Gowns by Dubai's Michael Cinco dazzled during Monday’s Miss Universe finale.
The Filipino couturier was commissioned to create the dress worn by Miss USA in the evening gown segment of the competition. Contestant Elle Smith donned a structured nude and blue zircon gown, with embellishments that resembled a trail of delicate foliage inching its way up the dress and over the fitted bodice. Pronounced draping over one shoulder was offset by a thigh-high split in the skirt.
Cinco also dressed two of the competition’s judges – Bollywood star and former Miss India Urvashi Rautela and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere – in both the preliminaries and final competition.
Reigning Miss Universe 2020, Mexico’s Andrea Meza, donned another of Cinco's custom creations as she handed over her crown to this year’s winner, India’s Harnaaz Sandhu. Meza stunned in a fairytale-esque gown with a shimmering bodice in a deep shade of plum, with ruffled sleeves and a princess neckline, and a full skirt.
“Growing up in the Philippines, where the whole country is pageant fanatics, I dreamt of seeing my creations some day on the Miss Universe stage,” Cinco tells The National. “So dressing up past winners and candidates has always been an honour for me and makes me proud being Filipino.
“My strength is more in haute couture and evening gowns for red carpet events and wedding gowns. But to see my gowns on Miss Universe stage, watched by millions of people all over the world, is another feeling of joy and happiness.”
Cinco has become a firm favourite with Miss Universe contestants over the years. He created the gowns worn by Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Mittenaere during their final walks, and has created evening gowns for Miss Canada, Miss Romania, Miss Argentina, Miss Uruguay and Miss Czech Republic in past competitions.
Photos from the moment Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu won Miss Universe 2021:
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Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu, left, is crowned Miss Universe 2021 by Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza from Mexico during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel. Contestants from 80 countries and territories competed in the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu reacts as the Miss Universe crown is placed on her head by the outgoing Miss Universe Andrea Meza of Mexico, at the Red Sea resort of Eilat in Israel. Reuters -
Contestants congratulate Miss Universe 2021 winner Harnaaz Sandhu. Reuters -
Miss Universe contestants congratulate Harnaaz Sandhu as she is crowned Miss Universe during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu walks on the stage among celebrations after being crowned Miss Universe 2021. EPA -
Miss Universe 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu from India speaks to reporters after winning the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss Universe second runner-up Lalela Mswane from South Africa reacts during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
The final three Miss Universe contestants, left to right, Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane; Miss India, Harnaaz Sandhu; and Miss Paraguay, Nadia Ferreira, pose on stage during the pageant. AFP -
US singer JoJo performs on stage during the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu during the swimsuit round of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane poses in the evening gown competition during the pageant. AFP -
US television host Steve Harvey asks Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu the final question during the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AFP -
Miss Universe 2021 contestants pose during the pageant. Reuters -
Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza appears during the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AP Photo -
Outgoing Miss Universe Andrea Meza of Mexico poses during the event. Reuters -
Miss France Clemence Botino poses during the swimsuit round at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss Puerto Rico Michelle Colon poses during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss Colombia Valeria Ayos poses during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. EPA -
Miss USA Elle Smith poses during the Miss Universe pageant. Reuters -
Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu and at the pageant. AFP -
Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira poses during the final round of the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AP Photo -
Miss Universe semifinalists pose on stage during the swimsuit competition of the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Israel's southern Red Sea coastal city of Eilat. AFP -
US television host Steve Harvey hosts the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant. AFP -
Judges Adriana Lima, left, and Lori Harvey at the 70th Miss Universe pageant. AP Photo
