Philippine Tatler welcomes the year 2016 with eight of the region's most stylish women led by Philippines' representative, Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez. This issue also highlights the luxury lifestyle landmarks of 2015 as featured in this year's edition of "Best of Life", as well as seven entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their respective industries in "Shaping the Future."

BEHIND THE SCENES

When Stephanie Kienle-Gonzalez arrived at BJ Pascual’s Makati studio at 9:30 in the morning, she was bright-eyed and raring to go. Pascual had shot Kienle-Gonzalez for our November 2014 issue, and Kienle-Gonzalez liked the results so much that she personally requested to have him photograph her for this issue. One of the most in-d emand photographers in the country, Pascual was working overseas for most of the month, but we were fortunately able to schedule a shoot with him in the nick of time. It was a little close to our deadline, but we made it work.

Kienle-Gonzalez is our pick for this year’s Most Stylish Woman, so it made perfect sense that we consulted her regarding the looks we would use in the shoot. After some discussion with Pascual, it was decided that more outfits were needed, and so our cover girl sent over some clothes from her own wardrobe. It was almost noon when we started shooting, but Kienle-Gonzalez was such a natural in front of a camera that each layout went like a breeze. “Which [modelling] agency are you from again?” our hair and make-up artists would ask her, causing her to burst into a fit of giggles. We transferred to Sofitel Manila in the afternoon, giving ourselves an hour to take a breather and have some refreshments before going back to work. With the sun setting over the water, Manila Bay was simply spectacular, each hue of the setting sun perfectly captured by Pascual’s lens.

Photography: BJ Pascual | Styling: Samantha Tidalgo | Location: Imperial Residence at Sofitel Philippines Plaza