LOOK: Chelsea Manalo's unseen mint green evening gown for the 73rd Miss Universe competition
The Philippines' Chelsea Manalo was supposed to wear a mint green dress to the evening gown competition, should she have made it to the Top 12 of the 73rd Miss Universe competition.
On Instagram, Manalo, the first Filipino of African descent to win the title, shared photos of her gown created by local fashion designer Manny Halasan.
She donned a stunning, heavily beaded light green gown adorned with a dramatic ostrich feather cape, accentuating her sun-kissed complexion. Her hair was styled in a sleek high bun, and her makeup was kept minimal, allowing her natural beauty to shine.
"This Tiffany gown shows modern glamour meets timeless grace. A statement that our Queen is ready to be SEEN and will make her MARK," she quoted Halasan.
"She comes in with a soft armor covered in Ostrich Feathers ready to unleash what she is authentically made of.... simple yet strong, subtle but remarkable. Every step, every turn and every air that breathes into this gown is magic that cannot be ignored. The Queen has arrived," the caption read.
While the Philippines' Chelsea Manalo, though making it to the Top 30, did not advance to the Top 12, the nation remains hopeful for its fifth Miss Universe crown. The country aims to follow in the footsteps of its titleholders: Catriona Gray (2018), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), Margie Moran (1973), and Gloria Diaz (1969).
During the preliminary competition, Chelsea wore a stunning Manny Halasan blue ball gown that made her look like a real-life princess. She took advantage of her bouffant skirt by doing an elegant twirl.
For her national costume, she wore an outfit inspired by Muslim Filipinos. The gown used the traditional fabric of the Inaul from the Province of Sultan Kudarat and was adorned with Tongkaling bells from Mindanao, which were believed to bring protection and blessings to the wearer.
