GMA Gala 2023’s best-dressed celebrities

(From left) Heart Evangelista, Gabbi Garcia, Michelle Dee, Kylie Padilla.

GMA Gala 2023 was nothing short of spectacular as the network’s biggest and rising celebrities donned their most lavish gowns at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City last Saturday, July 22.

The star-studded event was an extravagant display of GMA’s stars, where they showed off their own interpretation of the theme “elegant formal” in glamorous gowns, dapper suits, and striking accessories.

Here are some of the standout looks of the night.

1. Heart Evangelista

Heart Evangelista. Image: Edward Berthelot via Instagram/@iamhearte

There was no doubt that Heart Evangelista would be the Star of the Night in her daring, custom-made Maison Schiaparelli gown. Staying true to couture house’s avant-garde identity, her gown was a sight to behold with its signature breast details and paillettes, down to its abstract-like bodice. While the biggest challenge for anyone donning this Italian brand is getting lost in its designs, the actress-socialite didn’t hesitate to go bold with her accessories and styling.

Heart Evangelista. Image: Edward Berthelot via Instagram/@iamhearte

Another pièce de résistance was the coveted Bvlgari Serpenti Viper necklace — which added a unique flair to the adventurous look. Evangelista is known for donning the most sophisticated items from high-fashion brands, but her look is one of the many reasons why she’s one of the rare celebrities who understands couture down to the tee.

2. Kylie Padilla

Kylie Padilla. Image: JP Yu via Instagram/@kylienicolepadilla

Kylie Padilla. Image: JP Yu via Instagram/@kylienicolepadilla

Kylie Padilla proved why she’s one of the network’s most captivating bombshells in her gray and silver gown by Ehrran Montoya. The custom dress, which is meant to be an ode to her “Encantadia” character Sang’gre Amihan, features a dramatic off-shoulder piece with pleats, and an intricate pattern where the fabric and beads intertwined into a wavy pattern down to its bodice.

3. Roxie Smith

Roxie Smith. Image: Jeff A. Sto. Tomas via Instagram/@roxieebae

Roxie Smith. Image: Jeff A. Sto. Tomas via Instagram/@roxieebae

The rising Kapuso star was the epitome of old-Hollywood glamor in her dramatic, hand-embroidered black ballgown by Rian Fernandez, which is paired with see-through gloves. The actress-model looked like a star straight out of Hollywood in the ’50s that saw the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly overtake world fashion. Smith finished off her look with black drop earrings and a black beaded choker.

4. Marian Rivera

Marian Rivera. Image: Instagram/@marianrivera

Marian Rivera. Image: Instagram/@marianrivera

One needs to have a certain type of aura to pull off such a classic white gown with such grace, which is something that Marian Rivera does so effortlessly well. The actress was a breathtaking sight in her white Danielle Frankel gown with a sweetheart neckline, plissé fabric, and a tulle cape with small lace flowers embroidered on its train. With her lithe frame and ethereal beauty, the Kapuso Primetime Queen was able to pull off the look.

5. Michelle Dee

Michelle Dee. Image: Rap Yu via Instagram/@michelledee

Michelle Dee. Image: Rap Yu via Instagram/@michelledee

Michelle Dee proved that she is indeed the rightful queen to wear the La Mer en Majesté crown, as she donned a gold Mark Bumgarner gown that is reminiscent of its elegance and power. The adventurous gown can be seen as a tribute to the beauty queen’s commanding aura, as the corseted bodice was accentuated with a dramatic, beaded shrug and figure-hugging skirt with a high slit on her right thigh.

6. Sofia Pablo

Sofia Pablo. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@sofiapablo

Sofia Pablo. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@sofiapablo

Another Kapuso star who gave her own glamorous twist to the gala theme is Sofia Pablo, as she wore a pink mermaid-inspired gown by AJ Javier. Defying an unwritten rule about avoiding pastel and muted colors during red carpet events, the actress’ look was a winner as the color complimented her skin tone. The gown, which is meant to look like a “blooming” sight, is adorned with an orchid-inspired cape and freshwater pearls, and is finished with silver accessories and a simple bun.

7. Rhian Ramos

Rhian Ramos. Image: Instagram/@whianwamos

Rhian Ramos with partner Sam Verzosa. Image: Instagram/@niceprintphoto

Black is a color that’s overused — with those having the skintone and unique fashion twist being the mere exception, and Rhian Ramos passed the test with flying colors. Often known for her “elevated classic” looks, the actress was the definition of subtly sexy in her black tube gown with an asymmetrical detail, strategic cut-outs, and a see-through corset on the bodice.

8. Kyline Alcantara

Kyline Alcantara. Image: Instagram/@itskylinealcantara

Kyline Alcantara. Image: Instagram/@itskylinealcantara

Kyline Alcantara’s fierce aura and sensual, adventurous Jacquemus gown are a match made in fashion heaven. The gown, with its peplum waistline, unique sweetheart neckline, and a mermaid outline, hugs the Kapuso actress’ curves, as if it is her coming-of-age look. She finished the look with an upswept hair with soft wisps framing her face.

9. Barbie Forteza

Barbie Forteza. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@barbaraforteza

Barbie Forteza. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@barbaraforteza

It’s hard to shake off Barbie Forteza’s ingenue essence, that is why it was a good call to tap into her innocent and feminine appeal to accentuate her looks. For this year’s gala night, she wore a custom cyan blue ballgown by Ehrran Montoya. The designer, who’s known for adding wave-like patterns, made the gown sophisticated with its halter neck design and deep V along the sides of the torso down to her waist.

10. Gabbi Garcia

Gabbi Garcia. Image: Artu Nepomuceno via Instagram/@gabbi

Gabbi Garcia. Image: Dookie Ducay via Instagram/@gabbi

Channeling her inner “siren fantasy,” Gabbi Garcia looked drop-dead gorgeous in her gold Martin Bautista creation, which is an ode to the half-woman Greek mythology creatures known for their innate seduction. Nude gowns are overdone on fashion events and the red carpet, but the actress’ dress, with its tiered fringe skirt, beaded mesh overlay, and nude bandeau proved that you can add something new to an overused trend — and look like a complete standout.

11. Sanya Lopez

Sanya Lopez. Image from Instagram

Sanya Lopez. Image from Instagram

Sanya Lopez looked like a golden goddess in a gleaming serpentina gown with a balloon hem created by Michael Leyva with its simple intricate draping that hugged her voluptuous figure in the right places. For this look, Lopez let her long wavy hair down, further giving her a siren vibe.

12. Julie Anne San Jose

Julie Anne San Jose. Image from Instagram

“Asia’s Limitless Star” Julia Anne San Jose went for the classic look in a jewel-toned Mak Tumang night gown, embellished with sequins and beads. The body-hugging design showed off the singer-actress’ glass-hour figure, accentuated by soft tulle sleeves of the same color and a thigh-high slit.

13. Pia Arcangel

Pia Arcangel

The TV journalist’s angelic looks aside, Pia Arcangel was a sight to behold as she went for a simple off-shoulder satin gown by Martin Bautista, with its A-line skirt and ribbon belt in monochromatic pink. Arcangel’s pixie-cut hair gives a playful vibe to her look, along with her smiling demeanor. EDV

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