Heart Evangelista started painting bags because of ‘fries and cheese’

Heart Evangelista was eating at a restaurant when her Hermes bag got accidentally stained by French fries and cheese dip.

“It got stuck at the bottom part of my bag. The stain was so big. I felt so bad!”

Although the brand of her bag has a care and repair service, the waiting time takes months. Some customers even claimed that some stores in Asia are not that accommodating.

But the Kapuso actress eventually found a way to conceal the oil-and-cheese stain on her luxury bag, thanks to her innate love for art.

“I saw Kim Kardashian. She was wearing a painted Birkin bag and it was auctioned. That’s an amazing way to cover up a stain."

"So I researched and it took some time before I got the right paint—I’ll never reveal [what it is]—that it would actually be okay."

Heart, however, never imagined that such incident would expand her horizons as an artist.

This Tuesday, August 16, Heart officially announced that she will be staging an exhibit titled "Carry Your Heart," which will put a spotlight on her bag paintings.

“I wanted to be original. I wanted to wear my personality on my bag. Your bag says so much about your personality so I might as well put stamp on it,” she beamed.

To date, she’s not only an actress but also a painter, a published author, and a style icon with her own line of hand-painted bags and lippies.

Asked about her ability to constantly reinvent herself, Heart told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that it wasn’t intentional at all.

She explained: “Honestly, it wasn’t on purpose. I think sometimes when you’re are an artista, when they pressure you [and you are told] that you have to show more skin, act a certain way, you can’t have a boyfriend…"

“I broke all the rules. I’ve done all the wrong things. And I [didn’t] give in to that pressure."

“I’ve always been what-you-see-is-what-you-get type of person. And I think it worked to my advantage. This is who I am. Hindi ako nagpa-pressure sa ‘change image.’"

“And somewhere along the way, I was just very comfortable with myself. It showed and people appreciated that.” — PEP

For the full story, visit PEP.