World, it’s forever summertime—Marina Summers gets real on her journey in fashion, passion, and self-love
This fashion feature is an excerpt from MEGA’s April 2024 Issue
This is Marina Summers’s origin story. Just like any other creative out there, it all started with a concept deck.
“Ever since, ang trabaho ko na ay bumuo ng konsepto, magsulat, at magdirek,” shares Marina, who once worked as a producer for a big television network in the Philippines. “Ang una kong ginawa bago ako humawak ng makeup at wig, gumawa ako ng concept deck kung sino si Marina Summers. Ganoon ako ka-cerebral. I really wanted to make sure na buo ’yong konsepto at imaging para lahat ng desisyon na gagawin ko—fashion, makeup, performance, and the way I carry myself—it all makes sense cohesively.”
When she first did drag, was she able to achieve that? She admits to a definite, “No.” Along the way, she was exploring and finding what works best for her image of Marina: festive, tropical, and Rio-oriented. Think Carmen Miranda.
But eventually, she began to feel more confident, beautiful, and powerful when she was doing the bombshell brand—sex on legs, glamorous, but still carrying that tropical island diva theme.
Marina made sure she chose a drag name that’s going to be a household name, something that’s both remarkable and marketable. The name Marina came from the word “marine,” which pertains to the sea; and Summers is from the summer season. The name Marina also represents the mermaid fantasy series she grew up watching.
“It’s an extension of my inner child na naglalaro sa loob ng kuwarto, nagsusuot ng punda ng unan, at nagpapanggap na sirena,” the 27-year-old shares. “Now, I’m able to do that without hiding—in glamorous clothes and full regalia. It was me playing with my younger self. The overall theme is the Filipina diva, as the first Filipina to compete in an international all-stars franchise. It means a lot for me to bring the entire country there and represent something bigger: the Filipino heritage and culture, my fellow drag queens, and the entirety of Filipino drag. It’s the full Filipino excellence on display.”
HOMECOMING QUEEN
When she was in Drag Race Philippines Season 1, not a lot of designers agreed to do Marina’s clothes. But this time around, in Drag Race UK vs The World Season 2, she was able to fulfill her dream of being a Filipina muse on and off stage. The Filipino designers she has worked with are also all-stars, including Albert Andrada, Neric Beltran, Jude Macasinag, Leo Almodal, and Mak Tumang.
All of the concepts of the designs came from Marina herself. With the help of her stylist Paul Sese and guidance from MEGA’s fashion director Ryuji Shiomitsu, she gave the designers full agency to put their own twist to her ideas. The results were pieces that were still truthful to Marina’s vision: holistic, polished, and represented excellence.
In drag, Marina’s personal style is inspired by Miss Universe fashion: evening gown, national costume, swimwear, production numbers, and the fashion of it all. It also includes press conferences, interviews, and arrival looks.
That’s a lot of beautiful creations, but if there’s one outfit that she can wear for the rest of her life, it’s definitely the evening gown. “If I were to be glamorous forever, I would gladly do it,” she notes. Over the years, she was also able to explore different avenues of fashion, such as camp, avant-garde, and haute couture, while sticking to her fashion formula: chic, sleek, and sexy.
Find out Marina Summers’s next move in MEGA’s April 2024 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Photographed by SEVEN BARRETTO. Creative Direction by JONES PALTENG. Fashion Direction by RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Styling Assistant JUANCHO BUENDIA. Makeup by TINY DELUXE. Hair GABSTAR. Photographer’s Assistant CLAUDE VILLAHERMOSA, ERWIN BOTIN, and DARIEL MIRAFLOR. Editorial Assistant JONNIE NGO. Sittings Editor MARIAN SAN PEDRO. Special thanks to CAMP SUMMERS, KRISTIAN LUDAN SANGALANG, and STUDIO SEVEN
