Twenty-something influencers recolor the Y2K vogue

By Diane Sarmiento

Pop-culture has never been this vivid as history redesigns itself right onto the glossy pages of the 21st century fashion scene. Despite belonging to a whole new generation of fashion, notable Manila-based twenty-something influencers have mastered the revival of the Y2K, or 2000s-era lifestyle.

These heroines have been leading the think-pink pack into a more vibrant aesthetic, mainly dominated by shades of bubblegum pink and hues of fluorescent green. So-called “noughties” nostalgia has bled onto the style of many young Filipinas—thanks to these up-and-coming influencers who have understood their assignment as time-traveling fashion icons.

1. Ashley Garcia’s Cover Girl Charm

Ashley gets the crown as arguably the most prominent Y2K icon in the Philippines. Her Youtube channel bleeds 2000s, from her camcorder lenses, Britney Spears vinyl LPs, and Totally Spies graphics, she embodies the 2000s chic image. Her Instagram page, meanwhile, looks like the front page cover of Teen Vogue issues during that time. Ashley’s carefully curated online lookbook could be considered a national treasure for fashion.

@ashleygarcia on Instagram

2. Bianca Gan’s Beauty in Chaos

Far from Ashley’s fondness for color coordination, Bianca Gan chooses to go down the route of mixing and matching patterns and prints. On her Instagram page, her staple outfit runs along the lines of a cropped tee, miniskirt, wedged heels, and a vibrant-colored handbag to complement the fit. Bianca tends to go crazy with the color combinations but still manages to get the look.

@biancagan on Instagram

3. Toni Sia’s Minimalistic Explosive

Toni Sia manages to sprinkle a dash of modernity into the 2000s. Though the genre is mostly known for its popping colors and crazy layers, Toni makes sure her uniqueness still stands out amongst the sea of eye-catching features. Rarely seen in the usual Y2K fashion, she fuses neutral and earthy colors into her Y2K look. Aside from her peculiar but enchanting choice of colors, she does not normally incorporate patterns—which one would believe is a Y2K staple—but still manages to nail the baby tee and low-waist pants combo.

@tonisiaa on Instagram

3. Ida Anduyan’s Pearls and Sequins

Almost as if creating a new genre of her own, Ida Anduyan is the love child of Y2K and the old money aesthetic. Ida is also big on opting for neutral colors with minimal patterns on her Y2K-inspired fits. With the usual Y2K magic emitting a chic-from-the-streets energy, Ida adds class into the equation, making her shine in a league of her own.

@idaandu on Instagram

Aside from the must-have looks, there are also up-and-rising online shopping sites for your Y2K needs—all made with Filipina love. All from Instagram, some crowd favorites are Laze by Maria and Picnic Mood for a whole Y2K outfit galore and Soon the Moon and To Bead or Not to Bead for your eccentric but lovely accessory needs to complete the look.

@lazebymaria on Instagram

@tobeadornot on Instagram

Some things just never go out of style, and the noughties look is one of those. Through all the phases of fashion, there is always something that proves permanence even outside of glossy pages and flips phone screens.