Rabiya Mateo to don Furne One, Rocky Gathercole creations at Miss Universe 2020
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Filipino designers are big winners in this year's Miss Universe pageant.
Rabiya Mateo's quest to take home the country's fifth Miss Universe crown gets another boost from two renowned Filipino designers.
The 24-year-old beauty queen from Iloilo will reportedly be wearing creations by Dubai-based couturier Furne One and the late designer Rocky Gathercole.
Furne One's involvement was relayed by the UAE-based PR agency, Yugen PR, which took to Instagram to announce the news.
“Miss Universe Philippines officially announced Furne Amato as the official designer of Rabiya Mateo's Preliminary and Finals Evening Gown as she competes at this year's Miss Universe Pageant in Florida."
Furne One is known widely in the international fashion circuit, with clients that include big-named Hollywood celebrities such as Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Mariah Carey.
He designed the swimsuits at the last Miss Universe Philippines pageant staged in October which Rabiya won.
For her national costume, Rabiya will be wearing an outfit designed by Rocky Gathercole.
It will mark Rocky's debut on the Miss Universe stage, an honor which he, unfortunately, won't be able to celebrate as he passed away in March this year.
Rocky was one of the country's leading designers and had worked with Hollywood stars such as Nicki Minaj, Britney Spears, and Jennifer Lopez.
“We decided to tap different designers from all over the Philippines. It's been more than a hundred designers who really helped me in this journey, from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” Rabiya told Aubrey Carampel of 24 Oras during a recent virtual chat with the media.
“We noticed that in the past few years it's been the textile, the cloth that is being highlighted.
"Now we wanted to focus on the craftsmanship, on the artistry of Filipino designers.
"I'd like to assure pageant fans that they're going to see a lot of modern and stylish outfits [throughout the competition]."
Meanwhile, Filipino and Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco will design the gowns of Romanian candidate Bianca Tirsin and Canada's bet Nova Stevens.
Michael's A-list celebrity clients include Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Tyra Banks, and Jennifer Lopez, to name just a few.
It was reported previously that Filipino shoe designer Jojo Bragais will serve as the official shoe sponsor for this year's Miss Universe pageant.
The 69th Miss Universe pageant will take place on May 16, 2021 (May 17 in the Philippines), at Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood Florida, USA.
Meanwhile, take a look back at Furne One's swimwear creations as donned by the top 16 candidates of Miss Universe Philippines 2020.
