Konnichiwa! My name is Micchi Altovar, a 23-year-old graduate of BS Psychology who works as a customer service assistant at a prestigious bank, a freelance Wattpad writer, and a costume player on the side. I am artistically inclined. Thus, I love singing, dancing, drawing, writing, reading, sewing, doing Do-It-Yourself (DIY) works / designing and such — anything in the name of art!
Para sa iyo, ano ang fashion?
Bill Cunningham once said that “Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life,” and I’ve always believed in that statement. It always serves as a reflection of yourself as a person, and sometimes, also your beliefs, feelings, and even your state of mind.
Pwede mo bang i-share sa amin ang background ng iyong fashion style at bakit ito ang napili mo?
It all started when I was 7. Anime had so much influence in my fashion style, to the point that at a young age, I learned how to copy their move and collect anime merchandise (such as stickers, posters, etc). I enjoyed watching anime characters in their colorful and flashy outfits as magical girls. Sino ba namang makakalimot kay Sailor Moon? She had so much impact on me that I thought, “Someday, I’m going to wear that sailor uniform too,” and then poof! Hindi lang sailor uniform iyong na-e-explore, ko but many other types of dresses since I decided to be a costume player.
Sino ang iyong fashion icon (local & international)? Pwede mo bang i-share sa amin kung bakit mo siya naging idol pagdating sa fashion?
It’s Berry, a very famous Filipino fashion blogger on the worldwide web. She was neither a cosplayer nor a model, but she can pull off an outfit very well. She can make you feel that you can be like her since she started from scratch (I’ve been a witness of her growth ever since) and I can say I idolize her for that. I like her because she is the typical netizen who manages to stand out by incorporating fashion in her colorful life.
Saan ka madalas mag-shopping dito sa Lucena? Pwede ka bang magbigay ng 5 stores kung saan mo nabibili ang mga damit mo?
You can always see me around SM City Lucena. I always go for random shops since I have a very unusual taste in outfits. I don’t go for the trends. When I saw an outfit that is “cute,” my instant response is to buy it regardless of its brand, so I’m not sure if I could recommend any particular shops that satisfy my taste in clothing.
I usually go shopping online or have my tailor make some for me, but there is a shop that caught my interest last time — Genevieve Gozum — the shop where some of my girly dresses were bought.
Ano ang usual na outfit mo kapag pupunta ka sa Bayan? How about pag mag-sho-shopping ka sa mall? How about kapag nagtra-travel ka?
I always go for T-shirts, shorts, or sleeveless tops whenever I go out because those will always be my comfortable choice of clothing. As for traveling, depende sa weather ng pupuntahan ko. I remember when I was in Baguio, I wore a thick pink jacket with Teddy bear ears, lacy shorts, knee socks, and pink shoes — so, yeah, it always depends on the climate and the weather.
Saan ka madalas pumuntang lugar dito sa Lucena wearing your OOTD? Pwede ka bang magbigay ng at least 5 stores, cafe, or restaurants?
I usually hang around SM City Lucena since it is the mall nearest to my house. You can see me in different boutiques there (will not name any kasi it can be a form of endorsement, I think?) but more often, you’ll find me in arcades since I love playing dance games and such. If café’s naman, our group moves from different cafes & restaurants to another since we love to try each of their food, but, usually, we hang out in my room since mas mama-maximize namin iyong place.
Anu-ano ang iyong wardrobe essentials na hindi pwedeng mawala sa bagahe mo kapag nagbi-biyahe?
– Hats and caps. I have different kinds of them. It is good for covering messy hair, and since I am one, curly gal, I need caps or hats to survive a windy day.
– Jackets for protection from the heat or the cold. It’s a good substitute for an umbrella — pretty good for covering up exposed skin.
– A pair of colorful knee socks because I don’t usually wear jeans, so to compensate for not covering my legs, I always bring a pair with me so I can have my legs protected.
– The last and the most important is a change of outfit.
Meron ka bang pinagpapatahian ng damit tuwing may party or other special occasions dito sa Lucena? If yes, anu-anong mga klase ng damit ang ipinatatahi mo at saan matatagpuan ang mga tahiang ito?
Yes, I already have one shop that I always count on and entrust my costumes to after all these years. Actually, she’s the personal tailor of our group (Nekoloids). Her house can be found along Red-V, near SM City Lucena.
Paano mo inaalagaan ang iyong mga outfit? Pwede mo bang i-share sa amin ang iyong techniques when it comes to taking care of your clothes.
How do I take care of my outfits? I wash, iron, and store them carefully in a cabinet in my room so they will be ready to be used the next time I will use them — just the typical way of taking care of your clothes, but with extra care of course since customized costumes are more expensive than typical uniforms and such. I’ve always believed that if you invested a lot of money on those costumes, you have to treat them with love for they are all reflections of your choices.
Since, malapit na ang summer, anu-anong fashion tips ang pwede mong ibahagi sa mga Lucenahin na gaya mo?
Summer will be a very hot month, so everyone will be expected to wear something refreshing. Tank tops, shorts, bikinis, and other similar types of clothing that involve skin exposure will be a hit this season for sure. My tip is that they avoid using dark clothes, especially black since this color absorbs heat more than any color does.
Also, go for clothes that allow ease of movement like cotton shirts which can also dry your sweat easily. Any outfit of your choice will always do, but make sure it will be comfortable because we have to enjoy the season to the fullest.
Bukod sa present fashion style mo, meron ka pa bang gustong i-try na ibang style? If yes, ano ito at bakit?
I’m already content with the styles that I’ve adopted since I’ve had the privilege to try different types of fashion styles because of my cosplaying. Because of it, I can be a gothic Lolita, a rocker, a pastel Goth or a K-pop star. I can sport a rugged look or a princess like one. Practically anything!
Anu-ano ang maipapayo mo sa ibang Lucenahin na gusto ring i-try ang fashion style na katulad ng sa iyo?
For those who want to try cosplaying, first, always ask for your seniors’ help. Second, you have to be confident with your own choice of fashion sense. It will always help if you knew the character you will be cosplaying so you can give justice to the character. Third, always be ready to receive criticisms. Whatever you choose to wear, people will always find something to say (be it positive or negative). They may make you feel awkward, discriminated against, or uncomfortable, but they can also give you a boost of confidence.
Philippine Peso