Onstage fashion can define a large part of who an artist is, often leaving a lasting impression even before they sing a single note. Their outfits not only showcase unspoken facets of their personalities, but also add to the immersive sonic world they bring on stage — and it’s all thanks to their stylists that put in great work.

Whether it’s capturing an artist’s entire persona or making sure they dazzle on stage, stylists do wonders in putting together outfits that can tell a whole story. Just take a look at Billboard Philippines: Mainstage — from Cup Of Joe‘s prom-inspired outfits to TJ Monterde‘s avant-garde suit, the night was more than a feast of a great music, but stunning fashion too.

And so, as we continue to reel back from an incredible anniversary celebration at Billboard Philippines: Mainstage, let’s take a look at the many stories that inspired some of your favorite artists’ outfits that night. We caught up with stylists Lynus Martin, Jasper Añonuevo, and Cha Fronteras to talk about the power of music in fashion and how they respectively pieced together outfits for Cup Of Joe, TJ Monterde, and Alamat.

Lynus Martin for Cup Of Joe

Photographed by Kim Santos of KLIQ Inc.

What was the creative vision behind Cup Of Joe’s Mainstage look? What were some of your inspirations?

The creative vision for Cup Of Joe’s Mainstage look was inspired by the prom aesthetic, using a sleek black and white color scheme but instead of the classic suit and tie, I incorporated different silhouettes for each member. Each band member showcases their individuality while maintaining a cohesive style. The aim was to create a polished and eye-catching look that reflects both the band’s unity and their unique personalities.

Walk us through your creative process, especially for live performance looks. How do you know that certain pieces or styles would work on a particular person?

My creative process for these looks involves getting to know each band member personally, which I’ve done with Cup Of Joe through our previous work together. Understanding their individual vibes and styles, as well as their sizes, helps me envision which outfits will suit them best. This familiarity allows me to select pieces that not only look great on stage but also make each member feel confident and authentic in their performance.

What was your personal favorite part of the outfits you put together for the show?

My personal favorite part of the outfits for the show was incorporating a unique corsage for each member, designed in a very “Lynus” style with an Orchid Eye brooch. Each brooch featured a different color, allowing individuality while still embracing the prom aesthetic. This detail helped to create a cohesive yet personalized look that aligned perfectly with my branding as a stylist. 

Billboard Philippines: Mainstage was all about celebrating music. In your own personal work, how does music influence you?

Music plays a significant role in my personal work. I love to fill any opportunity that there are empty spaces of silence with music, which keeps my creative energy flowing. I also enjoy listening to a broad range of genres, as different styles can spark new ideas. When styling outfits, I often choose music that matches the vibe I’m aiming for, helping me stay inspired and focused throughout the project.

Jasper Añonuevo for TJ Monterde

Photographed by Kim Santos of KLIQ Inc.

What was the creative vision behind TJ Monterde’s Mainstage look? What were some of your inspirations?

My vision for TJ’s Mainstage look is to balance simplicity and experimental edge. I want his outfit to feel alluring yet subtly outside-the-box figure, considering TJ’s style and branding. The inspiration for this look is drawn from Maison Margiela’s Fall 2019 collection, which is known for its innovative silhouettes, variety of textures and proportions.

From the collection, I was inspired by the utilization of deconstruction with the touch of traditional menswear elements — that showcases cuts and layering. Margiela’s ability to merge simplicity with avant-garde details resonated with the direction I was aiming [for]. Clean lines, neutral tones, but with a twist — that makes the ensemble stand out onstage.

Walk us through your creative process, especially for live performance looks. How do you know that certain pieces or styles would work on a particular person?

My creative process for live performance looks begins by understanding the artist’s style through their profile and previous work with stylists. I then discuss their comfort level with clothing — whether they prefer staying on-trend or are open to trying something new.

With this in mind, I gather inspiration from designers and other sources, aiming to balance their current style with my own twist. I also love incorporating thrifted pieces and upcycling them to create unique, sustainable looks that stand out on stage. It adds a personal and creative touch, while keeping the look environmentally conscious.

The final look always comes down to collaboration, ensuring [that] the artist feels confident, comfortable, and expressive while standing out during the performance.

What was your personal favorite part of the outfits you put together for the show?

My favorite part of the outfits was the coat. I deconstructed it and hand-sewed the details, adding a unique, personal touch. The coat made KZ and TJ’s looks cohesive and technically in unison. 

KZ’s style is high fashion and experimental, so I wanted TJ’s look to complement her style to balance their charisma while performing.

Billboard Philippines: Mainstage was all about celebrating music. In your own personal work, how does music influence you?

Music has always been a massive influence with my work, especially from local artists. Their passion and creativity inspire me to pushing forward on my creative career and journey. When I listen to their music, I feel driven to explore new ideas and take creative risks. Music also helps me connect emotionally to the pieces I’m styling, ensuring that the looks I create resonate with the artist’s sound and energy.

Cha Fronteras for Alamat

Photographed by Kim Santos of KLIQ Inc.

What was the creative vision behind Alamat’s Mainstage look? What were some of your inspirations?

For Alamat’s look at Billboard Philippines: Mainstage, I was inspired by a dark, cohesive aesthetic that aligns with the intensity of their song “Aswang.” I envisioned something bolder in shades of red, silver, and black – something darker for them. My goal was to bring out a fierce, standout presence on stage. Their looks were about reimagining a darker aesthetic while creating a daring new visual space that would also fit the energy of Billboard’s concert.

Walk us through your creative process, especially for live performance looks. How do you know that certain pieces or styles would work on a particular person?

This was my first time styling Alamat, so I began by immersing myself in their style. I rewatched all their music videos and checked their social media to get a feel for each member’s personal style and the group’s overall aesthetic. After studying their looks and understanding what would fit their vibe, I created a style deck with reference photos and initial ideas for each member. 

Then came the sourcing stage. I knew I wanted a unique blend of pieces, so I pulled from a few sources. My clothing brand, The Future Is You, was a key part of this. My mom, Charina Fronteras, who is the maker behind my brand, was instrumental in bringing my ideas to life — we reworked several pieces specifically for the boys. I also collaborated with designers Eman Riñoza and Nash August for additional pullouts, making sure each look was custom-fit to the energy of a live performance.

What was your personal favorite part of the outfits you put together for the show?

I have a favorite detail in each outfit. For Jao, it was the bedazzled underbust corset and the metallic ring fingers, which gave a nod to a knight’s hand armor. For Tomas, I loved the red droplet beadings on his whole outfit, adding a fierce, blood-like drip effect. Taneo’s cropped blazer and pants with reused silver buttons were a standout, while Mo’s encrusted blazer adorned with vintage brooches brought a sense of uniqueness to his look. R-Ji’s flared white pants were perfect for movement, creating a dynamic effect on stage. And for Alas, his reworked sleeveless top featured a handmade backbone structure that revealed itself when he turned, which was a striking, unexpected detail.

Billboard Philippines: Mainstage was all about celebrating music. In your own personal work, how does music influence you?

Music is a huge part of my creative process. I always have a pocket speaker on during shoots — it helps me tap into a flow state where creativity comes naturally. Music fuels me and inspires me to style with intention and care, bringing out the best in each look. It’s not just upbeat tracks, either; even melancholic or slow songs can spark ideas, helping me build outfits that truly capture the mood and vision of each project. When I’m in the right headspace through music, I can fully invest in my work and deliver my best.