Cebuano designer will be behind Rabiya’s Miss U gowns

CEBU, Philippines —  Another Cebuano couturier will take charge of the gowns of the Philippines’ Miss Universe delegate after Cary Santiago took on the task in 2019 for Gazini Ganados.

Furne One – who has dressed Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, and Pia Wurtzbach – will create the preliminary and finals evening gowns for Rabiya Mateo. The world-renowned designer who studied Fine Arts at the University of San Carlos is based in Dubai.

Rabiya’s national costume, meanwhile, is by the late avant-garde designer Rocky Gathercole, whose clients included Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Tyra Banks and Nicki Minaj. He passed away last March before he could see his masterpiece debut on the MU stage. To recall, Santiago’s eagle-inspired creation for Gazini won Best National Costume at the 68th Miss Universe.