Heart Evangelista’s Times Square billboard features a bag made by Filipino artisans
“Waking up with my face in Times Square NY is so surreal,” Heart Evangelista posted on Twitter and Instagram Stories.
The billboard on Broadway is for Ia’s Threads, a New York-based brand that’s “sustainable, ethical, and philantrophic-driven.”
Designer and owner Ia Faraoni, a mother and philantrophist, was born and raised in the Philippines. She is the co-founder of Ira's Helping Hands, “a mission trip that provides backpacks and schools supplies to hundreds of children in the Philippines” and holds feeding programs for undernourished children.
Waking up with my face in Time Square NY is so surreal ????♥️? pic.twitter.com/TBMdzJrfe2
— LoveMarie O. Escudero (@heart021485) January 8, 2021
Faraoni wrote on Instagram, “Weekend QUEENING Mood. Recently named as one of the World’s Top Luxury Influencers by Forbes Paris, the ever so gorgeous @iamhearte gracing the digital billboard in Times Square wearing our Panda Minaudière, part of our latest Cruise Collection. What a great way to start the New Year.”
The Panda minaudière was named after Heart’s dog Panda Escudero.
“The design was inspired by Heart's persona—sophisticated and fashion-forward,” according to Ia’s Threads. “With the rich natural color, combined with blue and black combination, this clutch is versatile and can be paired with any outfit for additional fashion fun in your style. Embelished with mother of pearl shell clasp and a removable natural color tassel.”
Ia’s bags are made in Philippine provinces. One bag may take days to hand weave and use thousands of fibers and materials such as mother-of-pearl, seashells, coconut wood and shell, silk, and seed beads.
Kaya natin toh .♥️ pic.twitter.com/veq7b37CeV
— LoveMarie O. Escudero (@heart021485) March 7, 2020