Sixteen years into a career she fell in love with, stylist Patty Yap isn’t just crafting looks—she’s cultivating connection.
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Stylists might not always be front and center, but in the world of entertainment, they’re among the powerhouses behind every red carpet slay and viral fashion moment. They’re the ones that bridge designers with artists and creatives, putting together different pieces of an outfit that elevates the vibe of an individual or an event itself. They turn pegs and mood boards into iconic fashion moments, balance trends with unique personality, and help not just stars, but artists, creatives, and even people not in the limelight transform into their most confident selves.
Celebrity stylists don’t just develop outfits—they help shape an image, tell stories through fashion, and craft everything from lowkey looks to headline-worthy serves. Styling is a fast-paced, high-pressure job that blends an eye for fashion with deep collaboration—and the best in the game make it look effortless.
Patty Yap, who has crafted iconic looks for stars like Ahtisa Manalo, Alexa Ilacad, Ashtine Olviga, and more, didn’t initially dream of becoming a stylist. As she grew more immersed in the world of showbiz, her interest for fashion and style turned from a spark to a flame, leading her to pursue a career that she completely fell in love with. Now, sixteen years later, she’s still delivering iconic looks and solidifying her legacy. But besides just using clothing as her medium and some of the brightest stars as her canvas, Patty has found that styling builds connection, and is an avenue for some important learning.
We sat down with the celebrity stylist to learn about longevity, creativity, and collaboration in the world of fashion. Check out our interview with Patty Yap below.
STARTING IN STYLE
Patty, you’re celebrating 16 years in the industry! What keeps you going? Why do you still do what you do?
It’s really my passion for fashion. I don’t get tired because I know how important clothing is in life. The right outfit can set your mood, and sometimes people even judge you based on what you wear. Fashion symbolizes your character, who you are, and what you feel that day. It’s a form of expression. That’s why I’m still so into fashion and styling. It keeps me going because I still feel challenged by it.
Throughout your career, have you ever found yourself feeling burnt out? How do you deal with being in a creative slump?
Yes, definitely. As a creative person, I feel that a lot. There are moments when you run out of ideas and it feels like your creative juices are drained. What I usually do is travel, so I can recharge and get new energy. You really need fresh inspiration to get back on track. I also make it a point to count my blessings and remind myself to be grateful. I don’t want to waste the opportunities that come my way. And honestly, sometimes I just sleep it off! The next day, I’m usually okay again.
How do you balance creating unique looks with your clients’ personalities or the vibe for the event? What’s it like to collaborate with designers and creatives in crafting a look?
When it comes to magazine shoots, that’s the time to be bold, fun, and experimental. You have to go all out with styling when it’s editorial. With Ashtine’s shoot, it was actually easy because the concept was very her—fun, adventurous, and very Gen Z.
I worked with my two go-to designers, Fatima Beltran and Austeen Soriano. We already have a good dynamic because I collaborate with them all the time, and they already know my taste.
As a stylist, it’s so important to have go-to designers and to build a strong relationship with them because they’re the ones who turn your vision into reality.
With Ash’s cover, I just followed the creative pegs and collaborated as her stylist, making sure the looks really suited her. The outcome turned out so well. I gave it my all because it was her very first cover, and I wanted it to be memorable. I want her to be able to look back someday and say, “That was styled by Patty Yap.”
How do you manage to adapt to the ever-evolving world of fashion?
I never stop learning. I still research a lot and make sure I don’t get left behind. You always have to stay updated, or better yet, be the one setting the trend. I keep a close eye on fashion shows and music videos, which are where I draw most of my inspiration.
You always say that you take the time to get to know and befriend your clients. What are some of the most important things you’ve learned while doing this?
You have to be a good person. Treat everyone equally because our world is small. You also need patience, hard work, and love for what you do. When you love your work, you don’t get tired as easily. This industry can be exhausting and it’s not an easy job, so you need that love for the craft to stay happy while working.
What’s something you thank the old Patty Yap for, the one who first got interested in styling after accompanying Angelica Panganiban to shoots, that has helped you shape your career now?
I would like to thank the old Patty Yap for being funny and talkative. Without that side of me, I wouldn’t have made so many connections in the industry. And in this world, good connections are what really help you achieve your dreams. I’m thankful to the old Patty Yap, not just because she was already good at styling, but because she was also funny and friendly. That made a huge difference in my career and is one of the reasons I’m still here today. Of course, professionalism is also important. You have to know your limitations.
What can you say to young creatives who are still unsure about what they want to pursue as a career?
You’re not alone. Don’t worry, it’s normal. My advice is to take it slow, keep trying different things, and think about which kind of work truly makes you happy. At the same time, set goals and deadlines so you always have something to work toward. While you’re young, explore every opportunity that excites you. The right path will come at an unexpected time, and when it does, you’ll know it.
STYLED BY PATTY YAP: A RETROSPECTIVE
We take a trip down memory lane and ask Patty to reminisce on some iconic looks and events she’s styled, giving us a glimpse into what went into crafting each story and what the experience meant to her.
Vivarkada Concert 2025
“This was my most recent project, and it was intense. I styled a total of 19 outfit changes for my three artists, Ashtine, Lance [Carr], and Bea [Binene]. I proved to myself that I can still handle quick changes. In concerts, quick changes are inevitable since everything is live, but pulling it off successfully was such a rewarding moment.”
Vilma Santos, Uninvited (2024)
Designed by Fatima Beltran
“This was the moment I felt like, ‘I’ve made in,’ haha. Imagine, I was dressing Ate V. It was such an iconic experience. I styled her outfit for the party scene which, if you’ve seen the movie, made up about 80% of her screen time. It was a real challenge because Gov. Vi needed to move comfortably in the outfit, especially since she had fight scenes. It was also another chance for me to work on a film, which made it even more special.”
Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Universe Philippines 2025
Gowns by Val Taguba
“This was when I tried styling for the pageant scene, and it was so difficult. Pageant styling is a whole different world. The look has to be extravagant and queenly, which is very different from celebrity styling. It was exhausting because of the many requirements and all the last-minute changes. But what I loved most was being able to create both Ahtisa’s preliminary and final gown looks. Those looks became iconic.”
Jessy Mendiola and Luis Manzano’s Wedding
Designed by Patricia Santos, Martin Bautista, Boom Sason
“This is one of my favorites because their wedding was so romantic. It was very intimate, with only their closest loved ones present. For the styling, I went for an “old money” aesthetic, which perfectly matched the mood of the celebration.”
Kim Chiu, Star Magic Ball 2023
Gown by Michael Cinco
“I was really happy with this because it was my first time collaborating with Michael Cinco, and of course, it was for Kim Chiu. At first, I was nervous to work with him, but once we talked, he turned out to be very down-to-earth and easy to work with. He immediately understood what we wanted. Fun fact—the prints on Kim’s gown were all hand-painted. That night, she was on almost every magazine’s Best Dressed list.”
Photos courtesy of Patty Yap. This story can also be found in the NYLON Manila MyZine Unfiltered Pack, September 2025, available on shop.nylonmanila.com and SariSari.shopping.
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