Since no one is asking, two things I miss most about the Old Normal is seeing my friends and dressing up, which congeals into one thing, come to think of it. Anyway, about dressing up these days, I do enjoy looking at people’s WFH Fits, although TBH I have nothing to contribute to the conversation. I haven’t been properly dressing up for conference calls. Last week I wore a red shirt, hoping it could somehow reflect some crimson on my skin, which has become frighteningly sallow from being cooped up indoors for months. Other times, I have gotten away with wearing workout clothes.
I pass on the responsibility of inspiring and and instructing you in this department to my friend Nicole Aprid, model and by default somewhat of a professional listener of music. Below we catch up and talk style, life lessons in quarantine, and the best thing on Netflix.
What’s a regular day like for you in quarantine?
“My partner Roman and I live together in our condo in the city. I’m fortunate that I always had the option to work from home even before the pandemic. Now, I just had to build a routine working at home five days a week. On a regular week day, I wake up at around 10 a.m., do some stretching and make my coffee before I attend to my meetings. Around 1 or 2 p.m., I’ll have lunch, take a break, and then go back to work when I can. I usually finish working around 9 pm and then I make dinner. After doing our chores, my partner and I spend some time, probably watch movies/videos or catch up to some news, and we’ll end the night with him making music and me playing video games or watching anime. On weekends, we catch up and video chat with our family and friends.”
How would you describe your personal style? Who or what are your style influences?
“My style is very do-what-you-want/punk streetwear fashion but laidback. I’m a fan of workwear since I always make sure what I’m wearing is fit for a purpose. Always wearing carpenter’s pants when going out because it allows more movement. My go-to footwear would be walking sandals or good running shoes because it’s comfortable walking longer distances—and I would just WALK to anywhere! I would say my partner and my friends are my major style influences. Having different experiences and supporting these artists from different cultures and subcultures, the art and music scene, and growing with these people with utmost respect have greatly influenced me in finding my own sense of style.”
What are you most looking forward to after the lockdown?
“I’m grateful that my family remained safe and healthy during the quarantine, so I definitely would like to see them once the ECQ has been lifted. In general, there is no going back to normality and even when there is a vaccine, I fear the risk will endure because climate change, and there are already other zoonotic viruses. So there will be more worrying. Companies will have to build a steady plan where people are safe to interact until then, workers should not be commuting as much as before. I hope there will be more support and build proper regulations and rights for the people who are in the service and hospitality industries and freelancers.”
What’s keeping you sane now?
“I’ve been playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch, which has been my outlet artistically because I’m building my island and it is where my friends and I get to hang out. My friends and I do a streaming party, where each of us would add to a playlist and have a dance party, or watch The Midnight Gospel on Netflix, a spacecast exploring existential questions about life, death, and everything in between. Highly recommend!”
