Bacolod entrepreneur and philanthropist Pia Marie Yanson made a striking international appearance as she attended the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2027 runway show in New York City — and she did not come to blend in.
Dressed in a refined yet daring ensemble that married old-money elegance with downtown edge, Yanson commanded attention as she posed against the gilded grandeur of one of Manhattan’s most iconic venues. Layering a structured peplum top beneath a dramatic fur-trimmed jacket, she accessorized with a statement pearl-and-crystal choker, chandelier drop earrings, and a Louis Vuitton monogram bag — a sartorial moment as deliberate as it was effortless.
The show itself was nothing short of spectacular. Held on May 20 inside the recently renovated Frick Collection on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the presentation marked the first time the museum’s first-floor galleries were activated for a fashion show. Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière anchored the Cruise 2027 collection around the theme of dichotomies — Paris and New York, uptown and downtown, heritage and street — with the late Keith Haring’s graffiti-style artwork threaded throughout: on bags, on Pop Art dresses, and on a lineup of playful accessories including mini suitcases and purses shaped like takeout containers and vinyl records. The event also launched a three-year cultural sponsorship between Louis Vuitton and the Frick Collection.
Yanson was the only guest from the Philippines hosted by Louis Vuitton for the occasion — a distinction that underscores the French luxury house’s recognition of her standing on the international stage. She joined an unmistakable roster of A-listers that included Louis Vuitton brand ambassadors Alicia Vikander, Emma Stone, and Cate Blanchett. Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Chloë Sevigny rounded out the Hollywood presence, while rising stars Hannah Einbinder and Chase Infiniti added a new-generation edge to the evening’s guest list. The most-watched arrival of the night was Zendaya — who wore an off-the-shoulder draped gray mini dress and matching pumps, her much-talked-about wedding ring peeking beneath her bell sleeves.
For Yanson, the New York appearance comes just months after her own star turn on the international stage. Last January 31, the Bacolod-based businesswoman was honored in Dubai at The Global Filipino Star Icon Awards — a prestigious ceremony held at Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai — where she received the Iconic Filipina in Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy Award. The event gathered distinguished Filipino leaders, icons, and changemakers from across the globe, with fellow honorees including veteran journalist Atom Araullo, designer Renee Salud, and social media trailblazer Zeinab Harake.
