More than a garment: Miss Universe Philippines 2021 candidates and designers share inspiration behind their gorgeous evening gowns
After heating things up in the pageant's swimsuit competition, the Top 28 Miss Universe Philippines 2021 hopefuls graced the runway with the most gorgeous and elegant evening gowns.
For contestants and designers, their garbs are more than just beautiful garments—they have deeper stories to tell.
Kirsten Danielle Delavin (Masbate)
Kirsten "Kisses" Delavin had the theme Tinatangi for her evening gown, which she dedicated to her fans and supporters—people she considers special in her Miss Universe Philippines journey. Designer Louis Pangilinan shared that the sequins, beads, and crystal embellishments represent Masbate and Delavin's loyal supporters.
"The train and its one-shoulder length glove is a representation of her fans as a sturdy wall to lean on," the designer shared on Instagram.
Meanwhile, the color of the gown is inspired by Masbate's marine sanctuary.
Katrina Dimaraan (Taguig)
The Taguig candidate was a vision in black on the runway in a garment from Martin Bautista, themed Tapis. The gown had a black corset with crystallized tulle and crystal fringe embellishment, which is inspired by the capabilities of a Filipina woman and the ideology of how a woman should act and behave.
Dimaraan said on Instagram that the garment took inspiration from numerous Filipina figures from history to art, including Gabriela Silang, Tandang Sora, Sabel, and Dalagang Bukid. "The woman is not a chameleon that only blends, but a self-thinking human being capable of any role they desire to be," she wrote.
She also shared that she dubbed her walk to the dress as the "KATipunera walk" in honor of the country's heroines and their qualities.
"The sounds coming from the glass crystal fringe details (yes these large fringes make A LOT of sounds!) are attributed to the “kalembang ng kampana” or the church bells coinciding with the first battle cry of the Katipunan during the Battle of San Juan del Monte in 1896, the first real battle of the Philippine revolution. Many of the founding members of the Katipunan were women and I am proud to uphold their legacy. This walk and dress is a nod to Philippine history, my values, and my roots with San Juan being my birthplace," Dimaraan shared.
Maria Ingrid Santamaria (Parañaque)
Ingrid "Sam" Santamaria's dress takes inspiration from the Greek goddess of beauty Aphrodite. Her gown featured classical Greek draping in mother of Pearl silk charmeuse, a hand draped plissé detail on the bodice, and metallic paillettes.
"I drew from the idea of what is divine? What is beautiful?" designer Rajo Laurel posted on Instagram.
Maureen Wroblewitz (Pangasinan)
The Pangasinan beauty donned a stunning blue Mara Chua mermaid gown inspired by the sea. Before the evening gown hit the runway, Chua shared teasers on Instagram about its marine theme such as visuals of the sea and sea creatures.
Leren Mae Bautista (Laguna)
Leren Bautista's Louis Pangilinan-designed garment was inspired by Maryang Makiling, the mythical lovelorn enchantress said to be guarding the dormant volcano in Los Baños Laguna.
The gorgeous silver gown is adorned with an intricate arrangement of beads, crystals, and sequins, which the designer said, "breathtakingly complements a true Phenomenal Filipina woman."
Thumbnail and banner photos from Instagram