“We’re here. We’re queer. And we’re in awesome underwear!” must be the mantra that emanated from the All-Queer Underwear Fashion Show, a historic first in the Philippines.
Initiated by Avon, the global beauty brand with a leading intimate apparel line, the unique undertaking featured models across the LGBTQ+ community. They loudly, proudly, and splendidly displayed Avon’s new Flexicomfort Intimate Apparel line styled with pieces by young designer Thian Rodriguez, who specializes in leatherwear.
“We believe in beauty democracy — proud to be inclusive and open to all. Challenging stereotypes has been at the heart of every Avon campaign
— first for women, now for all,” Razvan Diratian, Avon APAC’s managing director and Avon Philippines general manager, said in a statement.
For more than 135 years, Avon has been promoting positive representation. It joined this year’s LGBTQ+ Pride celebration in a major way by showcasing its Flexicomfort collection highlighting the Jake briefs, Paloma bra, and Frida bra and panties.
“As a brand that champions self-expression and confidence, I’m so excited to share with you all our newest product, Avon’s Flexicomfort Intimate Apparel line, no matter your size, shape or gender, we want to give you ‘confidence’ that is high quality and promises the perfect fit that is essentially made for you,” bared head of Beauty+ Jamila Reyes in a speech at Baked Studios in Makati City.
The new products are made with fabric that stretches, flows, and moves with your body with ease. Avon has expanded the line and it’s now available up to 42C for bras and up to 3XL for panties and 2XL for briefs.
When you purchase these products, a portion is donated to Avon’s partner organizations which will help create a better world. So, not only are you getting high-quality fabrics but you’re also supporting the brand’s wonderful causes.
“This show is our love letter to the community. We hope that every queer person — young or old
— feels celebrated, represented, and supported after seeing the diverse beauty of the community on this stage,” Reyes said. “And to the allies here today, we are calling for you to show your support and encourage others to do the same because there’s still so much work to do. By being here today you are proof that our collective voice makes a difference and that ‘everybody supports everybody.’ So with this, shanty you stay and enjoy the show!”
The colorful, kinetic show was opened by transgender woman trailblazer Key Trajano, a model and beauty manager who was a Century Tuna Superbods finalist in 2020. She showed her gratitude on Instagram: “@avonph celebrating everyone’s uniqueness, authenticity & PRIDE.
“So honored to be with this family for 4yrs now as the face and ambassadress of Avon Intimate apparel, inspiring everyone that dreams come through as long are you work hard for it.
“I started as an influencer in 2019, walked the fashion shows of Avon intimate apparel during the pandemic from 2021-2022, and became the face and now the endorser of the brand of the campaign #EverybodyForEveryBody. Now we open a new era of acceptance, love, and empowerment to the new generation about body positivity. Let us embrace ourselves and celebrate one another with Pride!”
Klea Pineda, the GMA 7 actress who recently came out to widespread support, strutted on the runway like she is the beauty queen she’s also meant to be: “First all-queer underwear fashion show with Avon!
“It still feels surreal that I can now freely and unapologetically show my support to the LGBTQIA+ community! And what better way to make this more meaningful than to walk my first-ever queer runway with Avon!
“Avon has been a champion of inclusivity and self-expression throughout the years, and it even goes beyond the celebration of Pride month. Their Flexicomfort Intimate Apparel sure made me confident to strut and strike a pose on the runway!
“Sobrang inspiring na mapabilang sa makabuluhang event na ‘to along with other members of the community who I truly look up to. This event felt so liberating for me and it made me feel that I truly BELONG regardless of how I identify and express myself. My family’s support also helped me shake my nerves and feel more empowered!
“Thank you so much Avon PH for this opportunity! I’m with you in rallying everybody to celebrate everybody for safer and more inclusive queer spaces!”
“King of the Catwalk” Sinon Loresca flaunted his runway skills in a voluminous rainbow trail. Kali Navea-Huff, Miss Universe Philippines Pasig 2023 was in a colorful fantasy. Beauty guru Lourd Ramos was also in his model-fantasy element. Out came in a corset was pageant king JP Ocat, who was a Pit Crew member in Drag Race Philippines Season 1.
The reality competition show was
well-represented: winner Precious Paula Nicole wearing a tulle robe with shearling embellishments and trimmings by Thian Rodriguez, and host Paolo Ballesteros, ushered in by transgender men Sky Teotico and Gian Cruz, in a mint green gown for a Marilyn Monroe moment.
Finalist Viñas DeLuxe gave a rousing performance of “Sirena” in a red-hot number, gushing on Instagram: “Grabe! So grateful sa mga opportunities!! Maraming salamat po! Naway manganak ito ng mas maraming doors sa buong community!”
The showstopper was Nunoy Revlon, a “proud Pinoy from Paris, France,” who has conquered the New York ballroom scene. He was part of the third season of HBO’s Legendary, the American voguing reality competition streaming television series, which explores ball culture including dancing, voguing, and walking events.
Nunoy belongs to the House of Revlon with mother Keiona Revlon and father Vinii Revlon. Their house finished in third place after the Kiki House of Juicy Couture and the House of Yohji Yamamoto. He also established a House of Revlon PH.
The Prince of the House of Revlon posted on his Instagram account his Pride message: “I am Nunoy Revlon. We are humans, we are people, and we have the right to LIVE who we are! Let’s stand together!”
After the All-Queer Underwear Fashion Show, Nunoy announced: “HISTORY. Walking for the first ever ALL-QUEER runway underwear fashion show in the Philippines presented by @avonph! The fact that I was part of this is unbelievable, I am beyond grateful and I can’t be happier for everyone who was part of this! BALLROOM IS HERE.”