6 days Ago By Daphne Sagun
At the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, Chelsea Manalo continues to walk with her head held high in an evening gown designed by Manny Halasan. It was only last May when Chelsea Manalo was competing for the title of Miss Universe Philippines. At the time, she only had one thought during the competition: “Lord ako na lang (let it be).
” Since then, the Bulaqueña beauty queen has launched discussions about the diversity of Filipino beauty. Although Manalo did not make it to the Top 12, she held her head high throughout the pageant. During the preliminary, Manalo presented her national costume by Manny Halasan, composed of a gold dress with white sleeves.
The look also had a gold headpiece and two fans, with a blue train with an image of the Virgin Mary. For her evening gown, she held her head high in a voluminous blue gown, which was also designed by Halasan. If her preliminary gown was inspired by Philippine waves, Manalo’s final evening gown would have represented her emerging from the sea.
Also designed by Halasan, the look is a white embellished gown with a Tiffany blue gradient, paired with a matching ostrich feather cape in the same colors. “This Tiffany [blue] gown shows modern glamor meets timeless grace. A statement that our Queen is ready to be seen and will make her mark,” Miss Universe Philippines told Vogue Philippines .
“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.” Photography, creative direction & produced by Seven Barretto.
Art direction & set design by Erwin Botin of Botin Studios. Gown by Manny Halasan. Styling by Paris Roxas.
Makeup by Chelsea Manalo and Kenneth Marcelino. Hair by Herry Buan Javier and Angelu Dominquez. Photography team: Claude Villahermosa, Dariel Miraflor, Studio 7.
Video team: Special thanks to Jonas Gaffud, Mau De Leon, Paolo Arevalo, Eljohn Mendoza, Gem Carl Orpilla, Belg Belciga of Espacio Creativo Escolta..
