Philippines’ style maven gives the public an intimate peek into her world
Heart Evangelista’s rise as a fashion icon has put the Philippines on the international fashion map. Her attendance at global fashion weeks makes her a recognizable face among A-list celebrities worldwide.
For nearly a decade, she’s represented the Philippines at the front row of major fashion shows, from Paris to Milan and New York, proving that she’s more than just a guest but a fixture.
Heart’s journey showcases hard work, authenticity, and dedication to her craft as she cemented her unique status as a “trailblazer,” a title she has earned from consistent presence and impact.
“It’s for us Filipinos to be on the global map of fashion,” she told Manila Standard Life after her stint at Paris Fashion Week, where she generated a media impact value of $10.6 million, the top figure in the Asia Pacific region this season. “It says a lot about us deserving of all the luxury and the international attention.”
Heart began attending fashion weeks as press, often working behind the scenes in interviews or content creation for magazines, a role that she worked hard to elevate.
“I took the hard route,” she noted, emphasizing her determination to break into an industry that’s challenging even for global celebrities. Today, she holds front-row seats at some of the world’s top fashion houses—Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Versace, among others.
Her ascent in the fashion world wasn’t without challenges, yet she’s clear that every experience has been crucial to her development as a global ambassador of Filipino style.
Her journey took a significant turn in 2018, when Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan invited her to be part of Harper’s Bazaar’s feature on “The Real Crazy Rich Asians,” spotlighting “Asian style icons shaking up the world of couture.”
This invitation marked her transformation from a local star to an international presence, solidifying her place among the icons of Asian fashion. Since then, she’s been a constant presence at shows for designers like Fendi, Gucci, Balmain, and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few.
But with fame comes pressure. Heart admits to feeling the weight of being labeled a “global fashion icon,” noting that in fashion, visibility often equals ratings and figures.
“I’m very flattered but at the same time very pressured,” she shared. “Generating those numbers is bittersweet for me. I don’t want to have a timeframe, I just want to be here,” she added, expressing her desire to remain relevant without succumbing to the transient nature of fame. She conveyed her intent to enjoy the journey without obsessing over figures or competition.
“I try not to think about who did great or who generated more buzz,” she said. “I just want to keep going, to keep enjoying the experience.”
Heart’s approach to her fashion content is deliberate and personal. “I’m very hands-on with my content,” she said, mentioning that she takes breaks to ensure authenticity in her work.
“When nothing is flowing, I don’t push it. It’s who I am, so I just have to wait because it will naturally come,” she explained.
This authenticity resonates with her audience, who appreciate the sincerity behind her posts.
“As long as you’re authentic to yourself and to what you do, you’re never going to run out of outfits to wear because there’s always something organic about your day,” she emphasized.
In a bid to give fans an even closer look into her life, Heart recently launched her reality series, Heart World, on GMA Network, produced in collaboration with the network.
“It’s the first time that we’re collaborating with Heart not as one of our prized talents but as a producer of the show,” GMA’s Attorney Annette Gozon-Valdes said during the press conference for the reality show.
This feel-good series showcases the woman behind the style icon, offering personal storytelling, behind-the-scenes glimpses from fashion week, and scenes from her private life in Manila. Each episode will capture her creative journey, from interactions with family and friends to her artistic endeavors.
“Heart World is about sharing who I am beyond the runway,” she explained.
For Heart, this series is not just a showcase of her style but a personal narrative of resilience and creativity. With segments from her international adventures, interviews with fellow artists, and glimpses into her creative process, she hopes the show will offer viewers a more nuanced view of her life. In one episode, she even delves into past challenges, sharing personal realizations from her years in the spotlight.
Her show aims to celebrate not just her journey but the broader theme of authenticity in an image-driven world.
“It’s not about a made-up character or storylines,” she shared, emphasizing her desire for a genuine connection with her fans.
Heart World, in Heart’s own words, offers an unfiltered view of her life, including exclusive footage and scenes from her apartment in Paris, and aims to present a holistic picture of her career and personal growth.
Premiering tonight at 9:30 on GMA Network and available on GMA Pinoy TV for international viewers, Heart World promises an intimate glimpse into Heart’s unfiltered world.
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