Pia’s winning blue gown inspired by PHL seas, Manila Bay sunset

Designer Albert Andrada poses with his now-famous creation: the royal blue gown worn by Pia Wurtzbach at the Miss Universe coronation night. Photo: Trisha Macas

Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach's now-famous royal blue gown was inspired by the sea and the sun over the Philippines, its designer said.

During the launch of his La Prospérité Chinoise collection at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on Wednesday, Albert Andrada shared the inspiration behind the design.

"The inspiration of this gown is the Philippine seas. Because hindi ba it is so serene? Kaya nga it’s blue," Andrada told GMA News Online.

"Royal blue stands for royalty din. Nasabi ko nga it will fit her as Miss Universe kasi nga she is a queen."

He said the color was Wurtzbach's choice.

"It was only a coincidence na nagtugma sa crown. We didn’t consider the jewel in the crown. What she really wanted was royal blue," he added.

If the blue was for the sea, the intricate, V-patterned beadwork on the back symbolized the rays of the setting sun over Manila Bay, Andrada said.

Continuing with the nature theme, the draping at the hem was inspired by fish fins.

It also turns out that for all its complexity, the gown that is now part of history was a rush job, made in only nine days just days before the competition.

"I was told lang on December 9 and I was leaving on the 18th. Kaya nga, it was nine days of hard work day and night," Andrada said.

This means the gown had not even been made when Pia left for the competition in late November.

The Pearl of the Orient

Andrada also made Pia's national costume, which took him three weeks to make.

Even more intricately designed and made than the blue gown, the off-white national costume is called the Pearl of the Orient and is adorned with capiz shell, pearls and Swarovski crystals.

The headpiece Pia wore with the gown was inspired by those worn by carnival queens in the 1900s.

"And kung makikita n'yo iyong pleats sa may skirt, it was done by hand. Hindi siya tinahi sa makina, it was all done by hand," Andrada added.

Andrada also designed the National Costume worn by Pia. Photo: Miss Universe

The national costume earned the approval of the pageant fans and enthusiasts, which must have been a relief for Binibining Pilipinas organizers after the online derision that met a foreign-made gown worn by previous contestant MJ Lastimosa.

Andrada revealed that he, too, likes the gown.

"Even though I made it, I can't help but keep looking at it, every now and then," he said.

The national costume is now on display at Andrada's shop in Greenbelt 5 where, the designer said, people have been going to see it in person. Some would even do strange things, he recounted.

"Funny, kasi there are people who come in groups [to see the gown]. Parang excursion na. One time nga, there was this one person na he touched the national costume and made the sign of the cross. All crazy things are happening there," he said.

But perhaps even over-the-top reactions are understandable. The Philippines, after all, had to wait 42 years for Pia's victory. — BM, GMA News