Wazzup Pilipinas!
When international style blogger and interior designer Aimee Song drops by the Philippines, one can expect only two things: fun times, and amazing style. One of the first fashion bloggers, she began blogging in 2008. Since then, her blog Song of Style has risen to become a gamechanger, thanks to her knack for creating bold but laid back outfits.
Last July 01, Aimee greeted fellow bloggers and members of the press with much joy and enthusiasm at SM Makati. She was in town to talk about her partnership with SM Makati as its newest style icon for its Style Up campaign which encourages women and Filipinos in general to level up their personal styles. This wasn’t the first time Aimee was in the Philippines, but it is the first time that she became the face of a local brand. “When I first came here today, and as I was getting ready, we looked around the mall and I could just see my face all over the place. It felt super surreal!” she shares.
Born to parents of Korean descent, the LA-based social media darling has an Instagram following of 3.6 million and counting. What makes Aimee stand out from today’s crop of influencers is her accessible but aspirational sense of style. “We’re real people, not supermodels or celebrities,” she once said. She is part of Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for 2016, has been featured in publications such as The New YorkTimes, Women’s Wear Daily, Vogue Spain, among many others, has guest-edited Korean Vogue, and has always been seen—always seated in front-row—at the most exclusive fashion events. Aimee began blogging while studying Interior architecture in the Academy of Art University, with the original intent of focusing on interior design. But when her outfit posts received an overwhelmingly positive response, she quickly switched to doing a style blog.
The exclusive event was hosted by Joey Mead, and attended by a handful of top Filipino fashion bloggers including Tricia Gosingtian, Patricia Prieto, Laureen Uy, and Camille Co. Spotted in the crowd as well were SM Youth Ambassador Janna Tee, and model Brent Javier. Bloggers and members of the press had the chance to ask Aimee some questions about blogging, travelling, and even about her upcoming book entitled “Capture Your Style.” Typically thought of to be a style trailblazer, Aimee also shared that she finds inspiration everywhere, including the people she’s just met. “I’ve seen so many stylish men and women here, so I’m the one taking tips,” says Aimee. “My makeup artist Omar, the whole time we’ve been here, has been wearing – instead of a leather band – different scarves with his watch. I’m definitely stealing that idea!”
Aside from answering questions, she also gave her two cent on some of the latest fashion trends, approving almost every trend including wearing denim-on-denim, owning off-shoulder pieces, having a messy bun, and mixing metals, telling the audience to have fun and experiment with fashion. Aimee did not only give tips but also inspired her fellow bloggers and blogger hopefuls of what really matters when starting your own style blog. “You have to try and be yourself, find your own voice instead of trying to be somebody else,” she says, which she together with SM Makati Style Up has already done.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
