LOOK: Kelley Day's winning National Costume at Miss Eco International 2020
Another beauty queen is raising the Philippine flag in the international pageant scene, as Kelley Day wins Best in National Costume at Miss Eco International 2020 held on Friday night, April 2, 2021.
24-year-old Philippine bet Kelley Day stunned in a modern Maria Clara-inspired red national costume by Louis Pangilinan at the Baron Resort Sharm El Sheikh in South Sinai, Egypt for the Miss Eco International 2020 preliminaries.
The actress-model announced on social media that it is "an honor" to wear this costume.
"Winning “Best National Costume” tonight just made me feel even MORE proud to be representing the Philippines," she wrote, thanking her glam team and the Miss Eco International organization for the recognition.
"This is for the Philippines," she added.
In a separate post, designer Pangilinan shared the inspiration behind his gorgeous creation: Maria Clara.
"It’s a perfect spotlight for this traditional attire to be of style and fashion – the evidence of religiosity and spirituality of Filipinos into a Filipiniana Costume," he wrote.
The gown is han-embroidered and is embellished intricately with hand-painted art. The traditional Maria Clara bell sleeves are also adorned with beads and crystals, and are played up with tassels from fibers.
"Summing up the fear of being outdated, the touch of modernity on this Maria Clara national attire still implies purity, innocence and devout - words that define a Modern Filipina," Pangilinan added.
The Miss Eco International 2020 grand coronation night will happen on Sunday, Apr. 4.
Last year, Philippine bet Maureen Montagne won first runner-up, while actress Cynthia Thomalia of the Philippines won the first edition of the pageant in 2018.