Catriona Gray

On the heels of her pageant triumphs, the woman that once captured the universe is now building worlds of her own through her passions and advocacies, one being women empowerment. “Body Positivity is a journey and not a destination. As we age, our bodies as women are ever-evolving and changing – as are the beauty standards of society, if I’m honest. The aim is to really just take small steps everyday towards appreciating and embracing the miracle and beauty that your body is.” In true queen wisdom, self-love for Catriona isn’t radically achieved overnight but, instead remains a constant commitment in viewing yourself under a more forgiving light.

One of the things that helps Catriona feel most confident? Experimenting with her style. “Fashion, for me, is a form of self expression and reflects the choice of how I’ve decided to present myself to the world that day. And that choice – that to me is empowering.” Summer allows Catriona the liberty to play with bolder and more colorful choices, just like the pieces from H&M’s Tropical Essentials. “There’s an emerald asymmetric two piece from the collection, and I love its color and flattering cut! A perfect swimsuit for me is a piece that I’m comfortable in and that I feel flatters me and my body shape.” These days, the queen has been making moves beyond the pageant stage, as she devotes more time to causes close to her heart and her personal passions. Catriona has served as an ambassador for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Red Cross. As she dedicates more time to her artistry in music and giving back to her community, Cat reminds us why she’ll forever bear the title of a ‘queen’. Because all of these iconic feats? Well they’re simply queen things.

Jodi Sta. Maria

As she enters the powerful era of her 40s, Jodi Sta. Maria reminds us that a woman is never ‘done’ or past her prime. Thriving more than ever, the actress continues to add to her long list of wins after cementing decades of success in the industry. After being granted the Best Actress award at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2022, Jodi is the testament to the fact that the best next thing is ahead of us. As she looks to color her summer with bigger projects and new hobbies like cooking and baking, her simple goal lies in the art of constant improvement. “I’m just focused on continuously learning and trying out new things. There’s no age limit to chasing new dreams.”

Part of what makes her so iconic is this unwavering self assuredness that the actress possesses. “I achieved this confidence in style by knowing that what I wear is who I am.” Fashion allows Jodi the avenue to express her truest nature. “I would say that my style has always been the laid back type. I go for functionality. Some people are surprised when I tell them that because they’re used to seeing me all dolled up — but for me, comfort is the priority.” Her favorite pieces from the collection capture her love for comfort dressing. “I just love to style their bikini tops with the collection’s linen shorts. The outfit is comfortable, not too revealing, and still remains stylish. They have nice maxi dresses as well that you can use for the city, and at the same time they’re conveniently suitable for the beach!”

Andrea Brillantes

Andrea Brillantes is everywhere — from countless billboards decorating the metro, numerous brand commercials, and trending TikTok videos that amass millions of views — the young star is the next big thing in the industry. With so many accomplishments already under her belt and on their way, it’s easy to forget that Blythe just recently turned 20 years old. As one of the most influential young women of her generation, she aims to be a positive example for young women struggling with confidence. “Honestly it took a while for me to love my body and accept my flaws. And I’d be lying if i say na hindi ako na i-insecure because i still have my moments. But my advice is to not listen to anybody else. It’s easier said than done, but once you’ve mastered the art of being ‘unbothered’, I swear no one can bring you down anymore.”

Andrea’s confidence and feisty personality comes to life through her style. Paying no mind to external opinions, she dresses for herself and what she currently feels in the moment. “I would describe my style as seasonal. And by seasonal, I mean it all depends on my mood at that time! If I feel happy, I’ll wear something vibrant and maybe in the theme of Y2K. If I feel strong or empowered that day, I’ll wear something edgy with a pair of shades.” When it comes to summer styles, she opts for fresh pieces that celebrate her young spirit. “I love the teal bandeau + skirt + shades combo from the H&M Tropical Essentials Collection I wore. When looking for the perfect summer OOTD, I go for pieces that flatter, make me feel snatched, and have vibrant colors!”

Kim Chiu

A walking woman of wonder, Kim Chiu is everyone’s body goal and girlboss inspo at the same time. This industry powerhouse has long served as an icon for women – especially with how she navigates the attention and pressure that comes with being under the spotlight for so long. From the big screens to the small, her performances are the kind that stay with you for a long time. And with everything she’s been achieving – Kim Chiu has built a name that’s hard to forget.

The actress’ style takes from her bubbly personality — bright, experimental, and magnetic. Her love affair with color comes to life all the more during summertime. “I love everything bright and vibrant! Summer is fun and all about colors. My top 3 are yellow, pink, and green.” Her favorite thing about H&M’s Tropical Essentials collection is its flexibility, offering women a playground for style. “H&M swim is very diverse. Their one-piece suits can go both ways, on the beach or in the city. At the beach, you can wear it as it is, with denim shorts, a bandana cover-up. In the city, you can wear it with denim pants, leather pants, or a skirt and pair it with boots.” She treats her style as a personal narrative that boldly expresses her truest self. “Don’t make fashion own you. You decide what you are or who you wear – that is called style.”

A big priority for the actress is self-care, investing time in both physical and mental wellness. “Overall, I surround myself with people who matter to me and care for me. It is essential to have that safe circle where you can talk about anything and everything and have fun. Nature also is a great healer in terms of mental health. Plus, daily workouts make for great moods because of the rush of endorphins.” Kim’s hot girl summer is defined by challenging her body to greater heights in a healthy and positive way, serving as an inspiration to many women alike. “Positive body image comes from yourself. Once you start to feel good about yourself and believe in yourself, then the rest will follow. Having a happy mindset can give you that positive aura that people can also be drawn to you.”

A queen, an inspiration, a legacy, and the future — a woman’s potential is universal. As we celebrate International Women's Month, we look to muses like Catriona, Kim, Jodi, and Blythe who are proving time and time again that modern women don’t just have a seat at the table – they’re now leading the conversation.