RAJO LAUREL dress and BULGARI jewelry. Photographed by Mark Seliger for the June 2025 Issue of Vogue Philippines
In a rare and compelling reunion with the camera, we sat down with the creatives behind the Anna Bayle cover story.
It all began with a Zoom call. On screen appeared the editorial team of Vogue Philippines, renowned portrait photographer Mark Seliger, and a woman whose influence in the modeling world needs no introduction. That virtual meeting set the stage for what would become a powerful visual tribute to one of the industry’s most celebrated figures. The goal was clear: to create a love letter in images for Asia’s first supermodel, Anna Bayle.
From the outset, the creative direction was guided by purpose. “We saw this story as Anna Bayle’s love letter to fashion, and it had to be approached as a legacy story,” says Pam Quiñones, Vogue Philippines deputy editor. “Anna is a fashion trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire many. Known for her unwavering professionalism, she embraced her uniqueness and was celebrated for her long dark hair, her chameleon-like qualities, and her signature walk.” Her walk, famously influenced by the women of her province in the Philippines, became a defining feature of her global presence. “She understood that to thrive on international runways, she needed to be singular, and she did this by owning her Filipina features,” Quiñones added.
The production came together with care and intention. Beauty editor and former model Joyce Oreña, who had a longstanding rapport with Bayle, made the first connection. “Once she said yes, she got confirmed. Then I started talking to her,” says executive producer Anz Hizon. “She requested that all communications be through me, because she only wants to talk to one person.” Bayle had long been part of Vogue Philippines’ editorial dreams. But this story required the right time, the right team, and the right tone. “Anna made it clear—if she was to reappear in this space, she wanted to be seen as who she is now, not as a model,” Hizon explained. That vision shaped the decision to bring in Seliger. “Mark is a portrait photographer first and not a fashion photographer. That makes sense… because a portrait photographer would be able to capture that.”
The shoot’s creative foundation centered on ageless, emotionally resonant portraiture. “Mark Seliger had a very human and emotional approach to the story, which aligned with Vogue Philippines,” Quiñones says. “The creative focused on specific poses and layouts that would serve as a tribute to Anna’s fashion legacy. One is her signature hair, and the other one is the catwalk.”
Styling played a crucial role in bringing this concept to life. Fashion editor David Milan collaborated with New York-based stylist Daniel Edley to curate a wardrobe that would honor Bayle’s roots while reflecting her enduring elegance. “We made sure Anna got to wear some of the best Filipino designers for this momentous occasion,” Milan explains. “We wanted to explore sculptural silhouettes and tactile contrasts that highlight her era-defining walk and signature hair. And of course, we wanted to include elements that allude to the Filipino sartorial identity.”
For Edley, curating the wardrobe was about timelessness and intentionality, with designers such as Schiaparelli, Marc Jacobs, and Christian Siriano. “I wanted to create timeless, sculptural, portrait-style images, so I didn’t want anything trendy,” he explained. “I chose mostly black and neutral pieces, and I wanted to take the opportunity to include some Filipino designers who were new to me, to help create richness and diversity for this shoot.”
The process began with a fitting session that doubled as a moment of discovery. “Anna and I spent a few hours getting to know each other, what we liked and didn’t, having fun trying on lots of things,” Edley says. “Anna was very open and willing to try on anything, but she definitely had her opinions on certain pieces, which we mostly agreed on, which was great.” The next morning, Edley and Seliger edited their favorite looks together before heading to set.
Once shooting began, Bayle brought a kinetic energy to the studio. “Anna is a great mover,” Edley says. “She loved to see herself in a full-length mirror before going to set, and then she would almost dance on set to create beautiful shapes. She was most happy when she was able to move and play with shapes.”
Edley cited two standout moments from the shoot. “I loved the first look we shot, which was the Rajo Laurel shot. I love Anna’s pose, her eyes, her hands, her feet. That, combined with all the beautiful shapes and shadows of the clothing, created a very timeless photo.” Another favorite was the Melitta Baumeister look, which ultimately became the cover. “It’s so quiet and calm,” he says. “You can look at the picture and slowly unpack and discover what is happening in the photo. The clothes are so abstract, Anna’s pose is so beautiful and soulful and quiet.”
For Milan, the styling process was a deeply collaborative effort. “It was important for us to exchange ideas with the designers on how they envisioned the custom pieces for Anna,” he says. “We looked through their archives, trademark silhouettes, and fabrications to develop the final look. Some of these designers grew up during Anna’s time as a model, so imagine their excitement at having the opportunity to dress the singular Anna Bayle.”
This shoot is not a comeback; it is a continuation. It honors a woman whose life journey transformed from that of a pre-med scholar to a global supermodel, mentor, and mother. The fashion industry may celebrate cycles of reinvention, but Anna Bayle has never needed to reinvent herself. Her truth has remained constant, and that truth radiates through every frame of this story.
Photographs by MARK SELIGER. Deputy Editor PAM QUIÑONES. Fashion Editor DAVID MILAN. Styling by DANIEL EDLEY. Talent: Anna Bayle. Deputy Editor: Pam Quiñones. Fashion Editor: David Milan. Stylist: Daniel Edley. Executive Producer: Anz Hizon. Makeup: Francelle Daly. Hair: Adam Markarian. Studio Executive Producer: Ruth Levy. Studio Producer: Madi Overstreet. Nails: Nail Technician Honey at Exposure NY. Tailor: Susan Balcunas. First Assistant and Digital-Tech: Romy Kirchauer. BTS Videographer: Adam Dowling. Stylist’s Assistant: Grace Providencia Wagner. Cover stories by Marilyn Kirschner and Nathan Capistrano.
