the hype, or you would end up looking the same—like robots. Find your individuality.”

For 2018, Daniel is looking forward to two things: DJP shades in ultra violet, the color of the year, and a “more mature” romantic movie with Kathryn.

The young actor adds that while wearing shades brings him to his “comfort zone,” he admits that it can be inappropriate, especially while talking to people. “I know it can be improper,” he says politely, but hey, the Daniel Padilla charm sure makes up for it.