Celeste Cortesi’s Outfits are Stories Inspired by Kids and Her Dad
Celeste Cortesi models a cape with handprints of kids. Meanwhile, a poem her late Italian father wrote is the inspiration behind her gown.
The Miss Universe fever is on! And the Philippines’ bet Celeste Cortesi continues to rock the competition as the finals approach. However, before the main event, Celeste took part in the all-important preliminary round on Thursday, January 12, Manila time in New Orleans.
One of the new changes in the competition is the addition of capes in the swimsuit round. Celeste had some help in designing her cape with the help of children close to her heart.
Imprints in My Hearts
During the swimsuit round where she sashayed in a pink two-piece swimsuit, Celeste Cortesi proudly showcased the cape with imprints of children’s hands. The handprints were done with the help of the kids from Marawi City under the care of Save the Children.
“In amplifying the voices of the children who need our help, I wanted to bring them with me on the Miss Universe stage,” Celeste said. “The imprints all over the cape remind me that having a title means having a purpose beyond myself. Having talked to some of the mothers of the children’s beneficiaries, I was reminded of my own Mother who struggled to provide for my sister and me.”
“Unfortunately, there are millions of children who live in poverty, amidst crisis. I hope that it inspires people to donate to Save the Children Philippines. There’s much work to be done and every single person’s help matters.”
The Sky blue Gown
For the preliminary evening gown competition, Celeste donned a sky blue gown created by US-based Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino. The gown holds special meaning for the Filipino-Italian beauty queen because of her father’s poem.
“In the poem, her father wrote for her, he writes that when he was holding her in his arms he knew her name would be Celeste. Celeste means heavenly and sky blue in Italian.”
For the national costume, Celeste paid tribute to the iconic female superhero Darna. Oliver Tolentino designed the costume with accessories and metalwork provided by Jerome Navarro.
JRB Creative Productions, the unit behind ABS-CBN’s show Darna starring Jane de Leon said that the late creator Mars Ravelo’s family gave its full support for Celeste to show to the international stage the story of the superheroine.
“The Ravelo extends their full support, gratitude, and excitement for the opportunity to show Darna to a global audience through our country’s Miss Universe representative,” the unit said.
The finals will happen on Sunday, January 15 Manila time. Jeannie Mai Jenkins and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo will host the show. Meanwhile, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall will provide backstage hosting.
Read more about every Philippine beauty queen’s inspiring journey:
Celeste Cortesi Reunites with Her Mother After Almost Three Years
What Chelsea Fernandez Wants People to Learn from Her Story as a Foster Child
How Gabby Basiano’s Late Mom Pushed Her to Be a Beauty Queen
