‘I made sure that the dresses I made for her will match who she is and what she advocates for’
Fashion has been a major part of pageantry since its early beginnings. And it is just right, especially when crowning a queen. One must look the part, and to some extent, be the physical manifestation of a dream. With great clothes, that can happen. As fashion becomes a big player in today’s beauty contest stage, in a pageant-obsessed country like the Philippines, knowing who will dress a delegate is an important deal.
Stepping on that challenge today is international Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran. Designing for Hollywood elites and global beauty contest champions and his two-decade journey in the fashion industry already makes him more than qualified for the job. But that doesn’t mean he is taking the easy road in crafting clothes for Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez.
As the 70th edition of the Miss Universe pageant comes closer, Manila Bulletin Lifestyle chats with the renowned couturier about the designs he prepared for the Cebuana beauty queen (a total of 25 sketches), her being his inspirations, and the role of fashion in today’s pageantry.
First off, how did your partnership with Miss Universe Philippines start?
Jonas Gaffud, the creative director of Miss Universe Philippines, asked me if we could design Beatrice’s gowns and wardrobe for the Miss Universe pageant. Jonas is a very good friend of mine and we go way back. He’s been supportive of my fashion projects and we’ve collaborated several times from Megan Young's winning gown in Miss World 2013 to Kylie Verzosa’s Miss International 2016 victory. I also realized that it is my duty as a Filipino fashion designer to do what I can to support Beatrice. I felt a sense of purpose to contribute to Beatrice's path in the pageant as our official representative. I guarantee that she will be a total stunner when she wears my creations with confidence.
You’ve been dressing many beauty queens in the past. What did you consider this time in designing pieces for Beatrice?
I always create dresses that match the personalities of my muses. Bea is a wonderful, amazing yet mysterious person with a fiery yet humble personality, so I made sure that these qualities are reflected in the outfits I made for her.
Are you also designing her gown for the competition?
Yes! In fact, I sent several design options for her to wear at the pageant. These dresses are very well executed and tested to withstand the challenges of the competition. Also, she has already been seen wearing some of my dresses like the customized satin ensemble when she departed for Israel. She also wore one of my art deco pieces for another event. I look forward to seeing her wear more outfits I designed for her.
For the pieces you designed for her wardrobe, what are your inspirations for them?
Bea is a very humble woman with a feisty personality. Whenever she walks onstage, she steals the audience's hearts. She delivers answers filled with powerful wisdom on questions thrown her way. I made sure that the dresses I made for her will match who she is and what she advocates for.
We know that fashion has been part of pageantry since its beginning. But why is it important today for beauty contestants to present styles that highlight heritage and culture?
Being able to express one's heritage and culture through fashion is essential for a country's recognition. It is everyone's first look and impression of a particular contestant. It gives the audience an insight into who this person is, where they came from, and what they are all about. As a Filipino fashion designer, I want everyone to see all that in my designs: the inspiration, the wearer's character, and what is being represented by the dress.
Miss Universe 2021 pageant will be held in Eilat, Israel on Dec. 12, 2021 (Dec. 13, 2021, 7:30 a.m. PHT).