“I don’t usually wear a bikini. But earlier, I felt really empowered because all my life, I wanted to achieve unrealistic standards,” says model Justine Llarena after her beauty editorial shoot with Allure Philippines.
Her relationship with her body wasn’t always forgiving. She previously dealt with an eating disorder and felt pressured to conform to the stereotypical size-zero body for models. “But as you grow older, it’s not sustainable to keep up with it unless you’re going to starve yourself,” says Llarena.
Wearing a bikini then was never something she entertained. As a trans woman, she wasn’t at ease wearing one, so much so that she says she avoided going to the beach altogether, choosing not to put herself in situations where she might feel exposed.
Until she discovered tucking panties. “I have a friend who owns tucking underwear for trans women, and it helped me so much with my dysphoria,” she says, smiling. “Before the launch of the brand, I didn’t wear bikinis.”
Dookie Ducay
When it comes to dressing for her body, Llarena says she approaches fashion through proportion. She says her broader shoulders influence the silhouettes she chooses: “A better silhouette is more flared at the bottom and more fitted at the top, or a V-neck,” she continues.
Her mother, who is in her 60s and practices strength training, has also become an important source of inspiration. “I became kind to myself as much as possible in a healthy way,” she says. “So it’s not about trying to achieve a certain body type. It’s about fitness, feeling good, especially in your skin.”
Today, Llarena allows herself to experience things that she once thought were not possible, like wearing a two-piece. This stems from seeing herself in a genial light. “It’s important to respect our body,” she emphasizes. “Instead of chasing unrealistic standards, it’s better to accept what we have.”
On confidence
Dookie Ducay
Conscious of her broad shoulders and less-defined hips, Llarena is among many who have learned to dress in ways that conceal certain features. But being on the beach, where everything is laid bare, can heighten that awareness, especially as a trans woman navigating body dysmorphia. It was her discovery of tucking panties that allowed her to feel free. “Since then, seeing myself in a bikini makes me feel very excited,” she says.
Slick and slay
Dookie Ducay
Sleek hair has been all the rage recently. HairstylistHairstylistA beauty professional who specializes in cutting, coloring, styling, and caring for hair, combining technical expertise and creativity to enhance individual style, confidence, and self-expression.Go to Hairstylist Glossary Jan Edrosolan channels the trend with a touch of nostalgia, gathering the hair into a vintage-inspired, severely side-parted bun finished with a kiss curl on the forehead. For a hair look that won’t budge come rain or shine, Edrosolan shares that using Got2b Glued Styling Hair Glue helps keep every strand in place while adding a glossy finish to the hair.
Art direction and beauty direction by Nicole Almero and Sacha Mancera. Photography by Dookie Ducay, assisted by Byron De Guzman, Sean Francisco, and Lou Fajardo. Makeup by Jigs Mayuga. Hair by Jan Edrosolan. Styling by Gee Jocson, assisted by Yen Noche. Modeled by Justine Llarena. Shot on location at The Westin Manila.
Frequently Asked Questions
Justine Llarena is a Filipina trans model featured in an Allure Philippines editorial, known for speaking openly about moving past size-zero standards, managing dysphoria, and accepting her body.
Tucking underwear compresses and secures the genital area for a smoother silhouette under swimwear. For Llarena, it eased the dysphoria that had kept her from beaches and bikinis.
Llarena dresses by proportion. With broader shoulders and less-defined hips, she favors silhouettes fitted at the top and flared at the bottom, or a V-neckline, to balance her frame.
Hairstylist Jan Edrosolan used a severe side part, a vintage-inspired bun, and a kiss curl, setting it with Got2b Glued Styling Hair Glue for hold and a glossy finish.
For Llarena, body acceptance means prioritizing fitness and feeling good in her skin over a specific body type, inspired by her mother, who strength-trains in her 60s.
