VP/Fashion | Rebirth After Refrain: The Beauty in New Money

Loud and lavish fashion, as opposed to quiet and subtle, defines what the new money style stands for. With bold prints, attention-grabbing patterns, and an audacious spirit, it epitomizes what modern society has deemed as the definition of luxury.

While the higher echelons of society might see it as tacky, ‘new money’ fashion stands for something greater than the belief that money talks, wealth whispers. It is a badge of honor, an ode to achievements no words can describe. After all, fashion highly represents a person’s self-expression at its core.

In this edition of VP/Fashion, we champion the brilliant minds of Raymond Cauilan, Mycke Arcano, and Dave Arden who have risen their ranks through burgeoning passion and embracing the bizarre.

Inspired by New Money’s style and summer hues, this month’s VP/Fashion embraces the beauty of excess, lavishness, and freedom. With model Wryan Chua, we look at New Money fashion as a rebirthing experience after life’s refraining constraints.

Going from Less to More

With only his entry-level camera and kit lens, Raymond Cauilan started his journey as an aspiring photographer. Determined to make it, he vigorously invited friends from Facebook to have test shoots with him. Over time, test shoots turned into projects that would slowly introduce his powerhouse talent to the country.

Amidst life adversities, Raymond has made a name for himself through dedication, passion, and a portfolio that speaks for itself. His story is proof that owning more does not just mean material things. Lavishness, contrary to material things, could also mean talent, grit, and hunger for more.

Having lived a simple and minimalistic life, Raymond naturally had a curiosity for the idea of indulging in beautiful and expensive things. Fascinated by the nouveau riche, Raymond embarked on a journey of making his fashion story come to life with Mycke and Dave.

Centered around all things extravagant, Raymond wanted the photos to invoke the idea of “drowning in so much wealth.” With tinges of the Renaissance aesthetic, Raymond captured the essence of the New Money aesthetic against the backdrop of loud and vibrant hues of the summer.

Taking the Spotlight

It was an easy ‘yes’ for Mycke when Raymond presented an overview of the creative direction for the shoot. He went along and did not doubt as he had collaborated with Dave and Raymond several times in the past before. The challenge now depends on how they’ll outdo themselves and create something different.

A portraiture hobbyist turned hair stylist, Mycke Arcano’s story teaches us a lesson about making lemonades out of lemons life throws at you. His introduction to grooming and hairstyling started when his friends asked him to do hairstyling and shooting makeup looks for their play shoots. Being able to witness such transformation just from changing hairstyles, Mycke decided to pursue a career as a beauty creative.

Still learning the ropes of the beauty world, it was Mycke’s curiosity that made him persevere. Through hard work and dedication, Mycke took advantage of life’s constantly changing oddities and made a name for himself.

Although Mycke does not necessarily identify with New Money’s fashion and aesthetic, he sees the beauty in showing off. For this shoot, Mycke made sure that he was giving nothing less than his most extra.

“On beauty, I’ve tried experimenting on looks that I feel our model, Wryan, haven’t tried, and highlighted more of his Asian features.”
– Mycke shared.

Embracing the Lavish

There is beauty in playing along — at least that’s what laid out so many opportunities for stylist, Dave Arden. Never afraid of challenges, Dave pursued fashion styling after his best friend encouraged him to do it. Mapping his way in fashion, he got drawn into the idea of creating styles out of his comfort zone.

Throughout his career, it was Dave’s nerve that made him stand out. Fashion became an extension of how he presented himself to the world. His art form expressed in garments became an avenue to shout while living a simple and basic life.

To capture the New Money Silhouette, Dave mixed and matched thrifted pieces along with pullouts from his styling wardrobe. From denim pieces and casual knits to brightly colored tailored suits, Dave made sure to capture the loud and excessive nature of the New Money style with just the right amount of extra.

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Aside from the clothes, Dave’s creative process for this shoot focused on using women’s accessories while keeping the masculine appeal. The baroque and dangling accessories were reminiscent of the maximalism of the Renaissance period. The layers within layers of accessories, seen in all layouts, beg for attention as they garland Wryan Chua’s body.

Redefining New Money

To Mycke, fashion at its very core depends on someone’s personality. Dave also added that at the end of the day, fashion comes down to your own choices.

“…I strongly believe that if it’s not how you want to be perceived, then stay practical and more lowkey with [your] lifestyle and clothing choices,”
– Mycke said.

Overtly tacky and gaudy, as some people might call it, New Money’s aesthetic and is an unabashed ode to now. While there is still a fascination towards inherited wealth, our modern society has grown a liking towards media fame and a conspicuous amount of wealth — whatever its origins may be.

In 2024, the New Money style conveys an ambiguous message. While some clamors online deem the New Money style as a try-hard, time has proven that the extravagant exhibit of clothes is more than just the mere showing off of wealth. For these people, money represents their bread and butter. It is a declaration of power after breaking free from a once-destitute past.

The team’s use of money, crown jewels, and maximalism in the editorial shoot is a metaphor for loud luxury. Wryan Chua’s depiction of the theme involves personifying a character consumed by the copious amount of wealth coming his way.

Although they don’t personally identify with the nouveau riche, Raymond, Mycke, and Dave’s stories are still stories of grit and declaration. Without the advantages of inherited wealth, they were able to become self-made personalities in their regard.

There is no such thing as unattainable in our generation. Either you work your way up, or you dress the part until you blend in. Sometimes, within the eccentricities of ourselves lies the beauty of our potential. Just like Raymond, Mycke, and Dave, seeing the beauty within those singularities can lead to a thousand rebirthing experiences towards the spotlight.