Aze. Photographed by Angelo Tantuico
SM Mall of Asia became a style destination as Laufey fans arrived in coquette-coded street style, blending thrifted pieces with bows and pearls.
Whenever Laufey comes to Manila, the city seems to slip into one of her songs, and this year she returns to SM Mall of Asia for her biggest Manila run yet with the A Matter of Time Tour across Southeast Asia. Originally announced as a two-day residency, overwhelming demand led organizers to add a third show after tickets for the Icelandic-Chinese singer sold out almost immediately. On the first night, amid the city’s peak heatwave, thousands of bow-clad Lauvers arrived dressed in their Sunday best for the occasion.
Coquette, balletcore, and Ivy League influences defined the crowd’s aesthetic, creating an atmosphere that felt part jazz lounge, part library romance, and part coming-of-age film scored with vinyl crackle and string arrangements. While a few pieces from Laufey’s official Gabriella Uy-designed merchandise were present, most attendees opted for a more resourceful and DIY approach. Think Uniqlo dresses and crisp shirts mixed with thrifted ukay-ukay finds, finished with dainty white socks, pearl necklaces and earrings, and makeshift ribbon bows pinned all over the body.
Along the bayside walkways, a sea of ruffles and frills drifted through the crowd, accented by Laufey’s signature royal blue and glints of retro costume jewelry, as though the dress code had been lifted straight from a teenager’s dream of prom night. Above all, the fans followed an unspoken dress code that felt personal, translating her musical universe into extensions of their own wardrobes and identities.
Outside the venue, Vogue Philippines documented some of the evening’s standout looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laufey is an Icelandic-Chinese singer-songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist known for blending jazz, classical music, bossa nova, and contemporary pop.
“Lauvers” is the fan-given nickname for Laufey’s global fanbase. The term combines “Laufey” with “lovers.”
Laufey’s Manila stop spans three consecutive nights at the SM Mall of Asia Arena from May 26 to 28 as part of her A Matter of Time Tour.
The A Matter of Time Tour is Laufey’s third major concert tour and supports her latest album of the same name. The global tour spans North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, featuring arena-scale performances that expand on the orchestral, jazz-pop sound she has become known for.
A Matter of Time explores a more emotionally exposed side of Laufey’s songwriting. While her earlier records focused heavily on dreamy romance and jazz nostalgia, this album leans into themes of vulnerability, anxiety, heartbreak, identity, perfectionism, and the complicated realities of falling in love.
