Filipino American designer Maria Victoria Mejia will unveil a new collection with Vietnamese couturier Tommy Tuong Le at “Cufflinks & Pearls: The Art of Adornment.” The charity gala and couture show takes place Aug. 29 at The Preserve LA.
The evening pairs Le’s structured, heritage-inspired gowns with Mejia’s handcrafted mother-of-pearl and shell accessories. The collaboration brings together Filipino and Vietnamese design traditions in a rare joint showcase. Proceeds will benefit the Mekdela Global Outreach Foundation, organizers said.
Mejia founded and leads the luxury accessory label Viktorya Minaudière. She crafts sculptural clutches and minaudières from brown lip shell, cracked cabebe shell and mother-of-pearl. Filipino artisans hand-produce each piece through partnerships she has built over years. Her work has appeared on the Golden Globes website and in Los Angeles Fashion Week showcases.
Le splits his design practice between Garden Grove, California, and Vietnam. He built his reputation on áo dài collections and custom bridal gowns that fuse traditional Vietnamese silhouettes with international couture techniques. He also holds influence in the beauty pageant world. Le serves as pageant director for Miss Asia San Diego and mentors titleholders competing in Miss Grand USA and Miss Asia USA.
For “Cufflinks & Pearls,” Mejia will present pieces built around her “Heirloom Confidence” concept. The collection pairs Le’s couture silhouettes with jewelry and accessories that Filipino artisans handcraft. Pearls, mother-of-pearl and precious metals unify both designers’ work throughout the show.
“There are moments when fashion becomes more than what we wear – it becomes art, storytelling and legacy,” Mejia said. “Together with Tommy Tuong Le, we have united our creative visions to present a collection where every silhouette is meticulously designed to showcase sophistication, and every jewel is thoughtfully created to illuminate the beauty and confidence of the wearer.”
Le describes the gala as a celebration of “the artistry of high jewelry” and couture craftsmanship. He frames the event as a showcase for cultural heritage and philanthropic purpose.
Mejia earned a 2023 Fashion & Style award at The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA) in Los Angeles. Amaré Magazine also recognized her as a “Hero of Change.”
The Preserve LA hosts the gala at its venue on North Saint Andrews Place in Los Angeles, a space known for upscale weddings and galas.
