Milan and Paris are waving to the style world this time of year, as runways come alive with Spring and Summer 2026 collections.
One of its regular Filipino attendees—Heart Evangelista—however, announces today, September 23, 2025, via Instagram Live, that she is skipping this season's Fashion Week.
The decision comes amid heightened public scrutiny of political families and their influencer members who flaunt wealth online, with Heart herself caught in conversations linking her lavish lifestyle to the ongoing flood-control corruption scandal.
On the heels of the September 21 protests in Luneta and EDSA against corruption, the Kapuso actress goes on to address her absence from Fashion Week and the chatter surrounding her name.
Read: Heart Evangelista in handpainted Schiaparelli at GMA Gala 2025
Heart on skipping Fashion Week
Heart admits it wasn’t an easy choice.
“I’m sorry for my fans that I’m not going to Fashion Week,” she says, sniffling.
“I know that you guys say ‘laban, laban,’ ganyan-ganyan. I really appreciate you.
“But honestly, I don’t think it’s the right time for anyone to, especially from our country, to be going to Fashion Week because I think we need to be here.
“Not necessarily to be in the rally… but it’s important that we open our eyes, and we truly become one and empathize and really see what’s going on, and see what we can do.”
She clarifies that this is not a permanent break, hinting at a possible return next season.
“And so, I will not be going to Fashion Week. If I’ll be going, maybe, the next season, I think it depends, but I can’t stop working.
“So, aside from not going to Fashion Week, I think I have other important responsibilities.
“I also wanna take this opportunity to say thank you to all the brands that understand and support me for me not going.
“And all the brand also here in the Philippines, thank you so much for just seeing my heart. I really appreciate you.”
It can be recalled that back in S/S 2025 Fashion Week, Heart attended shows for Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chloé, YSL, and Hermès in Paris, and Tod’s, Fendi, and Max Mara in Milan.
Read: Heart Evangelista, Pia Wurtzbach top celebrities at NY, Milan, Paris Fashion Weeks
Not a Traditional Wife
In her livestream, Heart also reflects on her identity beyond being the wife of Senator Chiz Escudero.
She rejects the notion of being a “traditional” spouse who stays idle at home, instead framing work as her lifeline.
“I think some people should actually appreciate that, hindi lang ako nakatambay sa bahay tulad ngayon.
“I feel helpless. I feel helpless na nasa bahay ako, na hindi ako nagtatrabaho. It’s not my nature.
“I’m not the type of wife na nakatanga lang ako sa bahay, at nakikipag-chikahan lang ako sa amiga. No, I’m not. I work.”
She reiterates her independence and refusal to be boxed into stereotypes: “It's my third day to really start standing up and going on with my life because, I cannot be useless.
“I cannot not work. I cannot.I am too independent. I am too strong-willed to just fix the house. It’s not me...
“I've been lying black and blue in my bed from getting hit. But okay, I put myself out there. But, it is my job so, I just need to work. I wanna work.
“I refuse to just be a useless wife at home. No, I will work. I will continue to work.”
Later in the livestream, she echoes the same sentiment, highlighting how deeply intertwined her career is with her sense of self.
To her, work represents a purpose, not just a way to make a living.
“This is my job. This is my lifeline,” she expresses.
“I don’t even think I have a purpose if you are gonna tell me not to work. It keeps me alive.
“I am productive. I am proud. I’m a hard worker, and I’m gonna fight for that.”
Read: Heart Evangelista shows life as a child in throwback photos
Heart to take Legal Actions
While the livestream is anchored on her Fashion Week absence, Heart devotes much of her time to defending her integrity.
She speaks candidly about being dragged into political controversies and vows to fight back.
“Do not come for my integrity when it comes to my work because goddamn it, I worked so hard. I am proud of what I have,” she says.
“I will not take it sitting down—what some people have been saying about me, not even allegedly.
“Everything I do is proper. Everything is well-documented. That’s not my problem actually. It’s the least of my problems.
“I just wanted to come here to air out and tell you how upsetting it is, at ako pa yung naging casualty.
“Ako pa yung naging political tool of entertainment. I will not take that sitting down.”
She stresses that attacks on her professionalism have crossed the line: “Definitely, I will not take it sitting down, if you come for my professional integrity.
“It’s unacceptable. I am livid about that because, kinayod ko ito.
“I feel like nabunutan ako ng malaking tinik because again, we talk about being authentic, and I’m just not the type of person to be quiet and not say anything, or be safe. Hindi ako yun e.”
Heart then reveals her plans to pursue legal remedies.
“I am upset. I am going to take legal actions and I will, again, not take this sitting down. This is my job. This is my lifeline.”
Her anger, she emphasizes, does not come from privilege.
“To my friends who said, 'Wag kang magsalita,' after my live, I think you understand why. That at the end of the day, it is my bread and butter and righteous indignation.
“I wouldn't be this angry if I had it easy. I wouldn't react with actually, so much rage and depre- no, I'm not gonna use that.
“I wouldn't cry or be upset about something I didn't work hard for.
“If I didn’t work hard for it, I’d just probably be vacationing elsewhere and doing what the others are doing, but no. I am upset.”
She closes her live with this parting shot: “For the paid trolls out there, your funds are gonna be running out soon, and I know all of you.
“So, be an influencer, maybe follow me on my Instagram. You’ll learn a lot.
“I’ll try to be more educational about what I do and how I do it.
“This work is unconventional but it’s not just for me, it can be for everyone.”