MANILA, Philippines - I first went to Paris in 1980, hoping to be able to make a career as a model in the fashion capital of the world. It wasn’t easy. There were a lot of auditions, as well as competition from other aspiring models.
I was fortunate to have worked with big designers from 1980-1982.
When YSL asked me to model for him in 1982, a lot of doors instantly opened for me. My first big fashion show was YSL’s winter collection, and then everything just fell into place. After that, I was modeling for top designers such as Valentino, Armani, Givenchy and Ungaro.
During the years I was living in Paris, I would come home to Manila once in a while for visits. And whenever I was here, I always did my shopping at SM. SM’s fashion—especially the clothes and the shoes—has always been trendy and up to date. They have good designers in their ready-to-wear section, and each and every designer has his or her own identity. Lulu Tan-Gan, for example is known for her knitwear, Efren Ocampo for his evening clothes, Mike de la Rosa for his classic suits, and of course Jeannie Goulbourn for her embroidered linen clothes and elegant cocktail dresses.
I used to give some of the clothes I would buy in SM to my fellow models in France, and they would rave about it. Even the false eyelashes I would buy in Manila were a hit.
There was even a time when I showed a red shade of lipstick that was not available in France to YSL and said, “They’re selling this in a very big, well known department store in Manila.” He was both surprised and impressed.
Modeling agencies in Paris usually celebrate the end of a collection’s run with a party. It was during one of those parties that I met my husband, Vincent. I remember that he initially had difficulty in getting in touch with me because he called on a Saturday—a time when no one was in the office. After contacting the Philippine Embassy, the modeling agency and some of my friends in the Filipino community, he was finally able to get in touch with me.
We married after three years, and now have three wonderful children—Gwennaelle, Gwendoline and Thibaut.
‘YSL or SM?’
When we were living in Paris, Vincent and I would attend a lot of elegant events. I used to wear some of the clothes I would buy during my visits to Manila, to which I add my own personal touches to fit my style and needs. Sometimes I would just change the buttons to make it look more elegant. On many occasions here and abroad, my friends would always ask if what I was wearing was “YSL or SM?”
It was a homecoming of sorts for me when Vincent was assigned in Manila in 1988, as the general manager of Air France’s Asia-Pacific region. One of the things I looked forward to upon returning was shopping at SM.
I can compare SM to the two biggest department stores in France, in almost every way—especially in terms of quality and design. How-ever, shopping is more affordable here in Manila. The sales ladies are also very accommodating and they make you feel special.
My daughters today also shop at SM. Gwennaelle likes buying tops that she can mix and match with the rest of her wardrobe. They have also done some modeling for SM designers like Jeannie Goulbourn, Lulu Tan-Gan and Efren Ocampo.
As French-Filipinos, my children have been exposed to many cultures, but have a respect for Filipino values, traits, and traditions. My husband has been assigned to many places and this has had a positive impact on my children. They not only speak many languages but have also become more mature and responsible, with a greater sense of goals and purpose.
One of the great pleasures for us about living in the Philippines is the great shopping experience at SM!
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