Living Light: Solenn Heussaff

PHOTOGRAPHY Renzo Navarro

STYLING Yanna Lopez

Few artists embody versatility as seamlessly as Solenn Heussaff. As an actress, she captivated audiences as the enigmatic Cassiopeia in Encantadia. As a creative, she’s making her mark in the art world through deeply personal, thought-provoking work. Solenn’s paintings, often inspired by nature and the passage of time, convey a lightness and effortless beauty that she herself exudes—a happy intersection that often results from a full, unproblematic life.

For Solenn, creativity isn’t confined to one medium. Whether she’s acting, painting, or curating her style, she approaches each with a quiet confidence and a deep understanding of what works for her. Now, Solenn extends her creative expression to fashion, bringing her easy, functional style to her latest collaboration with Uniqlo.

As a longtime fan of the brand, she embraces the versatility of Uniqlo’s AIRism Bra Tops, which are perfect for a life that moves between film sets, art studios, and everyday moments. Her ability to move seamlessly between disciplines reflects a healthy versatility: one that isn’t about doing it all, but about doing what feels right.

It’s the same approach she takes to dressing, favoring pieces like Uniqlo’s AIRism Bra Tops, which offer comfort, ease, and the freedom to focus on what truly matters. Here, she shares how these wardrobe essentials fit into her dynamic routine, her approach to creativity, and the art of dressing with ease.

You’re returning to acting with Encantadia, and you’re a working artist. How do you balance your artistic identity across acting, painting, and even fashion?

In both painting and acting, I always strive to speak my truth. When I commit to a role or a project, I give it my full attention and immerse myself completely. During my previous exhibit with Olivia d’Aboville, I drew inspiration from my plants at home— watching them grow, seeing new leaves emerge every month, and noticing how old ones make way for the new. It made me realize that nature is a reflection of change, vulnerability, and resilience. That perspective influences the way I approach my art. I always seek a deeper understanding of the things I want to highlight, whether through my paintings or my performances.

I consider acting another form of visual art, so for me, it’s not about balancing my public image and artistic identity, but rather about being as authentic and genuine as I can be in my work. I always place great importance on the projects I take on and my passions, giving 100% to everything I do.

What was the most rewarding or surprising part of reprising your role in Encantadia?

Cassiopeia is one of the characters that I really hold close to my heart. It’s nice that the show is coming back 10 years later with the same praises and anticipation from its fans, who have been waiting for this since 2016. It’s also nice because I know that it will be even better because with special effects nowadays. I’m sure GMA is going to give it its all for the fans. Even though I haven’t acted in five years, when I went back on set on Encantadia, it really felt like it was just yesterday that we were shooting it. Seeing the whole cast again and seeing how everyone’s evolved in their own ways was something that was really, really special. And I’m excited for it to come out this June, and for everyone to discover the new sides and the new stories that are part of Encantadia.

As for movies, I don’t have any upcoming films at the moment. But of course, this is something that I am open to. I’ve been really wanting to get back into acting in movies if the right role comes my way. And I’m excited because I feel like since I’ve gotten older and more comfortable with myself, and I’m less shy when it comes to certain things. I’m less awkward also, and way more sensitive than I was back then.

What kind of roles do you dream of playing?

It’s not so much about a specific dream role for me, but rather the opportunity to take on a project with an offbeat, layered character—someone complex and unconventional. I also hope to work with international studios, as it would challenge me to step outside my comfort zone and explore something truly different.

I’ve always wanted to play in a movie like Gone Girl or The Substance. I would like to discover some of the deeper, dark feminine sides of myself. I feel like that would be challenging and something I would be excited to shoot and to work for. But since I’m more comfortable with English than Filipino, I wish that one day I get to do a film that’s mostly in English so that I’m more comfortable, and I’m able to give more of myself. With Tagalog, I still have that language barrier, so sometimes it’s very hard for me to feel the scene because I’m still processing the language and the translation in my head.

It sounds like you take your work to heart. How do you find that balance between being a public figure and a deeply personal artist?

I’m grateful to have a platform that allows me to share my art with a wider audience. At the same time, I recognize that not everyone has had the same upbringing or environment as mine. Through my work, I hope to offer people a glimpse into the truth and beauty I see, whether in my subjects, my experiences, or my overall body of work. More than anything, I want my art to spark connection and reflection.

Where do you seek inspiration as an artist?

My dream is to join Art Basel one day, but for now, I think just being immersed in how Art Basel’s different forms and styles of art will inspire me, at least for the next show. It’s just so fascinating to see that there are so many talented people who have so much to share. Because every time I do an exhibit, I’m drained for a few months to a year. It takes time for me to get back into creating another solo show. I feel like being exposed to the pieces that I will see in Art Basel will help me find a path for what I want to do next when it comes to the art scene.

Uniqlo’s AIRism innerwear line fits seamlessly into my daily life! I rely on the Ribbed Cropped Bra Top for everyday wear—whether I’m at home or running errands. The fabric is incredibly comfortable, and it provides great support. When I’m painting, I love wearing the AIRism Bra Sleeveless Tops. They keep me at ease while working on my murals. Plus, with their cool-to-the-touch, moisture-wicking, and deodorizing benefits, I don’t feel uncomfortable even when I sweat.

I’ve been a longtime UNIQLO user, even before I started collaborating with them. Their clothing allows me to move freely and focus on my work because their pieces are both chic and functional. I genuinely connect with the brand and its ethos. When it comes to working with other artists, I always look for alignment in the stories we want to tell. If I can share my knowledge while also learning from them, it makes the collaboration feel more meaningful and symbiotic, like it was meant to be.

There’s so much creativity in your life. What else, apart from acting and painting, do you dream of pursuing?

I think I would love to interior design a place that’s not mine. I’ve always been obsessed with homes. If there’s an open house, I’m there. I love looking at furniture pieces. It’s another form of art as well. I have friends in the industry, and I have Pinterest boards of all the furniture I wish to one day own. I think it would be interesting and challenging, and also satisfying, to be able to design a place. It could be a resort lobby or someone’s home. When my children get older and don’t need me to be as present as I am now, and I have more time, I will take a course on interior design. I feel like it’s really important to keep learning.