Heart Evangelista explains why she won’t buy fake designer items

Heart Evangelista may be known for her enviable collection of luxury fashion, but for the international fashion personality, style should never be measured by the price tag or brand name of what a person wears.

Heart found herself answering a tricky question during GMA’s The People Have Spoken: Would she ever buy fake designer bags or shoes?

Before giving her answer, Heart explained why luxury pieces have become part of her wardrobe and career. With fashion playing a major role in her professional life, she said purchasing designer items is also connected to how she earns a living.

“Parang kailangan ko ata mag-class 101 tungkol dito. Kasi ito ’yung trabaho ko, e. Dito ako kumikita,” Heart said.

She also made it clear that there is nothing wrong with buying expensive things as long as a person can genuinely afford them.

“Hindi masama na bumili ng mahal kung afford mo,” she added.

But Heart had equally strong advice for those who might feel pressured to spend beyond their means simply to project a certain image.

“Pero kung hindi mo afford, huwag kang bumili nun because it does not dictate your social status,” she stressed.

Heart also acknowledged that her own wardrobe is not exclusively composed of luxury labels. She enjoys mixing pieces from different price points and believes personal style ultimately comes down to knowing how to put an outfit together.

“Sasabihin ko naman din na plastic ako kung sasabihin kong hindi ako bumibili. Pero ako, high-end, low-end ako. I know how to make fashion work even if it’s not expensive,” she said.

When it came to the original question of whether she would purchase counterfeit designer merchandise, however, Heart’s answer was clear: no.

Her response also carried a broader message about fashion and spending. For Heart, owning an expensive label should never become a requirement for proving one’s status. Whether an outfit comes from a luxury fashion house or a more affordable source, what ultimately matters is making fashion work without pretending to live beyond one’s means.