Inside the Second Manila Casting Call at Vogue Threads 2025

On the last day of Vogue Threads Manila 2025, the third Vogue Faces casting call becomes a space for connection, self-expression, and celebration.

After six days of masterclasses on fashion, culture, and beauty, Vogue Threads culminates in an onsite casting call, assembling nearly 200 applicants at the RCBC Plaza. On Saturday morning, a line extends from the entrance of the photo exhibit to the foot of the staircase, as friends, students, and professionals wait to be screened for potential features with Vogue Philippines.

In the months since Vogue Faces launched on TikTok, 10 Filipino models have been cast in projects shot by Shaira Luna, which centered stories of identity and body inclusivity in partnership with Vaseline. Now, at the second Manila casting call, emerging talents include new and returning faces, ready to step in front of the camera and share their stories with the Vogue Philippines team.

Upon ascending the stairs to the casting call floor, applicants head to the Vaseline booth for a souvenir photo, or to Frank and Dean for a caffeine fix, before taking their seat in the queue. At the front of the line, they proceed to the next area for a quick touch-up, which focuses less on applying makeup and more on refreshing one’s natural features. 

The next steps include a test shoot, where models receive guidance for posing, and a height-measuring station. Finally, they sit down for a one-on-one interview with a Vogue Philippines writer or editor, an opportunity for the team to learn more about the model’s background and interests. In the case of applicants like Nick, a hospitality major, the session became a chance to speak on common experiences without the precedent of titles. “[One of the interviewers] said she used to work in [my field]… She also worked in hospitality before, so it was nice to talk about that, too.”

Charlize, a marketing student who learned about Vogue Faces through word of mouth, also shares that her interaction with the team put her at ease. On her interview, she says, “It felt super organic and very human, and I really like the questions [because] it was just about us and not really like, ‘what did you achieve’ … It wasn’t like a job interview or anything. I liked it, it felt very genuine to me.”

Stef, a graphic artist who dabbles in photography and fashion illustration, recalls the test shoot as one of the highlights of his day. While he initially applied to Vogue Faces on TikTok, joining Vogue Threads added a new layer to his experience. “It’s super interactive, [and] everything was really smooth actually,” he says. “The photographer was really good and everyone was so nice talaga. I had a great time with them.”

As socials commenced promptly in the afternoon, guests were treated to assorted trays by Premia and beverages by The Black Box. Inside the exhibition space, where music was raised to reflect the celebratory energy of the night, The Flashbox set up a photo booth, allowing attendees to come away with a memory from the week-long event.

For Sheila, another first-time applicant, being able to meet people across different fields and fashion styles was a treat. Dressed in a thrifted, upcycled blazer adorned with hand-sewn teardrop beads, she expresses feeling proud to wear her reworked outfit at a meaningful event. “I think Vogue Threads is a great way to meet people and showcase what you can offer to the industry, to put yourself out there… and to meet different creatives and to express yourself.”

As the entire space transformed into a mixer, previous Vogue Faces models were seen roaming the photo gallery and Vaseline exhibits, with the latter having their portraits on view. Seated on a couch in front of the booth, Sittie Brima voices how surprised and excited she was to see her photos face-to-face. She also shares that connecting with photographers, designers, and other creatives at the event was the most fun, next to spotting a few celebrities. 

Returning to her image on display, Sittie says, “To see it in real life, it’s kind of surreal. And to be part of something like this, especially [with] Vogue, is something that’s really cool.”

Later in the night, as if on cue, Vogue Faces models Ian Sy, Aiji Umemori, and Mariane Lubo walk up the steps together. When asked for their reaction to their portraits, Aiji responds, “One of the first few things I needed to ask Ian to do when I arrived here was like, ‘can you pinch me, can you pinch me?’ Because I cannot believe that this is happening!”

Between similar comments and laughter, other stories emerge. 23-year-old Mariane candidly talks about feeling overwhelmed. “When we were waiting for our photos to be released, I think there was a bit of denial that, okay, we had our photos [taken] and maybe there’s a chance that they might not like it and it might not get published, but at least it was a great experience,” she recalls. Tonight, she exhales knowing that wasn’t the case. 

“For me, as a plus-size girl who was never given the chance to present myself in front of the camera, I just feel that I represent a lot of people,” she says. “There is an art in trying. I feel that, and I’ve heard this a lot, na our generation has become a bit more hesitant in pursuing things just because we fear that we’re cringe, we fear that people might not like it, but sometimes, oftentimes, the only person who cares about what we do is ourselves.” 

For her, Aiji, and Ian, the casting call not only serves as a platform for their journeys so far, but also their stories in the making. “This [project] is a testament na parang, okay just keep on showing up, just keep on trying, then eventually something will hit, something will land,” Ian voices.

The exhibition space is still crowded as the clock ticks closer to the event’s closing. On the gallery floor, guests exchange socials, film videos, and capture their images in front of the Levi’s mirror, among other displays. Upstairs, people chat and take pictures in front of the life-size logo of Vogue Philippines, a name with three years of visual storytelling behind it.

Between the guests and team members present, the unspoken parting message is one of pride, anticipation, and excitement for the future. With the casting call as the week’s final activity, Vogue Threads leaves visitors with the impression of even more possibilities, ones that can only be revealed when you allow yourself to be seen.