Sleek and modern, Givenchy’s store at The Shoppes in Solaire Resort, Manila opened its doors as it presented its fall-winter 2023 accessories collection. On display were the latest creations of the brand's creative director Matthew M. Williams, which are composed of reimagined classics and contemporary pieces to accent one’s look. For many, it was their first time to see the pieces up close. But for Pia Wurtzbach, coming to the local store of the brand was a retrospective journey of her fun experience at the recent Paris Fashion Week.
“Experiencing Paris Fashion Week and attending Givenchy’s show there was amazing,” the former Miss Universe told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “It helped me learn more about the brand, its inspirations, silhouettes, and style… I’m happy that we have a Givenchy store in the Philippines because we love fashion—we love dressing up.”
Not only did Pia served many style moments as she jumped from one show to another, but her presence in Paris gained so much attention online that she became one of the key social media players from Southeast Asia, including actresses and style icons Heart Evangelista and Anne Curtis. Pia also added another jewel to her crown as she entered the world of literature and produced her debut novel “Queen of the Universe.” In a conversation with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle, the model and actress shared her writing journey, her Paris Fashion Week experience, and what it meant to be seen at such a prestigious fashion event.
The recent Paris Fashion Week was a revelation for the Southeast Asia region. Thai, Singaporean, and Filipino stars were there to witness the shows. How did it feel to be there and be named as one of the top influencers?
Asians play a big role. In the past few years, we have been making our mark outside the Philippines and in the fashion industry. It is so nice to see that there are more and more Southeast Asians that are being seen in fashion weeks, that we get invited to these shows. Number one, it is about representation. It feels good to see Filipinos there, to see other Asians there, the Thai, Singaporeans, and, of course, Koreans. It is nice to know that we can be there.
What were the lessons you learned from writing ‘Queen of the Universe’ and creating the character of Cleo?
I have so much respect for writers. It is not easy. Conceptualizing it was the easy part but putting everything into writing and putting the work in was a challenge. But I find that if you like what you are doing and you love the story, it becomes easier. I find writing a fiction novel easier, because I don't have to base it on real-life scenarios and be very accurate. I can play around with the story and make it as dramatic and fun as I want it to be. I definitely gained a huge respect for all writers out there, especially Filipino writers. I thought maybe because of the boom of social media and the digital world, especially during the pandemic, that there would be less interest in physical books. But it is not. There is a huge community out there that still loves going to bookstores, buying physical books, and trading books with one another. I’m glad to say that it is very much thriving.
What do you wish readers would know after reading the book?
I want people to ask themselves about the meaning of success. Is it winning the crown? ‘Yun lang ba yung winner sa paningin natin (Is that the thing that makes us see who the winner is)? Because we have to remember that more girls don’t make it. In a competition of 80 candidates, only one is announced as the winner. Can we say that the 79 girls who didn't make it are coming back home empty-handed? They become successful when they come back home and work on their careers. They become businesswomen and entrepreneurs, some go into modeling and acting. Some break it into Hollywood and others become politicians, doctors, and lawyers. Title lang ba ang nagpapanalo sa girl (Is it the title the only thing that makes a girl a winner)? I want people to remember that pageants are stepping stones. It is not the end game. It is a platform for bigger things, for the next chapter, not just for the winner but for all. The book is all about redefining what success means.
Hello, readers! Do you have a story you want us to feature? Send us a message on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and X and let’s talk about it.