Metro Fascinating Women 2025: Model, Actress, and SOLÁ Founder Kylie Verzosa

When Kylie Verzosa was crowned Miss International in 2016, her journey was only just beginning—in fashion and all her other endeavors.

During her time as the titleholder, the Baguio-born beauty queen traversed various seas, exploring diverse cultures just as her Miss International duties entailed. “Visiting these countries has made me embark on a cultural journey where diversity and difference are not to be regarded as barriers but as resources and opportunities for international understanding,” she reflected during her farewell speech in 2017.

True enough, nearly a decade since her crowning moment, Kylie continues to surpass those barriers. 

Photographed by BJ Pascual, courtesy of Kylie Verzosa

Nine years, sixteen movies, and one fashion brand later, Kylie’s career has evolved into a balancing act of all sorts of ventures, forming her into a woman one may consider a “multi-hyphenate”. Taking on her “Miss International” title in a new light, she continues to wave the Philippine flag wherever she may be—whether she’s winning a best actress award in Dubai, making a red carpet appearance in Cannes or in Fashion Week, or leading a Filipina-owned brand in Manila. 

Today, Kylie is as much a beauty queen as she is an actress, an advocate, and an entrepreneur.

Last year, she launched SOLÁ, a shapewear brand. But the label isn’t just about fashion, rather it is Kylie’s tangible contribution towards her advocacy of body positivity, dedicated to making women “feel confident, beautiful, and empowered”, as she, herself, puts it. A proud owner of a Filipina-led business, you’ll often find Kylie at the next brand event, sporting a SOLÁ piece or two. 

Photo courtesy of Kylie Verzosa

Kylie’s career didn’t end after her tenure as Miss International. Instead, she has used her platform as a springboard to pursuing her passions and advocacies, bringing to life various projects such as Mental Health Matters, an organization she began shortly after the pageantry in 2016. With all that she has pursued, she embodies what it means to be a woman who puts her purpose into practice.

Whether you know her as a beauty queen, an actress, or the founder of SOLÁ, there is no doubt that Kylie has made quite the name for herself through the many milestones she has managed to achieve year after year. From one woman to another, she lives by her motto: “Everything I do is connected by the desire to help people feel seen, valued, and uplifted.”

In celebration of Women’s Month, Metro.Style catches up with Kylie, tackling everything from SOLÁ to life in showbizness and her advocacies.

Photo Courtesy of Kylie Verzosa

Metro.Style: You balance a career between entertainment and business—what have you been up to and what has been keeping you inspired lately?

Kylie Verzosa: Lately, I’ve been deeply focused on growing SOLÁ while continuing my work in film and entertainment. I’m also preparing to film some movies this year, Cannes and some projects abroad, which is an exciting milestone for me. What keeps me inspired is seeing how women resonate with the work I do—whether it’s through storytelling on screen, advocating for mental health, or empowering them through SOLÁ.

MS: How do you handle the challenges of being in the public eye while also growing a business that’s deeply personal to you?

KV: It’s a balancing act. I’ve learned to prioritize tasks, make sure to allot some time for friends and family, protect my energy, set boundaries, and focus on things that make me happy. I also really believe in having a great team and surrounding yourself with the right people—it allows me to navigate both worlds without losing sight of why I started in the first place. I also put more structure in place this year so workflows are better.

Photo Courtesy of Kylie Verzosa

MS: Last year, you launched SOLÁ. What inspired you to start the brand and venture into business?

KV: I wanted to create a brand that makes women feel confident, beautiful, and empowered, and that you are enough in your own skin. I’ve always been passionate about self-care, and SOLÁ was born out of that love for beauty and my love for fashion. I also wanted to build something that reflects my personality—something fun, feminine, a brand that celebrates individuality in every body, and self-care.

MS: When designing for women, what elements do you always keep in mind to make them feel their best?

KV: At core, I want women to feel good in their own bodies. Everything at SOLÁ is made with women in mind—from the design, fit, and we wanted it to flatter universally to all sizes and even the experience of using the product. I want our products to be of the best quality and affordable at the same time, something that makes women feel good inside and out.

MS: Looking ahead, what is your vision for SOLÁ and how do you want it to evolve in the next few years, especially in promoting body positivity for women?

KV: My vision for SOLÁ is to become a global brand that provides high-quality products but also fosters a strong, supportive community of women. I want it to be a brand that is proud to be a Filipino-made brand, and something that stands for confidence and empowerment, encouraging women to embrace their uniqueness.

Photo courtesy of Kylie Verzosa

MS: You also established your own organization. What inspired you to start Mental Health Matters, and why is this advocacy important to you?

KV: Mental health is something very personal to me. I’ve been open about my struggles with depression and anxiety, and I know how important it is to have a safe space and access to help. Mental Health Matters was created to raise awareness, fight the stigma, and provide support to those who need it. I want people to know they’re not alone and that seeking help is a sign of strength.

MS: How has your advocacy work influenced your other projects, including SOLÁ and your career in entertainment?

KV: My advocacy has shaped how I approach everything I do. It’s influenced my work in film by pushing me to take on roles that tell meaningful stories. With SOLÁ, it’s embedded in the brand’s message of self-care, confidence, and empowerment. Everything I do is connected by the desire to help people feel seen, valued, and uplifted.

MS: If you could redefine beauty and femininity through fashion in the next decade, what would that look like?

KV: Beauty and femininity should be about freedom of expression. I envision a future where there’s no single standard of beauty—where women feel empowered to embrace their own self whether that’s through bold fashion choices, minimalism, or anything in between. It’s about being authentic.

MS: Based on your experiences, what makes a fascinating woman? Who are the women that inspire you these days?

KV: A fascinating woman is bold, brave, kind, and unapologetic in her authenticity. I’m inspired by women who break barriers, who use their voices to uplift others. Women like Emma Gerede, someone who balances being a mother, businesswoman and isn’t ashamed of the struggles and sacrifices of doing both.

MS: Lastly, what is one meaningful way you’re celebrating women this Women’s Month?

KV: This month I want to highlight and support women-led businesses, share their stories and their struggles. I'm proud to say that SOLÁ is a woman-led company, and we make sure to foster creativity and community in the workplace. I want women to know and share the difficulties of going through life and business and juggling everything all together, and how wellness and taking care of yourself is so essential to your mental well-being and continue doing this through SOLÁ, my advocacy or my work in film, and hopefully uplift in every way I can.

Photos courtesy of Kylie Verzosa