Inside The Intimate Dinner Party Celebrating Heart Evangelista As Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore’s Guest Editor
Hosted by dearGENTLEFOLK and held at Bar Somma, it was a night to remember.
By Larissa Wong - published
It was an evening defined by style, creativity and love for all things fashion, celebrating the July 2025 issue of Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore and its first-ever guest editor and cover star, Heart Evangelista.
Related article: Heart Evangelista Is Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore’s July 2025 Cover Star And Guest Editor
The dinner was held at Bar Somma.
Hosted by dearGENTLEFOLK, the night’s festivities took place at Bar Somma, the buzzy modern Italian bar helmed by Puglian Chef Mirko Febbrile located in popular lifestyle destination New Bahru.
Luscious florals from Lilac Summers and tantalising bites from Bar Somma.
Abundant bunches of pink florals, including wild roses, peonies and hydrangeas, decorated the space. Their lush and vibrant beauty, thoughtfully arranged by florist Lilac Summers, added a touch of romance to the atmosphere. Framed photographs from the cover shoot were also artfully displayed around the room, allowing guests to admire the images from the milestone issue.
Michael Leyva, Heart Evangelista and Kenneth Goh
Evangelista made her fabulous entrance in a custom gold bow-adorned dress by Filipino designer Michael Leyva, who also flew in for the event, and a necklace by Tiffany & Co. Leyva was the mastermind behind the show-stopping gown Evangelista wore on the cover, alongside high jewellery from Tiffany & Co.
From left to right: Lullaboy, Krison Sum, Heart Evangelista, Bessie Ye, Chi Loyzaga Gibbs, Anton Cruz and Windy Aulia
From left to right: Kitch Lum, Susanna Kang, Heart Evangelista, Amber Lee, Grace Chng, Pek Lay Peng and Carmen Ow
The guestlist for the night was made up of influential figures from various industries, including Lau Tse Ling, director at Charles & Keith; Bessie Ye, founder of RYE; and Carmen Ow, founder of WYNOW. Local creatives who have graced the pages of BAZAAR Singapore were also in attendance, including singer-songwriter Lullaboy, Krison Sum, and Anton Cruz, who was accompanied by his wife, Chi Loyzaga Gibbs.
Related article: Inside The Making Of Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore’s July 2025 Issue With Heart Evangelista
The night kicked off with a welcome speech from dearGENTLEFOLK’s Tay Liam Sze, followed by a screening of a behind-the-scenes video that gave guests a look into the making of the July issue, as told by Heart and Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore Editor-in-Chief Kenneth Goh.
Guests then proceeded to tuck into the meticulously curated menu for the night, which included a refreshing stracciatella and tomato salad, a delicate yellowtail amberjack crudo with pine nut milk, a comforting gremelli pasta with white ragu, and a caramel flan to end off on a sweet note.
These were accompanied by three cocktails specially created for the occasion: Heart, a sweet concoction worthy of its namesake featuring tequila, apple brandy, pomegranate shrub, and citrus and decorated with a cute heart motif; Ciccone, made of oregano-infused Patron Blanco, Acqua di Cedro, lemon, absinthe, vermouth bianco, and served in a quirky corset bust; and Margarita for Mel, a zesty mix of coconut-infused Código 1530 Blanco tequila, Crème de Cacao and lime cordial.
In his speech, Goh expressed that Evangelista was the perfect choice to be the first guest editor to shape an entire issue of Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore. He emphasised that she embraced the role like a true BAZAAR woman, that “what she brought wasn’t just influence—it was instinct. It was taste. It was editorial.”
Heart Evangelista addresses the guests.
Related article: A Fashionable Life: Inside The Dream Home That Heart Evangelista Built
Evangelista then addressed the guests, expressing her gratitude for their attendance and sharing her experience as the guest editor. She described the occasion as a full-circle moment, reflecting on her childhood interest in fashion and her love of playing dress-up as a child. Heart concluded her speech by thanking the BAZAAR team, recognising each member by name for their contributions.
The event, intimate as it was, ended on an energetic and high-spirited note, abuzz with thoughtful conversation and company. Guests left the event not just with an exclusive goodie bag, which included the July 2025 issue and a scented candle from COS, but also with their hearts and bellies full from a night of inspiration and conversation.