Heart Evangelista is once again in Paris and is serving nothing but show-stopping OOTD after another. While international fashion houses are dressing her as she attends all the Fashion Week festivities, the fashion icon is still championing Filipino culture by wearing local designs.
Among the pieces she wore is a modern terno dress by Filipino designer Cheetah Rivera. The dress, which is part of her “Pizza Party” collection, features floral appliqués and is adorned with embroidered mariposa butterflies of varying shades. “My kind of Filipiniana,” as the Vogue 100 muse described, the dress is not just beautiful and truly Filipino, but also full of fantasy.
But did you know that the dress also pays homage to the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago? Through an Instagram post, the designer revealed that the name of the piece is “Santiago,” adding that it is a “tribute and a celebration of the strength of a Filipina.”
Miriam is like the second mother to Heart, and responsible for introducing her to her now-husband Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. In 2020, she even penned a letter to her “mentor” and angel” to commemorate her 75th birth anniversary. In an interview with dermatologist Aivee Teo, she expressed more about why she loved the late political leader.
“Honestly, she's like a queen, 'cause whenever she walked in a room, everyone would stand up. Iba! Parang she came from an old world—an old soul,” she said. “She was so protective over me. In fact, she only allowed me to get married if I got a prenup.”
That terno dress is truly a special tribute to Miriam.
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