Ana Cruz Kayne Takes the Philippine Terno to Barbie’s Pink Carpet
Gearing up for the release of the season’s most anticipated movie, Barbie, the world is going full pink mode. Filipino-American actress Ana Cruz Kayne, who plays Supreme Court Justice Barbie in the film, is no exception. The star, however, put a twist on the hyperfeminine aesthetic by embracing her roots and repping the Philippines on the pink carpet.
Barbie Embraces the Terno
The press tour and premieres of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie have delivered plenty of headline-worthy style moments. With a star-studded cast and Barbie’s history as a fashion icon, it couldn’t be otherwise. But while leading actress Margot Robbie has been recreating legendary Barbie outfits, her co-stars have taken more experimental routes.
Actress Ana Cruz Kayne, for example, has paid tribute to the Philippines with modern iterations of the traditional Filipino attire known as the terno. Terno is a term used to refer to matching sets and dresses characterized by statement butterfly sleeves and Ana has proudly worn the piece during Barbie’s press promotions.
Pink Carpet Ready
On July 9, at Barbie’s world premiere in Los Angeles, Ana flaunted her heritage dressed in a terno bodice by Pinoy designer Dennis Lustico. The pink number featured intricate embellishments and was paired with a long Hervé Léger fringe skirt. Styled by Pj Pascual and Nikko Panti — who is also to credit for Bella Poarch’s terno looks — Ana’s outfit featured silver Stuart Weitzman sandals and a Barbiecore clutch from Carolina Herrera. On Instagram, Dennis Lustico shared that Ana “specifically requested to wear something Filipino” for the occasion.
The look was as Barbie-appropriate as it gets and, as noted by Carlyle Nuera, Barbie Signature Lead Designer, it coincidentally channeled the style of Blush Fringed Gown Barbie (2017).
A few days later, at Barbie’s European premiere in London, Ana reprised the terno and sported another design by Lustico. The look consisted of a nude top with leaf apliqués, paired with a ruffled hem pencil skirt and silver sandals. Ana’s look fit right into Barbie’s pink-themed universe and proved that terno fashion can be reinvented in a myriad of ways.
The Terno is in
But Ana is not repping the Philippines on the red carpets only. The actress shared with The Messenger that her character, Supreme Court Justice Barbie, will also have a terno moment in a “pivotal” scene of the film. “[I] felt like I was honoring my family,” Ana said about wearing a floral dress with butterfly sleeves onscreen. “I don’t know how they came up with it so fast, but it felt so special and so unique to my Barbie,” she gushed. “And so that was my favorite outfit, I would say my favorite part of Barbie.”
Steeped in history, the terno has been reinvented by contemporary Filipino designers, who have contributed to keeping this sartorial staple alive — and thriving. In addition to Ana Cruz Kayne, stars such as Bella Poarch, Liza Soberano and Belle Mariano have taken terno-infused ensembles to international events like the Gold Gala and the Seoul International Drama Awards.
Another Pinoy star proudly embracing her roots is LAPILLUS’ Chanty. Read EnVi’s exclusive Style Profile with the Filipino-Argentinian K-pop star here.
