Francheska “Eska” Lhian: The Freedom to Evolve
Eska Lhian approaches body art with a looseness uncommon in a culture that often demands justification: choosing tattoos and piercings instinctively, and allowing them to reflect the fluidity of her identity.
“It’s not even about the design,” says Francheska Lhian, also known as Eska online. “I feel like it’s beautiful because you wanted it. It’s [about] the intention,” she continues, referring to tattoos.
Eska, a model and a fashion influencer, doesn’t seem to overcomplicate things. She’s spontaneous and sure of herself. She does things simply because she wants to, which is where her power lies. For example? She got a ribbon tattoo because it was trendy at the time, and then she got a constellation tattoo because a tattoo artist offered to personalize it, to which she said ‘yes’ without hesitation.
Jerick Sanchez
But aside from that, she loves how tattoos spark conversation. “It becomes a conversation starter,” she says.
Tattoos aren’t her only form of expression, though. In 2022, at the height of the pandemic, she began experimenting with piercings. “I started piercing myself,” she laughs. She’s had a septum, vertical eyebrow, snake bites, labret, and almost every face piercing you can imagine. Some have closed up since. “I feel like it doesn’t translate to who I am now,” she says.
For Eska, it’s all about evolution, and knowing which parts of yourself to keep, and which to let go.
Art direction by Nicole Almero. Beauty direction by Leira Aquino. Makeup by Lala Flores. Hair by JA Feliciano. Styling by Geno Espidol and Jermainne Lagura of Qurator. Nails by Extraordinail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Francheska “Eska” Lhian is a Filipino model and fashion influencer known for her spontaneous approach to personal style and body modification. She is recognized online for her candid perspective on tattoos and piercings as evolving markers of identity rather than permanent aesthetic commitments.
For Eska, the value of a tattoo lies in the intention behind it rather than the design itself. She believes a tattoo is meaningful simply because the person wanted it at that moment — a philosophy reflected in her own pieces, which include a trend-driven ribbon tattoo and a personalized constellation design she accepted on impulse.
Eska began piercing herself in 2022 during the pandemic. At various points she has had a septum, vertical eyebrow, snake bites, labret, and nearly every face piercing available. Several have since closed, which she attributes to a natural shift in how she sees herself rather than regret over the original decision.
Eska allowed certain piercings to close because she felt they no longer reflected her current identity. For her, body modification is tied to personal evolution — keeping what still resonates and releasing what no longer translates to who she is at a given point in her life.
Beyond personal meaning, Eska values tattoos for their ability to spark conversation. She sees them as an entry point for connection — visible markers that invite others to ask questions and open dialogue, extending their significance beyond the individual into shared social interaction.
