The fashion designers said they 'felt disrespected, dishonored, and disregarded by these team of handlers'
Neil Patrick Jimlani, together with fellow Mindanao-based fashion designers Mark Joseph Sayad, Aries Buenvenida, Nicky de Asis, and Richard Pulatche, expressed their disappointment on a team of pageant handlers through a joint statement.
According to Neil's post released on Sept. 2, 2021, these handlers asked them to create pieces to be used for the coming Miss Universe Philippines 2021 pageant. But after the Top 30 announcement on Sept. 1, 2021, "some dresses will not be worn on the actual event because they (the handlers) also tapped other designers to showcase their works." The group of designers, which calls themselves as part of Fashion Designers Guild of Mindanao, saw this as an "unfair" treatment.
"We felt disrespected, dishonored, and disregarded by these team of handlers who asked us to help them provide the national costume, gowns, and OOTD's before the selection of the Top 75," they said. "We agreed, full-heartedly without hesitation, because we wanted to show support even if it costs us our extended time, efforts, and money, which we took from our own pockets. During our meeting it was clear to us that all dresses will be worn during the event, we were even asked for sketch for approval."
"With this, we withdraw our support to the team and, with great dismay, may all of you find peace for using us to feed your own benefits," they continued. "Congratulations for making them at the Top 30, but it's not a be all and end all of everything, there are people who are disheartened by what these people have done."
No information was given about which particular candidate handlers the statement is for. Currently, fellow fashion designers, industry friends, and pageant fans are sending online support to the group of fashion designers.