Crafting Timeless Narratives: What Happened At Project Vanity's 15th Anniversary
Event photography by Perkin Gotohio
Project Vanity has always been a beacon for its strong community centered on beauty. Celebrating their 15th anniversary, it was evident that time only strengthened the bonds that held this community together. The "Beauty Without a Time Limit" event on October 28th at the House of XO was a testament to that, putting pivotal beauty discussions at the forefront.
Empowered women, empower women: Cheryl Tan Chua, Belle Rodolfo, Myrza Sison, Liz Lanuzo, Carol RH Malasig, Nelly Tee See, Jocelyn Uy
There, I encountered long-time readers of Project Vanity, some who have been following since their college days or before tying the knot. There were also newer readers, including school-goers and even children of avid readers who now have taken to the platform themselves. The venue shimmered with attendees, all united, adorning lovely hues of pink, symbolizing a thriving community.
Guests played the Bloom & Bond Bingo to get to know each other better
There were also conversation starter cards at every table to get the ladies talking
The Kanebo spot where guests got makeovers and a special shopping discount at the event
The founder and heart of Project Vanity, Liz Lanuzo, took the stage to recount a personal anecdote. Using her experience with watercolor, she spoke of her initial self-doubts and how she recognized the beauty of her unique gift. She emphasized that our creations hold value regardless of the time they take, embodying the theme: Beauty Without a Time Limit.
The discussion panel, graced by Belle Rodolfo, Myrza Sison, and Carol RH Malasig, each provided insights on beauty from their life's different vantage points. A universal takeaway was the transient nature of beauty standards. They unanimously emphasized that beauty is subjective, and its definition evolves over time and place. The key, as they highlighted, is self-awareness – understanding oneself better to stand resilient against societal pressures.
Left to right: Liz Lanuzo, Belle Rodolfo, Carol RH Malasig, and Myrza Sison during the panel discussion
Sitting in the crowd, I found myself nodding along and agreeing as these women shared their opinion at every question. I also found myself dumbfounded when Myrza Sison said she was at her fourth or fifth reincarnation of herself! As a woman in her late twenties, it sometimes feels that I should have it all figured out and my life put together. I felt that every roadblock or detour from my life plan felt like a failure on my part. Hearing that there was no time limit for what I wanted in life, from someone who had experienced it all, was a revelation. And Myrza cheekily joked that who knows what she’ll get up to in her next reincarnation!
Belle Rodolfo's resonating advice was a call to action:
Believe that you have the time.
Believe you have the space.
And have the audacity to take up that space!
However, the message that lingered was Liz's closing remark. She stated, “Our beauty isn't about fitting into fleeting molds but about embracing our distinct, timeless stories. It's about valuing each phase of our lives rather than chasing a ticking clock. Let's herald the concept of ‘Beauty Without a Time Limit’, crafting our stories, unburdened by external constraints.”
Despite being a newcomer to a Project Vanity anniversary, the warmth and inclusivity of the community were palpable. As the evening concluded, and we received the iconic Project Vanity kit, there was a unanimous feeling of returning for the next celebration.