Trip Entourage — Trip entourage at Malacañan Palace.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Elsa Jeandedieu recently joined an exclusive cultural journey to Manila, marking a profound exploration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the living memory of the Philippines. Invited by the renowned luxury house de Gournay, Elsa participated in the unveiling of Latina Manila, a masterful 20-panel hand-painted panoramic wallpaper created in collaboration with designer Jonathan Matti.

The three-day immersive program served as a tribute to the richness of Filipino culture, weaving together historical motifs with contemporary expression. For Elsa, whose Hong Kong-based practice is centered on the sensory experience of "Oscillation" and the tactile soul of mineral plaster, the event was a powerful reminder of the universal language of the artisan.

A Royal Homecoming

The centerpiece of the journey was an intimate formal dinner at Malacañan Palace, hosted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos. Set within the historic Kalayaan Hall, the evening celebrated the installation of Latina Manila—a work that blurs the lines between interior decoration and fine art.

The wallpaper does more than decorate; it resurrects the 19th-century spirit of the Pasig River, mirroring the timeless flow of the water just outside the palace walls. It is a true cultural reclamation.

From Palace Walls to Artisan Hands

Beyond the palace gates, the journey, curated by Liza Consing Lopez and Lani Bernhard of Classical Excursions, led Elsa into the heart of Filipino creation. A series of visits to local craft factories offered a rare look at the traditional techniques that define the region’s creative legacy.

For Elsa, these encounters with local masters provided a moment of creative resonance. “This trip was a profound immersion into the soul of Manila,” Elsa reflects. “Between meeting the First Lady and connecting with local artisans, I am returning to the studio with a heart full of new patterns and a renewed spirit of possibility. It is a reminder that whether in Paris, Hong Kong, or Manila, the dialogue of the hand and the heart remains unchanged.”

About Elsa Jeandedieu Studio Based in Hong Kong, Elsa Jeandedieu Studio specializes in bespoke texture artworks, murals, and interior wall treatments. Utilizing her signature "Oscillation" technique and mineral plasters, Elsa harmonizes high-end luxury with organic warmth, creating immersive environments for global icons such as CHANEL, Louis Vuitton, and the Four Seasons.

Latina Manila unveiling at Malacañan Palace

A Royal Homecoming

From Palace Walls to Artisan Hands