Momentarily detached from the commotion at Milan Fashion Week, Marian steps into a postcard as she breathes in the serenity of Lake Como.
Approximately 80 kilometers north of Milan is Lake Como. The body of water is the third largest lake in all of Italy, spanning 146 square kilometers, and is shaped like an inverted letter Y when viewed from a map. Year in and year out, thousands of tourists flock to the destination to take in its idyllic views. The towering mountains of the Alps shadow the lake as visitors hop on yachts, dine in local restaurants, or stroll along the shore. In pop culture, everyone from Bond girls to Jedi knights has treaded its sapphire-hued waters.
For Marian Rivera, arriving at the famed site was like stepping firsthand into a postcard. “The scenery was breathtaking,” she tells Preview, “the lake was a deep blue, surrounded by majestic mountains and charming villas. I could hear the gentle lapping of the water against the shore and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze.”
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ON MARIAN: Dress, STEPH TAN
Just a few days prior to her visit, the actress was in the heart of Milan, fulfilling her duties as an ambassadress for beauty brand Kiko Milano. As one can infer, the cosmetics label finds its home in the fashion capital. As the sole Filipina representative, Marian had an invitation to dinners and parties that coincided with the rush of Milan Fashion Week.
The hustle and bustle of Milan starkly contrasted with the perpetual state of bliss at Lake Como. Even with fellow visitors out and about, the lake remained as still as it seemed in vintage magazine spreads and photographs, or so Marian says.
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“The atmosphere was both vibrant and peaceful… It was the perfect backdrop for relaxation and inspiration,” she puts it. Her sequined frocks and stilettos were stuffed into the back of her luggage as she experienced the serenity of Lake Como in breezy dresses devoid of any accessories.
Marian Rivera and Stylist Melville Sy on European Summer Style
Along with her team, Marian made a stop at the lake during the tail-end of September. At this time, the remnants of summer slowly dissipate as the gusts of wind from the nearby mountains become more apparent. Her trusted stylist and confidante, Melville Sy, says that visiting Italy during this period allows one to see the extent of local style codes.
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“I find Italian fashion to be very chic, and there’s always an element of fun injected into it,” he shares. “You see them adding pops of color to earth-toned looks or subtly accessorizing with sunglasses or stylish handbags.” Even if such sartorial cues are observed 11,000 kilometers away from Manila, they’re not at all foreign to a Marian Rivera outfit.
Describing Marian’s style ethos as “feminine and timeless,” Melville says that his muse constantly gravitates towards flowy and occasionally flirty pieces that “are as comfortable as they are chic.” Achieving the European summer aesthetic through Marian’s lens entailed a little bit of experimenting—a little peek-a-boo of skin here, some fun print-mixing there.
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ON MARIAN : Dress, YOUNG DAVALOS
The “Euro summer” look has become fodder for Pinterest boards and Instagram explore pages. The tomato girl look, which requires a heaping helping of blush on one’s cheeks, has become the internet’s bible for sunny season style. The aesthetic’s key color palette—red like the sun, white like the sky, and green like blades of grass—reflect the Italian flag itself.
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Dressing accordingly, however, doesn’t require a trip to Lake Como (but of course, who are we to stop you from booking that flight?). After all, the equatorial climate in Metro Manila provides an opportunity for year-round summer fashions.
“Think sheer tops, flowy dresses, relaxed trousers, sandals and slingbacks, and top handle bags,” Melville shares, adding that playing around with prints and textures is also more than welcome. “A good pair of sunglasses is also a must to protect your eyes!” Marian adds matter-of-factly.
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ON MARIAN: Dress, CAROLINA HERRERA
When exposed to high temperatures, the Primetime Queen always has a reliable tinted moisturizer and BB cream at arm’s reach. Other essentials in her beauty kit include the 3D Hydra Gloss and Unlimited Blush from Kiko Milano, which impart a much-appreciated flush of color to her face. Sunscreen, in case it needs to be said, is also non-negotiable.
A couple of weeks have passed after her excursion at Lake Como and a sunshine state of mind persists with Marian. After all, an increased heat index is nothing but reminiscent of home to her. Reflecting upon her time in the European locale, the actress points out the uniqueness of her experiences in Milan.
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“Summer in Italy has a distinctive charm with its leisurely pace, outdoor cafes, and stunning landscapes,” she expresses, attesting to laidback lifestyles led by the locals who call the idealized place home. “It’s warm, but it has a different vibe compared to the humid summers in the Philippines, which are filled with vibrant festivals and beach outings.”
One is not superior to the other, as both appeal in their own ways, but Marian says that Italy offers something new for her to discover, whether it’s in terms of food, cultural sites, or fashion. Ultimately though, the Philippines will always be her home.
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The fleeting hours she spent at Lake Como were only a capsule of the joy constantly imparted by the sun’s rays. When they land on her skin, it’s an indicator that good times are afoot. “What I love most about summertime, no matter where I am, is the sense of freedom it brings,” Marian says. “It’s a time for adventures and creating memories.”
And such occurs more frequently than she thinks—the sun always shines, as they say.
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