CHARLENE GONZALEZ has a new beauty directive: to help women find the perfect fit for their body type. The most unforgettable Binibining Pilipinas recently bowed out as the larger-than-life image of the mammoth SM Supermalls to take on a more discreet endorsement as the figure of ForMe.

‘I’m proud to say that this is the only retail brand in the country that dresses you according to your body type,’ the charming 35-year-old said during her launch at the SM Megamall Atrium.

‘Charlene represents the woman of today: chic, sophisticated, down to earth, with a successful career and a wonderful family life,’ enthused ForMe brand manager Arlyn Guanlao. ‘She really represents ForMe.’

ForMe is one of the rising stars of Golden ABC, which is comprised of Penshoppe, Oxygen, Memo, Regatta and direct-selling Red Logo.

Charlene was already familiar with the brand even before she was tapped to endorse it. ‘I have seen ForMe and its past models [i.e., Judy Ann Santos] and I was amazed by its concept of dressing up different body types. I wanted to check and see, and was surprised that they came to me. I’m honored that the retail powerhouse thought of me to be its endorser.’

And what about SM? ‘SM will always be part of my life. I asked permission from them. This [endorsement) is an added bonus, ‘Charlene explained, adding that her personal style is classic and streamlined, laid-back and comfortable.

Maintaining her whistle-bait figure 15 years after emerging fourthrunner-up in the 1994 Miss Universe pageant and seven years after giving birth to twins Andres and Atasha, Charlene is still every inch a beauty queen. ‘I’m an hourglass,’ she said, revealing the obvious.

‘Filipino women come in four body types,’ the 5’10’ stunner continued. An hourglass figure has proportioned shoulders and hips and a well-defined waist. An inverted triangle has broad shoulders but narrow hips. A rectangle is straight from top to bottom. A triangle has wide hips and narrow shoulders.

At the launch, Charlene wore a mid length black number with crisscrossing details on the neckline, paired with camel-toned Tory Burch heels. ‘I do have inputs in some of ForMe’s designs, like this one I’m wearing. They asked me if they can make it for the store. I said sure, I don’t mind sharing,’ she said with all the charm in the world.

‘If you’re comfortable with your weight, that’s the most important thing. But there are more expectations to be fit when you’re a mom. When I became one, I became more conscious of my weight,’ the svelte wife of the country’s foremost matinee idol Aga Muhlach shared. ‘Aga doesn’t pressure me to be super-payat. I’m very lucky my partner is very supportive of the body type that I maint,ain. I’m very fortunate he’s open to that.’

With a figure like Charlene’s, made more womanly and ladylike by ForMe, there’s no reason to worry that a man will walk away.