By ROBERT R. REQUINTINA
BELIEVE it or not, the royal blue evening gown worn by Filipino beauty queen Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach when she won Miss Universe in 2015 is now worth over Php1 million.
This was revealed by its creator, Filipino designer Albert Andrada, during an exclusive interview in Tagaytay City recently.
“Without the Miss Universe title, it was roughly Php180,000-Php200,000. But with the Miss Universe title, it shot up to more than R1 million. I’m saying this because somebody offered to buy it and the (national) costume as well,” says Andrada.
Andrada says at least three individuals have offered to buy Pia’s gown, which is displayed at his shop in Makati City.
“I declined them all. They just emailed me saying they wanted to buy it. They are Filipino-Chinese I can’t sell it because it’s part of my life already. It’s part of my journey as a fashion designer,” says Andrada.
Creating a winning gown has been a game changer for him with lots of people now asking him to recreate Pia’s look.
“Everybody wants to be Pia (Wurtzbach),” he says. “They should understand that I don’t want to make a replica of the gown.”
Andrada is flattered many designers have copied the blue gown since.
“I am not offended mainly because most of them are simply celebrating the triumph of Pia as Miss Universe. That’s the closest they can get to experiencing the same feeling I did,” he adds.
Andrada still creates gowns for the Filipino-German beauty queen.
Asked if he is willing to dress up other beauty queens, Andrada says: “Yes, but it depends. I don’t want people comparing what I create for them with Pia’s gown. If it’s not for a competition, I would. But if it’s for competition, I don’t think I can.”
Andrada couldn’t tell what kind of gown reigning Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray should wear at the prestigious competition in December.
“I have to talk to her deeply first. That’s what I did for Pia. There has to be a story line. That’s what I also do with my other clients. There’s always a consultation first so I would know their personality and feel who they are before I make them a dress,” he adds.
Pia was crowned at the 64th Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec. 20, 2015. She is the third Miss Universe from the Philippines.
