'Crazy Rich' author Kevin Kwan describes Heart Evangelista as the 'darling of the Philippines'

So this is why Heart Evangelista and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author Kevin Kwan hung out in Paris a month ago.

READ: Heart poses for a photo with 'Crazy Rich' author Kevin Kwan, triggers talks about being in the next movie

For a Harper's Bazaar feature he was working on — “Crazy Rich Couture” — Kevin invited the Kapuso actor along with a few Asian fashion influencers like Hong Kong socialite Feiping Chang, Michelle Yeoh and her twin Rachel — for Paris couture week.

The feature included a video in which Kevin, after a preamble, focused on Heart first.

“Heart Evangelista is really the darling of the Philippines,” he begins on the video. “She is one of the most acclaimed actresses and she’s also an artist. She’s had amazing museum shows in the Philippines.”

In the video, Heart narrated how she got into painting bags – Birkin bags of all things.

“I had a lizard skin Birkin and it was orange. I was eating French fries in Chili's and it had cheese and I did not noticed it was under my bag until I got home. I tried to clean it and I asked around but it was impossible to fix. So I said, okay, why don’t I paint on it?"

On the US magazine website, Kevin said Heart "looked like modern-day incarnation of Audrey Hepburn."

Heart hails from a Filipino-Chinese clan that founded the Barrio Fiesta food empire and is married to Francis Joseph “Chiz” Guevara Escudero, a member of the Philippine Senate who was a leading candidate for vice president two years ago. But her illustrious social standing isn’t the only reason the photographers were clicking away: Heart also happens to be one of the most popular actresses in the Philippines. It didn’t hurt that in her round tinted sunglasses and sequined ombré dress, she looked like a modern-day incarnation of Audrey Hepburn. Images of her went viral before the fashion show was even over, with her fans furiously speculating about why she was in Paris and whether she might be in the Crazy Rich Asians film.

On Instagram, Heart said she was "beyond grateful to Kevin and to the entire Harper's team for being such a dream to work with! I’m so incredibly proud of this project and would love for you to see it too!"

 

I woke up to one of the most amazing features in my life! My last trip to Paris was a very special one because not only was I there for couture week but I had been invited by @kevinkwanbooks who has now become a dear friend! He was doing a special ‘Crazy Rich Couture’ feature for Harpers Bazaar US and asked me if I would be interested in being a part of it. I had the honor of being featured alongside some of the most incredible and stylish Asian icons. I am beyond grateful to Kevin and the entire Harpers team for being such a dream to work with! I’m so incredibly proud of this project and would love for you to see it too! Grab the September issue of Harpers Bazaar US or click the link in my bio! ?? @harpersbazaarus

A post shared by Love Marie Ongpauco Escudero (@iamhearte) on

Aug 15, 2018 at 6:38pm PDT

— LA, GMA News