CEBUANA beauty queens flaunted local designs during the Binibining Cebu swimwear and long gown competition last Nov. 13 at The Tent, Mandani Bay.
Cebuano designers from the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts Cebu (Fida Cebu) proved that Cebu deserves to be designated as a “Creative City of Design” with its world-class haute gowns.
Fifty-four stunning candidates conquered the runway, each donning masterpieces from 18 designers. Jeanom Urusa, Valerie Alvez and Philipp Tampus were chosen as the top three designers of the night. Tampus was awarded “Best Designer” for Binibining Cebu 2020. He designed the gowns of Bb. Mandaue, Bb. Minglanilla and Bb. Medellin. Tampus’ designs draw inspiration from the candidates’ personalities, beauty and bearing. His designs manifest elegance in sexy black and white couture, fabulously playing with cuts and shapes.
“Pageant gowns should not overpower the candidates but rather complement their shape, height and figure,” said Tampus.
The creative director of Binibining Cebu, Kenneth Cobonpue, designed the venue with vines and plants giving it a rainforest-kind of look.
The show started to sizzle as the candidates rocked the runway in their emerald green bikinis by Mikee Andrei. Andrei specially designed a multiway top that would perfectly suit the diversity of every woman’s figure.
“I wanted to showcase that the brand does not just dress up girls with a typical pageant body type but it is for everyone. We came up with ‘multiway’ so that people will get the idea that wearing swimwear can also be for other body types,” said Andrei.
The emerald bikinis of the candidates are part of Andrei’s PauLina collection. The swimwear and resort line is named after his mother and adopted daughter.
The pre-pageant is essential for choosing the top 20 finalists during the coronation night on Jan. 13, 2020. The organizers invited this set of esteemed judges: Sixth District of the Province of Cebu board member Glenn Soco, Binibining Pilipinas 2019 1st runner-up Maria Abesamis, Mikee Andrei, international fashion model Claudia Yeung, and pageant mentor Voltaire Tayag.