Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray may be Filipino-Australian but she fully supports Filipino culture and uses her influence
to empower Pinoy pride as seen in her social media posts. The beauty queen is often garbed in locally weaven outfits coming from different regions in the country.
In every traditional outfit she wears, Catriona pays tribute to various Filipino fabric weavers and their work. She campaigns for Filipino-made products and supports tourism within the country. Here are some of Catriona's memorable outfits and the stories behind them.
When Catriona Gray was 13 years old, her mother Normita Magnayon-Gray had a dream that her daughter won the Miss Universe crown in a red dress.
In 2018, Catriona was crowned Miss Universe in a red dress that turned the prophecy into reality.
The red gown was called Lava and is a tribute to Catriona's hometown. The designer, Mak Tumang, revealed the details of the gown. He said, "She is celebrating her roots - she is celebrating Albay! The prominent and iconic Mayon Volcano is the penultimate inspiration for this creation. It is dubbed as the 'perfect cone' because of its symmetric conical form. Folk tales have it that it was named after the mythological heroine 'Daragang Magayon' (Beautiful Lady). Despite its pulchritude is the fact that it is the most active volcano in the Philippines erupting numerous times in the past half a millennium. Catriona can be considered as the modern-day Daragang Magayon. She embodies the Filipina's beauty, intelligence and burning passion. This lady is definitely on fire! Watch her erupt right before your very eyes and let the lava of grace, goodness and hope flow."
During the preliminary competition, Catriona wore another iconic gown that tells a an intersting story about the legendary Ibong Adarna.
The gown called Adarna is inspired form the Philippine Adarna Bird, Phoenix and Mikimoto Crown.
Designer Mak Tumang also designed this now-iconic dress worn by Miss Universe 2018 during the competition. He described Catriona as a good representation of the mythological bird. "Her will-power and burning passion drive her to make every Filipino proud in whatever she does. She is the blazing Adarna! Watch her rise in glory along with our hopes and dreams for our beloved country: the Philippines!"
For Catriona's national costume, she showcased the regions of the Philippines.
The T'boli headdress and the handmade brass bracelets and belt were from South Cotabato in Mindanao. Her embellished bodysuit made by designer Jearson Demavivas, was inspired from the Pintados Festival of Tacloban in Eastern Visayas. The knee-high boots by Mindanaoan designer Jojo Bragais were inspired from various ethno-linguistic groups of the southern regions the Manobo, Maguindanao,Yakan, Maranao Bagobo, and T'boli.
Catriona looks stunning in another Filipino made outfit.
Catriona wore pieces that showcase the world-class materials made in the Philippines. She wrote, "Another one of my favourite outfits in my @missuniverse wardrobe from @jearsond in handmade burda callado Pinya silk top of LUMBAN LAGUNA, T'nalak belt and hand painted sampaguita skirt by Jeffrey Catuira.
The beauty queen showcased the stunning details of her skirt with T'boli embroidery. The piece was made from South Cotabato in Southern Mindanao.
During the competition, Catriona introduced various designs from talented Filipinos.
Catriona discussed the details on how her outfit was made. She said, "T'nalak fabric from the Land of the Dreamweavers, South Cotabato."
Catriona wore another Mak Tumang design called alon or wave.
The beauty queen is beaming with happiness in this ensemble.
Catriona wowed everyone in a show-stopping coral outfit for a press conference.
The design is a modern twist on Filipiniana outfit.
The woman of the universe is stunning in another proud Pinoy piece.
The design is made from Inaul which is known to be a woven fabric of Maguindanaoan.
Designer Mak Tumang described what the Sampaguita design meant to our Miss Universe. He said, "The Sampaguita; also known as Philippine Jasmine, is the national flower of our beautiful country - the Philippines. Legend has it that its etymology was derived from the Filipino words "sumpa kita" which mean 'I promise you.' This ornamental flower is an inherent part of our landscape since time immemorial. Interestingly, this flower has a lot to do with the concept of 'Coming Home'. You know you are home when its distinct sweet and aromatic fragrance tickles your olfactory sense. Moreover, the flowers are usually slung and made into leis which are used to welcome dignitaries or are being peddled in front of churches so as to become offerings. Ergo, it is but fitting that we welcome our Queen with Sampaguitas adorned with Anahaw - our national leaf. Catriona will wear this Philippine Terno which is a “Callado” (similar to Piña Barong) embroidered gown with stylized Panuelo and Mariposa sleeves. Welcome home Catriona! Thank you for the fulfilled promise of making the Filipino people proud! Mabuhay!"
Catriona Gray looks poised and elegant in this mascota, a traditional wear of the Zamboanguenas in the 1700s. On her post, Catriona explained, "A mascota is made up of SIX elements: ang corpiño (silk or cotton slip), candongga (panuelo), renggue (upper garment), sobre falda (tapis), cola (the skirt), and enaguas (inner lining of the skirt). Without just one of these elements, it is not a mascota."
She is wearing a Filipino handmade, powersuit barong during her ambassador duties in Laguna.
Catriona pairs her embroidered barong top with jeans during a trip to her mother's hometown in Laguna. During her visit, Catriona was recogonised with the title of Adopted Illustrious Daughter of Laguna.
Catriona wore a Yakan top when she met the Yakan weavers in Zamboanga. In this photo, Catriona was assisted by Zalma Ballati, the master weaver of Yakan village. "Alam niya ang pitong klaseng disenyo ng Yakan. At gumagawa rin siya ng sarili niyang disenyo. She was taught by her mother, and she in turn is passing down the art of yakan weaving to this generation," the beauty queen said.
She stands out fiercely in her pis siyabit dress. According to Catriona, pis siyabit is a hand woven cloth made of silk or cotton and comes in geometric patterns. It may be worn over the shoulder or tied around the head among the Tausug men in Sulu Archipelago, Philippines.