Style Wars: How Lorenz Namalata Turned Beauty Empire Into a Visual Battlefield

Viu’s Beauty Empire is not your ordinary rags-to-riches drama series. Inside the cutthroat beauty industry, CEOs go head-to-head over social media—protecting their empires from rivals. And while the show is a compelling story in itself, the styling department is just as captivating, led by New York City-based, Manila-raised creative director Lorenz Namalata, brought in by CreaZion Studios as a creative consultant for styling.

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Wardrobe Narratives

The creative consultant’s goal for Beauty Empire was to make their looks intentional, using fashion as a tool to support their narratives. Every piece of clothing, accessory, and makeup choice was thoughtfully considered. And with the show’s focus on the beauty industry appearance is never just surface-level. “Being in the beauty industry means being fashion adjacent, and a significant aspect of this industry relies on presenting your look in a way that is perceived and received in a certain way,” Namalata reflected.

His dedication showed in a 348-slide presentation outlining how he envisioned each character’s look—both before and after the glowup! Namalata and his team had a 2–3 week lead time to sketch, source references, and plan outfits across various contexts—from indoor to holiday fashion. “It was comprehensive, it became a brand bible for the styling team to follow throughout the season,” he recalled.

Being part of the creative industry, inspiration was limitless—watching all forms of entertainment, museum exhibits, other stylists’ works, and even real-life people. “​​I also would have to give credit to the show writers as to how rich each character’s journey was written, so it made it easier to visualize how they would dress up and present themselves,” Namalata expressed.

First-World Output

“I’ve heard from a Filipino creative that we hail from a third-world country offering first-world output, and I echo that sentiment,” the creative consultant admitted.

Working as a creative in the Philippines comes with several challenges, and he’s well aware of them all. “Despite the limitations and constraints, we are still very resourceful and unwavering in making sure the visuals make sense and are truthful to the story,” he added.

Namalata emphasized that inspiration can be found anywhere—whether by looking inward, traveling, or breaking creative conventions, as long as you stay true to your story. “Each of us has unique circumstances, and once we learn to present them in a way that the market understands, ultimately, that is where success lies,” he explained. 

For Namalata, each ensemble goes beyond surface styling—it’s essential to character, context, and conflict. Through his vision, Beauty Empire’s story is stitched with soul—and that is just as vital as the script.

Featured Image and Photos: VIU PHILIPPINES (via Instagram), LORENZ NAMALATA, CREAZION STUDIOS