Here Are The Designers Behind Our Favorite National Costumes From Miss Universe PH
Learn more about the designers and the inspirations behind each National Costume.
The claim for the Miss Universe Philippines crown is getting tougher and tougher every day. Last night's National Costume presentation gave us some of the best fashion moments from the competition so far! The best costumes for us are those that have more than just one moment to show. This year's Miss Universe candidates heavily relied on references and symbols that represented their cities and provinces. Each ornate ensemble came with sartorial subtexts that are just as important as the look and feel of the dress.
Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Cebu City enthralled us with a think piece that could be mistaken as a gown or a jumpsuit. Inspired by the Bakunawa, a moon eater in Philippine folklore, Beatrice and Designer
Axel Que had all the right references to pull off this larger-than-life ensemble. Izabella Jasmine Umali of Manila also got her historic and mythological references down to a T. Her hand-painted gown featured deities and the retablos of the renowed church altars in Manila. Can we also talk about the refreshing colors of her dress? If you're wondering who stood out the most in gold, silver, and the most interesting color palettes on the National Costume runway, make sure to check out
Steffi Rose Aberasturi of Cebu Province's golden rattan ensemble, Kirsten Danielle Delavin of Masbate and Maureen Christa Wroblewitz of Pangasinan's fleeting silver-colored avant-garde looks, and
Christelle Abello of Aklan's maximalist gown.
Take a look at the gallery down below to learn more about our favorite National Costumes this year.
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Miss Universe PH National Costumes
Miss Universe PH National Costumes
Christelle Abello of Aklan
Here's maximalism done in style. Christelle with the help of Designer Ryan Salazar-Lopez highlighted the famous piña fabric of Aklan for her national costume. To add vibrancy and texture to her look, floral appliqués were placed all over her dress. Christelle also mentioned that her ensemble is heavily inspired by BGYO's single entitled 'Kulay'!
Photo Credit: Photos from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Mirjan S. Hipolito of Angeles
Who would've thought pink, red, and the brownish hues of local bird feathers would look this good? Mirjan graced the National Costume competition with a Carnival Queen-inspired ensemble by Kapampangan Designer Frederick Policarpio. Apart from the look of the dress, Mirjan's national costume also features beadwork and accessories by esteemed doll couturier Cholo Ayuyao who is also from Pampanga.
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Paolo Feliciano
Photo Credit: Photo from Paolo Feliciano
Beatrice Luigi Gomez of Cebu City
Inspired by the enthralling epic tales of the ‘Bakunawa’, a moon eater in Philippine folklore, Beatrice decided to incorporate specter-like hues that mimic the bioluminescence of a ‘Bakunawa’. The exaggerated micro pleated organza and the illusion that came with this ensemble is enough to impress us. Is it a dress or a jumpsuit? This think piece says it all about Beatrice and Designer Axel Que’s level of creativity.
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from @axlaxelque
Photo Credit: Photo from @axlaxelque
Steffi Rose Aberasturi of Cebu Province
Another heavy hitter from Cebu, Steffi came through the National Costume competition with a breathtaking dress. The 'Weaver of Hope' ensemble by Malayka Yama is entirely made out of rattan. This show-stopping costume celebrates the 500 years of Christianity in the country and it also honors one of the most well-known religious relics of the Philippines - The Señyor Sto Niño.
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Leren Mae Bautista of Laguna
Leren is the golden girl of the National Costume competition. Her ensemble is fully made of beaded gold lamé. The overflowing train and the golden leaves and foliage on the crown definitely added more drama to her look. Props to both designers Chico Estiva and Renee Salud for making this happen.
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Mark Neto Diaz
Photo Credit: Photo from Mark Neto Diaz
Izabella Jasmine Umali of Manila
Inspired by another legendary Carnival queen, Jasmine together with Designer June Samson Puyat incorporated mythological deities of the Katagalugan all over this dress. A painting of a 'retablo' was even added to the dress to represent the historic church altars in Manila. Did you know that the details of the entire ensemble was all hand-painted?
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from @jasmineumali
Kirsten Danielle Delavin of Masbate
Kisses’ fleeting all white ensemble was inspired by the Lapay, Masbate’s most symbolic and culturally distinct bird. Designed by Polly Lagyap, this ensemble is decked with laser-cut birds, detailed beadwork, and ostrich feathers. Polly also captured the similarities between Kisses and the beautiful Lapay bird by incorporating the grace and sweetness of Masbate’s modern carnival queen.
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Polly Lagyap
Photo Credit: Photo from Polly Lagyap
Maureen Christa Wroblewitz
Louis Pangilinan perfectly designed an ensemble that represented both Maureen and Pangasinan’s traits. The all-silver avant-garde Filipiñana is inspired by the Bangus and the fine salt beds of the Province of Pangasinan. From the scale-like headdress, fish fin-structured train, and the silver beads, crystals, and sequins that were hand-embellished on the dress, it would be an understatement to say that Maureen is looking every bit of a queen in this masterpiece.
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from @shairaluna
Photo Credit: Photo from @shairaluna
Maria Ingrid Teresita P. Santamaria of Paranaque
There’s always something about a Rajo Laurel-made gown that just makes us swoon. Ingrid shimmered althroughout the National Costume competition in a fully fringed silver number that is inspired by her late great grandmother who bagged the Manila Carnival queen title back in 1937. The apple does not fall far from the tree! Ingrid made sure that her costume represents her family, heritage, and purpose.
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from @samsantamaria
Photo Credit: Photo from @samsantamaria
Jane Nicole M. Miñano of Romblon
Old Filipina glamour never fails on the National Costume runway. Jane represented Romblon with an ornate ensemble by Designer Erjohn Dela Serna. The dress and the scarf looked like it weighed a ton but Jane posed effortlessly during the show!
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from Aperture Pro Productions
Photo Credit: Photo from Aperture Pro Productions
Rousanne Marie Bernos of San Juan
Nothing beats an ensemble that just celebrates the diversity of Filipino design and culture as a whole. Ayn collaborated with Designer Edwin Uy to pay tribute to the Carnival Queens that reigned back then. The last photo just says a lot about how much work was put into making this dress!
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from @briacardenas
Photo Credit: Photo from @briacardenas
Katrina Dimaranan of Taguig
Katrina steered away from the golds and silvers only to stand out in a ube-colored ombré gown by Val Taguba. The color of the dress was completely airbrushed by Val himself. If you take a closer look at the shoulders, those are Val’s modern take on the traditional butterfly sleeves of a Filipiñana. Katrina even shared that purple might just be her lucky color!
Photo Credit: Photo from Miss Universe Philippines
Photo Credit: Photo from @claudevillahrmsa @erwnbotin
Photo Credit: Photo from @claudevillahrmsa @erwnbotin
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