Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza was supposed to wear a creation by Dubai-based Filipino Michael Cinco for the evening gown competition in the recent Miss Universe pageant.
But Andrea changed her mind.
“It was a lovely dress, a white dress. But the reason why I didn’t wear it was because it wasn’t long enough for me," she said, during an Instagram live session.
“It fitted perfectly, but I could only wear it without heels. And, of course, I wanted to wear heels. That’s why I didn’t use it."
Still she thanked Michael for sending her "the beautiful dress."
“And I hope, in the future, I can wear other of your designs. You are so talented,” Andrea told Michael.
It would be recalled that Michael mentioned Andrea during his social media rants about Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens and her MGmode team.
In the lengthy post, Michael noted how thankful Miss Romania Bianca Tirsin, Miss Czech Republic Klara Vavrushkova, and Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters were, when they wore his creations.
During the evening gown competition, Andrea wore the creation of Mexican designer Ivis Lenin.
Kuwait-based Lebanese designer Nadim Soudaiha revealed in an article published in Kuwait Times that the gown of Andrea was copied from her 2017 dress under fashion house La Bourjoisie.
And as seen on Nadim's Instagram feed, Hollywood star Carrie Underwood even worn it some years ago.
"The shimmery red fringe gown worn by Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza from Mexico while being crowned on May 16, 2021 was allegedly copied from a gown designed by Nadim Soudaiha, a Lebanese designer based in Kuwait," read an article written by Nawara Fattahova.
Nadim told Kuwait Times that the international media found out the dress that Miss Universe was wearing during the ceremony, which was copied from his design but in a different color.
“It took me around 10 days to design this dress that was made from tulle with Swarovski crystals and fringe beads. But stylist Jacob de Alba revealed in an Instagram post that Andrea’s gown was designed by Ivis Lenin, and that this haute couture dress took almost a year to put together,” Nadim said.
“On the other hand, there is a positive side to the story – that my designs have reached faraway places, and although this design was old, it was copied for such a big occasion. I have mixed feelings towards what happened.”