THE SUN IS HERE! RABIYA MATEO STANDS OUT IN MISS UNIVERSE 2020 EVENING GOWN
Written by Cheska Alferez
The sun is here! Rabiya Mateo stands out in Miss Universe 2020 evening gown. Rabiya Mateo dazzled in a yellow gown by Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne Amato during the Miss Universe 2020 preliminaries evening gown show.
Rabiya owned the color yellow as she emerged in a one-shoulder tulle gown encrusted with Swarovski crystals after walking in the swimsuit segment in a yellow bikini.
Amato said that the gown is inspired by the Philippine sun.
Amato said the evening gown is a representation of the sun, which symbolizes happiness, strength & vitality.
“Even at 93 million miles away, it warms, illuminates and energizes us, making us feel our best and our brightest.”
“The dramatic and fitted silhouette adds interest and pizzazz on its own. The cape added royalty to the gown, and its beadwork was inspired by the radiance of the Philippine sun which symbolizes positivity and optimism. A hope for a new tomorrow, a world with endless beauty and happiness,” the designer explained on Instagram, where he posted more photos of the gown in detail.
In a teaser video, Amato spoke about a sun rising at the Miss Universe stage, giving a hint to pageant fans of the inspiration for Mateo’s long gown.
“We may [have missed] the sun yesterday, but today, she’s more than ready to shine even brighter — beaming with hope and optimism for the Philippines,” the caption read.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray tweeted her support for Rabiya, saying, “Our girl literally said: ‘No sun in my natcos? I am the sun,'” – referring to Rabiya being criticized for not wearing her sun-inspired headpiece in the national costume show the previous day.
Pageant supporters were not surprised by Rabiya’s choice of color, considering the previous two Filipina Miss Universe winners wore the other colors of the Philippine flag when they won. Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015, chose royal blue, while Catriona wore red.
