MANILA, Philippines — Apart from her iconic lava walk, Catriona Gray’s Philippine culture-inspired gowns have made her memorable as Miss Universe 2018.
A new exhibition in Manila aims to relive Catriona’s journey by showing all her outfits — from the Miss World and Miss Universe pageants to her recent homecoming — all by Filipino designer Mak Tumang.
Related video: Mak Tumang on his exhibit of Catriona Gray's gowns
In an interview with Mak last week during the exhibit’s launch in SM Mall of Asia, the designer told Philstar.com his inspiration behind the gowns.
Related video: Mak Tumang on the inspiration behind the gowns
“They’re inspired by Philippine arts and culture, to show what the Philippines is all about,” he said.
Included in the exhibit are Catriona’s orange pre-pageant gown, “Adarna;” the homecoming outfits like the jumpsuit “Sampaguita” and the coral-reef-inspired “Corales;” the final gown option “Perla Oriente;” and of course, the Mayon Volcano-inspired “Mayon” gown, which she wore during the pageant in Bangkok, Thailand.
Also on display are Catriona’s Binibining Pilipinas finals gown, “Sinag,” which symbolizes the sun’s rays from the Philippine flag; “Paru-Paro,” which the beauty queen wore during the Miss World After Party in USA; and “Bituin,” an ode to the shining stars from the Philippine flag, an ensemble she wore for the ABS-CBN Ball.
"Sobrang saya ko na na-share ko sa mga Pinoy ‘yung mga pinaghirapan kong mga gowns na ‘to, ginamit sa Miss Universe. Masaya dahil nakita kong sobra ‘yung appreciation nila sa mga likhang ito," Tumang said.
The entire collection can be viewed for free at the S Maison Atrium until March 28. — Videos by Erwin Cagadas Jr.