Queen things: Pia Wurtzbach dedicates show-stopping gowns to Filipina Miss Universe winners
It’s a Miss Universe thing.
Pia Wurtzbach has caught the attention of fans at the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 pageant, thanks to her scene-stealing gowns inspired by Filipina Miss Universe winners. Of course, all dresses were created by Filipino designers.
Wurtzbach first walked the stage in a glamorous white gown inspired by Gloria Diaz who was crowned Miss Universe in 1969. Dubbed “Manila Girl on the Moon,” the shimmering white gown with a thigh-high slit was designed by Mark Bumgarner.
The beauty queen took to Instagram to express her admiration for Diaz through fashion. “An ode to the white gown Gloria Diaz, the Philippines’ first Miss Universe, wore when she was asked in 1969 what would she do when the first man on the moon visited Manila.”
“Today, this look is a message for every woman to be unafraid to reach for the moon and say yes to her dreams and new adventures,” Wurtzbach said.
Wurtzbach’s second look worn during the swimsuit competition is a sexy one-piece gown created by Jaggy Glarino. The gown, described as a reinvention of “what pageant shots,” is an ode to Miss Universe 1973 Margie Moran.
“Taking cues from the iconic flower pinned on Margie Moran’s gown when she was crowned Miss Universe back in 1973, we want to showcase the woman in full bloom,” she said.
According to Wurtzbach, the gown features a shade of yellow that’s “brighter than the sun” and was created to “unapologetically highlight a woman’s curves.”
The Miss Universe 2015 titleholder also paid tribute to her winning look by donning an updated version of her “signature” blue gown. The edgy two-piece gown, designed by Louis Pangilinan, was described as Wurtzbach’s “crowning glory.”
The gown features a flattering two-piece ‘fit, a body-hugging silhouette, and a close-fitting neckline. “An homage to my DIC crown when I won Miss Universe back in 2015 in my signature blue color,” she said.
“We’re taking wearing the crown to the next level—not just on top of our heads, but as an embodiment of how every woman should be celebrated whatever size, shape, or age she is,” Wurtzbach added.
Last but not least, Wurtzbach pranced down the stage in an attention-grabbing red gown dedicated to Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s iconic “lava gown.”
The fiery red gown was designed by Gladi Echavarria and Atsuko Kudo, and it features an asymmetrical neckline, a thigh-high-slit, a revealing cut-out, and matching red gloves.
“Girl on Fire. Inspired by Catriona Gray’s winning color in Miss Universe 2018, we want every woman to feel like she is a phoenix rising who’s fierce, feminine, and fabulous in everything that she does,” Wurtzbach said.
Wurtzbach represented the Philippines in the Miss Universe 2015 pageant after her third attempt. The beauty queen was crowned by Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega of Colombia.