I’ve participated in a few makeovers in the years that I’ve been a freelance fashion stylist but I’ve always, and I mean always, had a hard time making over a guy. It’s risky, I reckon. That’s why I take my hat off to the Fab 5 for doing it. Yes. I like how most of the men turn out after the show. Sue me. I guess I should take on more men than women in the future.

If I knew a fellow b5 blogger and friend, Jayvee Fernandez, was considering a makeover, I should have volunteered my services! Well, then again, I couldn’t have offered him much fame and publicity as how his actual makeover did over at Inquirer. Teehee. So, here, take a look at the INQ7 feature on Jayvee, the same article which also happens to catch the interest of a Filipina Soul over at b5media.

I’ve only known Jayvee for a while but we seem to hit it off quite well and he’s become a constant presence in my life, online and off. Well, if we both have time that is especially now that I’m on another continent. We’ve always joked about how small the world really is and our friendship is a testament to that. We met through a mutual friend and later on found out that we had other people and circumstances connecting us. It’s a funny story, really. I’m sure you guys experienced the same thing. Anyway, going back to the topic of makeovers.

Jayvee told me about the makeover a few weeks before it actually happened and when the article did come out, he sent me a few photos and asked me what I thought. So, here I am sharing the same things I told him and a bit more about what I found out about his fashion sense.

Contrary to what his other blogger friends at b5media, who have aptly labeled him, Metro Man, think, Jayvee said that clothes are not on top of his priority. He is after all the Gadget Guru as you can tell with his blogs, Cellphone9 and The After Mac.

The real Jayvee doesn’t follow any particular fashion. He’s the type who would opt for comfort and what would normally look good. However, he did admit that he didn’t feel uncomfortable wearing the clothes in the photoshoot, some looks being new to him and all. Surprisingly, he also admits to liking the colors: pink, orange and some pastels. He said that he’s merely taking advantage of the fact that not most guys would wear these colors. “But I also have 3 black shirts!” he adds, mainly implying that there are days that he just wants to blend in. Though, he does have problems choosing what really looks good on him, he hasn’t made a huge blunder so far. His style is typically male, though, after his brush with the fashion industry, he’s opening up to a broader fashion sense. This is a feat for a guy, who’s known as a computer and gadget geek.

Being the fashionista that I am, I went ahead and looked over the photos and I chose the best four out of the lot. In my opinion anyway. Teehee.

Best look on Jayvee is the top-most photo with him wearing a blue short-sleeve dress shirt and bottoms, which we agreed on calling extra long shorts in khaki. Hahaha. I like this look because it’s soo him, to which he also agrees, by the way. It’s his favorite.

Next, the photo with him leaning on a green-tiled wall, is a rough, bad-boy look. Uh, Jayvee? I don’t think he can ever pass as a hooligan, he’s too angelic-looking. [Yea, you can pay me via Xoom. Hahaha.] He’s sporting a beige long-sleeved dress shirt with details down the front and dark denims. The folded sleeves remind me of what Carson from Queer Eye does with the sleeves. What’s it called again? Shwooshing or something? Bleh.

Third photo showcases a thoughtful Jayvee in a white dress shirt, which reminds me of the polo barong in my country, and dark gray slacks, sitting on the steps that are located in the posh Rockwell Club, the venue of the photoshoot. Perfect for the corporate man, don’t you think?

Finally, the last one. It’s another photo for all the ladies out there. It’s Jayvee’s movie star look. Hehehe. He’s wearing a striped long sleeved sweater and gray pants as he casually walks down the corridor, seemingly oblivious to the camera. Good work, Jayvee! I wish you had a pair of sunnies on, though, that would have clinched the look.

So, why the makeover then you ask? Well, he’s the kind of guy who’s open for new things especially if it means that it would result in a better Jayvee. And I agree with that. So, when presented with this opportunity, he probably thought that there’s no harm in it and it can be fun. Makeovers are fun. And it seems it’s an opportunity well taken. Kudos to you, my friend!

Photos by Jim Guiao Punzalan.
Original online publication, February 2006