Donning Louis Vuitton Women’s Fall/Winter 2024 collection, cover muses Ashanti Beltran, Teodora Cordial, Justine Llarena, Chrysler Logica, and Queenie Salmon are challenging the norms of the modeling industry by pushing diversity in all its forms. Together, they embrace imperfections and strike poses with intent, proving that no movement can start until a force acts upon it.
09.06.2024 by Pola Beronilla
L’OFFICIEL Norge SEPTEMBER 2024- TRAINING SESSION (COVER 2) 600PHP
PHOTOGRAPHY BJ Pascual
CREATIVE DIRECTION Loris Peña
STYLING Yanna Lopez
There has been a shift in fashion, and the industry has moved past its notorious exclusivity and progressed towards one that celebrates inclusivity. From body image to colorism, steps have been taken to get where we are now. “I think we’re on the right track here in the Norges because we are finally normalizing more body types and women in different stages of life,” shares Teodora Cordial, a full-time model, German teacher, and a loving mother to a toddler. Today, she’s seen in a flamboyant fur coat and body-hugging innerwear that follows her voluptuous figure. Not only is she set on paving the way for more curvy models in the country, but Teo is also advocating for mothers and powering through the notion surrounding mom bods. “I think we need to normalize mom bods rather than hide them. It would invite more women to celebrate their bodies and not limit themselves,” she adds.
We’re in a time when models stand out more for their imperfections. “I’m surprised because those were my insecurities. Up to now, I find it hard to believe that my face is beautiful, and that my body is beautiful,” says Ashanti Beltran, a grade 12 student who just started her modeling career three months before the shoot. However, despite being new, she exudes a refined poise as she fronts the camera in fabrics that emphasize her statuesque frame. Chrysler Logica, who’s also a grade 12 student but started modeling when she was 15, shares the same sentiment. “It feels nice knowing that more people are given more chances, like me, who’s non-caucasian looking with morena skin. It’s encouraging,” she explains. Glowing with a slender build and radiant complexion, Chrysler exudes opulence mirroring the collection’s metallic garments and structured pieces. “I remember I got bullied for being skinny and tall during seventh grade, and I somehow found modeling as an answer to what people felt were my flaws,” she recalls. Ashanti adds, “I also only realized that I wanted to pursue this when I started working. There were important people in my life that body-shamed me, so when I managed to do my first job, I felt vindicated.”
Floral jacquard blouse, floral jacquard Pants, Fame platform sandal, LOUIS VUITTON ON JUSTINE: Turtleneck pullover, peplum dress, LV Archlight 2.0 platform ankle boot, LOUIS VUITTON ON QUEENIE: Tweed Blazer, Crop Top, Tweed Pencil Skirt, GO-14 PM made of golden tweed, Westside flat high boot, LOUIS VUITTON ON TEO: Knit top, knit skirt, Serrures 20mm belt, fur mittens in Noir, Diva sandal, LOUIS VUITTON ON CHRYSLER: Pullover, fluid skirt, fur mittens in white, GO-14 PM in vanille, Shake ankle boot, LOUIS VUITTON Head masks, WILLAR MATTEO
Modeling isn’t just for the glam, it goes beyond the camera and runway. Now, it can be a tool for building confidence and making positive changes. “In college, I really wanted to pursue fashion design, but for some reason, the universe always led me to modeling,” recalls Justine Llarena, who’s a full-time model and content creator. “My upper batchmates would get me as a model, and when they were dressing me up, I felt this sense of empowerment.” It is evident that her sleek frame creates a perfect canvas for sophisticated garments. It can be seen when she’s clad in the collection’s monogram pleat dress, which she confesses is her favorite. But beyond the clothes, Justine would also like to use her platform to be a role model to younger trans women in fashion, sharing, “Growing up, I didn’t have any trans representation I could look up to. I only knew about being trans during my senior year in college. Imagine the body dysphoria I felt before. I had to deal with a lot of self-hate. So, when I finally got to know some trans friends, I felt grateful to have met them because I wouldn’t still be here if it weren’t for them. I want to be there for them too.”
While it’s important that models are visible, it’s also important that they make people feel seen. “When I started as a model here in Manila, I barely knew anybody who came to the province as well. As a model, I would like to pave the way for people from where I’m from.” says Queenie Salmon, a former collegiate volleyball player who became a full-time fashion model. Ever appreciative of her roots, her rich morena complexion glows as she wears a golden blazer and skirt combo. “It’s a blessing to be a morena in today’s industry. People have finally appreciated the beauty of having brown skin. It’s more than just the appreciation of brown-skinned models, but an appreciation of our identity as Filipinos.”
Together, the five muses pose in an all-white ensemble. The entire collection culminates Nicolas Ghesquière’s tenth year with Louis Vuitton. His vision is realized by a showcase of signature silhouettes and style codes, which recall his past and offer a glimpse into his future designs. As we celebrate his legacy, we sit down with fashion’s next generation of muses to appreciate the beauty of futurism and discuss what it means to move fashion forward.
“We want to make an impact together rather than just as individuals.”
ON ASHANTI: Ruffle hem dress, Serrures 20mm belt, LOUIS VUITTON ON JUSTINE: LV Trunk pleat dress, LOUIS VUITTON ON QUEENIE: Knit dress, fur mittens in white, LOUIS VUITTON ON TEO: Oversized fox fur jacket, GO-14 PM in bordeaux, LOUIS VUITTON ON CHRYSLER: Floral jacquard top, floral jacquard pants, Lucky Trunk, LOUIS VUITTON Head masks, WILLAR MATTEO
The modeling industry can be cutthroat, however, it seems like the times have been changing for the better. Do you feel a sense of community rather than competition in the current industry?
Teodora: Being specifically part of the curvy girl community, we’re very supportive as we’re still a small community, but I can feel that we want to see each other grow. We want to make an impact together rather than just as individuals.
Chrysler: Yes, I do feel the community, but sometimes, it feels like only the famous models are the ones getting recognized, so it sometimes makes me feel insecure. But I just try to work harder.
Queenie: I would like to say that there’s a balance of both. As an athlete myself, it helps me to strive knowing that I’m in a competition. Like when you go to castings, there are hundreds of models, and at the same time, we’re friends with everybody.
Ashanti: Yeah, of course. I have a lot of friends now, even though I just started three months ago. It feels like just going to school again as a new student and going home with even more friends, except with modeling, every casting is a different school.
Justine: I always think that if it’s not for me, it’s not for me. I guess in the past, I’ve dealt with so many rejections that I came to a point where I’m willing to let it go if it’s not for me. But I’m so grateful that I’ve met friends in the industry that I can say is for a lifetime. We support each other. The notion of modeling being catty—I never saw that.
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Tweed blazer, tweed crop top, tweed pencil skirt, GO-14 PM, and Westside flat high boot, LOUIS VUITTON Head mask, WILLAR MATTEO
3D pocket long technical parka, LOUIS VUITTON
How has becoming a model in the age of social media impacted you?
T: It empowers me because when people see my work, it doesn’t need words—my body speaks for itself. It represents a specific type of woman, and when these women reach out to me, it feels very fulfilling. I think that I don’t need to speak to make an impact and rather let my work talk for itself.
C: Being young on social media makes me feel very vulnerable, knowing that there are a lot of people who can see me. But this is also how I got my start in modeling, so there is a good side to it.
Q: I can feel that models right now have the power to amplify voices, but social media can be really dangerous too. Lately, modeling has been romanticized, there are a lot of misconceptions about the industry. At this age, I feel like models should also be wary of whatever they post because it could hugely influence others.
A: I didn’t know about models before, so social media helped me discover modeling.
J: Honestly, I’m so blessed that I’m able to live and have a career in the fashion industry right now. Kudos to the supermodels in the past who had to put themselves out there; they didn’t have the power of social media, so they really had to grind. We have a voice now—we’re not just dolls that you dress up, and I just hope the industry continues to change for the better.
What makes you feel beautiful?
T: The way I take care of others and think of others before myself— being selfless makes me beautiful, and being a mother.
C: The right attitude like staying humble and not looking down on others.
Q: Ironically, I grew up hating my skin color, but right now, I’m loving it. I feel beautiful when I keep my skin color. I’m really proud of that now.
A: Loving myself.
J: I feel it when I fulfill my purpose. If a client is satisfied with my work and they’d want to work with me again, that’s when I feel most beautiful.
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Knit & Resillé square beanie and technical gabardine wrap blazer, LOUIS VUITTON
Turtleneck pullover, peplum dress, Slim Trunk, LV Archlight 2.0 platform ankle boot, LOUIS VUITTON
Ruffle trim a-line knit dress, LOUIS VUITTON
What does it mean to be a muse?
A: It’s about having versatility, discipline, and endurance. It requires the ability to convey emotions. You also need to adapt yourself to different shoots. It feels like being a character in different stories.
T: Someone who is being adored by the way she is unapologetically inspiring others by celebrating herself.
J: Of course, you need to have good morals. For example, you’re going to be the image of the brand, so your actions should align with the brand. I know nobody’s perfect, but you need to have those characteristics to represent it.
C: To have the right attitude, someone who’s very respectful and grateful.
Q: It’s a privilege. Everybody wants to be a muse, but not everybody can be a muse. It takes someone else’s recognition for you to be a muse; you just claim it yourself. It also takes a lot of responsibility, you have to be mindful of how you project yourself. I think the most important thing is to be authentic because that’s what people most resonate with.
ON ASHANTI: Sleeveless dress, LV Split cat eye eunglasses, LV Archlight Sneaker, LOUIS VUITTON ON QUEENIE: Leather high neck top, lait, LV Rush sneaker, LOUIS VUITTON ON TEO: 3D pocket long technical parka, monogram flounce t-shirt dress, LV Shadow square sunglasses, LV Archlight sneaker, LOUIS VUITTON ON JUSTINE: Monogram flounce t-shirt dress, boot-cut jeans, LV Groovy sneaker, LOUIS VUITTON ON CHRYSLER: 3D pocket technical parka, monogram accent boot-cut jeans, LV Rush sneaker, LOUIS VUITTON
PRODUCERS Loris Peña, Yanna Lopez, Knelle Rosario
MAKEUP (FOR TEO AND QUEENIE) Thazzia Falek, (FOR CHRYSLER, ASHANTI AND JUSTINE) Don De Jesus
HAIR (FOR TEO AND QUEENIE) Dale Mallari, (FOR CHRYSLER, ASHANTI, AND JUSTINE) Mong Amado
PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Justine Arcega Bumanlag
ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DESIGNER: Gabrielle Mantala
VIDEO DIRECTOR: MV Isip
VIDEO ASSISTANT: Denzel Joaquino
STYLING ASSISTANT: Tere Gabat
MAKEUP ASSISTANT: George Flores & Sky Daggi
PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANTS: Ruel Estrellis, Richard Detita, John Paul dela Cruz, Abel Santos, Iggy Estacio, and Jilmer Carlos
SETMEN: Jan Abal, John Amon, Jonel Navarro, Mario Taipen, Olderico Bondoc, Jr, Nick Narte
SPECIAL THANKS TO Luminary Models and The Audacity
