Are there awards for consistently dressing like a divine revelation? If not, Heart Evangelista may have just invented the category. At the EMI Gala 2025, she was named Global Fashion Influencer of the Year—an honor that arrived not with a single look, but a full-blown narrative told through the creations of two designers who have become synonymous with Filipino excellence: Michael Cinco and Michael Leyva.
RELATED: Who Wore What at Coachella: Kylie Verzosa, Aon Somrutai, Liza Soberano, and More
The two-day gala was practically a Heart Evangelista style retrospective, featuring one gilded look after another, perfected by Evangelista’s glam team, hair and makeup by Ghil Sayo, and styled by Iza Sim. Day one saw her breezing into the opening ceremony in a Michael Cinco embellished cropped jacket and liquid-gold pants—a pairing that somehow made opulence feel street-smart. The jacket, embroidered like stained glass and gleaming at every angle, sat high on the neck and higher on the drama scale. Paired with metallic trousers and a knot clutch from Bottega Veneta, it was fashion diplomacy with sparkle as its native tongue.
Panel discussions followed, where Heart spoke with her usual mix of candor and cool. “A few, quality followers are enough. You’re not here to win everybody,” she said to a roomful of creatives. “You’re here to be yourself—and whoever enjoys the ride, that’s good enough.”
On the second night, she returned to Cinco for a molten, floor-length gold gown that clung, shimmered, and fully leaned into the city’s gilded glamour. “I wanted this beautiful gold number,” she said, nodding cheekily to Dubai and Cinco. “It made sense.”
At the awards ceremony itself, Evangelista accepted her title in yet another Michael—Michael Leyva, this time. The dress: a skin-skimming, crystal-dusted column with strategic cutouts and pearls laced along the bodice. A seduction in silhouette, Leyva’s piece was what Evangelista dubbed “an illusion of love”—though nothing about it was illusionary when she took the stage to applause.
Accessories made their mark through Filipino jeweler Janina Dizon’s bow-shaped jewelry, and the Judith Lieber bunny bag—whether named Sofia or Valeria—made an appearance like a loyal talisman. Fashion is a personal mythology, and she dresses like the heroine of her own epic.
“To share the stage with all these magnificent people is overwhelming, and I’m completely honored,” she said, the sparkle of her dress reflecting both the spotlight and sincerity.
Like a scene you replay, frame by frame, from Cinco’s hyper-embellished couture to Leyva’s romantic restraint, Heart Evangelista moved through the gala with influence in her hands. A tale of two Michaels, one fashion icon, and a global audience who’s been happily enjoying the ride.
To learn more about the EMI Gala, visit its website
Photos: HEART EVANGELISTA (via Instagram)
Latest Posts
Latest Issue
