THE Philippines may not have ended the 71st Miss Universe pageant on a high note, but, some great things surely have transpired for the Filipinos to take pride in.
Do you know that among the latest Miss U’s pool of designers is someone who creates fashion pieces for Davao Region’s Musa Fabric?
Carl Andrada, who hails from Capiz, has been a fashion and costume designer based in the United States since 2015. From Los Angeles, California, he collaborated with the House of Musa’s Joy Soo for the first-ever New York Fashion Week participation of the latter last year. This partnership during the widely popular fashion event paved way for more collaborations, and even more are underway.
In an online interview with Fashion Nook, the Pinoy designer shared that his stint in the prestigious beauty tilt did not just start this year.
“The first costume I made for a Miss Universe contestant was in 2017 with Isabel Chikoti of Zambia,” he recalled.
In 2021, he made the evening gown and other wardrobes of Miss Universe Mauritius back then.
“I believe the organization was satisfied with what I have created with their delegate so after a few months, they asked me again this time for Mauritius and Seychelles since they both acquired the franchise for Miss Universe Mauritius and Miss Universe Seychelles,” he said.
Andrada showcased his creativity in the national costumes of Miss Universe Mauritius Alexandrine Belle-toile and Miss Universe Seychelles Gabriella Gonthier.
“For both of their national costume, the national director of Mauritius and Seychelles sent me some inspiration, as now costumes no longer be traditional but you must add a little creativity. So, for Mauritius, I have chosen their National Flower which is Trochetia Boutoniana, while for Seychelles, we agreed to use as inspiration the tropical bird Paile-en-queue also known as payanke in the creole dialect,” he said.
Andrada is definitely not a newbie in dressing up international pageant contestants. In 2015, he did both the national costume and evening gown of Giselle Reinberg of Suriname at the Miss Earth Pageant held in Vienna, Austria.
“She actually found me on Instagram right after I won the Metropolitan Fashion Week costume design competition. After which, I have been dressing several girls from Zambia for Miss Earth 2019 (silver medal in Best in National Costume), 2019 Miss International Zambia, 2019 Miss USA Globe, 2018 Miss Grand Zambia (top 10 Best National Costume),” he revealed.
When asked about how he feels seeing his creations come to life on an international stage, Andrada had this to say: “Well, the excitement seeing your creation in the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world (the universe rather) is just fulfilling, especially for us Filipinos.”
“Miss Universe is the most watched and most popular pageant in the Philippines. So, there is a feeling of happiness and fulfillment, especially being a costume and fashion designer. One of your dreams really is for your creations to be on that stage, and I am so blessed to have those dreams fulfilled thrice,” he concluded.
Congratulations, Kuya Carl! Cheers to more awesome creations in the upcoming shows. Continue to inspire us, your kababayan.
Special thanks to Missosology and Kuya Carl for the photos used in this article!
###
If you have special events, interesting lifestyle stories, and fashion tips to share, you are always free to reach me at mendoza.jennygrace@gmail.com. You may also follow Purple’s Nook on Facebook for more updates.