Miss Universe 2021 contestants dazzle in designs from the Middle East

Demi-Leigh Tebow wearing Michael Cinco at the Miss Universe 2020 finals. Instagram
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Updated 17 May 2021
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Miss Universe 2021 contestants dazzle in designs from the Middle East

DUBAI:  Filipino couturier Michael Cinco seems to be a favorite when it comes to beauty pageants. Miss Universe fans will recall that the Dubai-based designer created the gowns that Pia Wurtzbach and Iris Mittenaere, who were crowned Miss Universe in 2015 and 2016, respectively, wore to take home the crown.

This year, he was tasked with designing the dresses of some of the contestants, such as Nova Stevens of Canada, for the Miss Universe 2020 finals, which took place on Sunday evening at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, South Florida.

He also designed the dresses that Miss Czech Republic Klara Vavrushkova and Romania’s Bianca Tirsin wore to the preliminaries on May 14.




Miss Czech Republic stunned in a Michael Cinco gown at the preliminaries. Getty Images

Stevens announced the news weeks ago by posting a photo with the renowned designer on Instagram.

 “Boss! Michael Cinco needs no introduction! So grateful to have you as my official gown designer for Miss Universe,” she wrote alongside a heart-eyed emoji.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by NOVA (@thenovastevens)

Stevens wasn’t the only designer to don a frock by the Dubai-based label during the televised Miss Universe 2020 finals.

Demi-Leigh Tebow, who won Miss Universe in 2017, channeled 1930s Hollywood glamour in a gown designed by the Filipino talent during the 69th edition of the pageant in Florida.




Olivia Culpo wore an embellished Zuhair Murad gown to host the Miss Universe 2020 competition. Getty Images

Tebow served as an expert analyst and correspondent during the event which was co-hosted by the Miss Universe 2012 titleholder Olivia Culpo and American actor Mario Lopez.

For the occasion, Culpo chose a design from Lebanese couturier Zuhair Murad. The fashion influencer opted for a pink, heavily-embellished gown with a single shoulder from the Arab designer’s Fall 2021 ready-to-wear collection.

Couturiers from our neck of the woods had a big night.

Rabiya Mateo, who represented the Philippines wore two glamorous creations by Dubai-based Amato for the preliminary show and for the finals.




Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo wore a gown designed by Amato at the 2020 Miss Universe prelimenary show. Supplied

In March 2021, it was announced that the annual competition would be returning with a live broadcast after a number of safety precautions were put in place.

 Twenty-six-year-old Andrea Meza from Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2020, while Miss Brazil, Julia Gama, was the runner-up and Miss Peru, Janick Maceta Del Castillo, secured third place.


Arab fashion spotted at Critics Choice Awards

Updated 05 January 2026
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Arab fashion spotted at Critics Choice Awards

DUBAI: Sunday night’s Critics Choice Awards, the first major gala of this year’s Hollywood awards season, played host to several creations from Arab fashion designers on the red carpet.

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph showed off a burgundy gown by Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward, hailing from his Fall/ Winter 2025 couture collection, while Kristen Bell opted for a black dress with lace panels by celebrity favorite Elie Saab.

The “Marty Supreme” actress Odessa A'zion glittered in a silver, sequined gown by Emirati brand OTT Dubai.

Sheryl Lee Ralph showed off a burgundy gown by Lebanese-Italian designer Tony Ward. (Getty Images) 

The brand, which has been sported by singers Mya and Leona Lewis in the past, dressed A’zion in a semi-sheer, floor-length dress with billowing sleeves and a peek-a-boo cutout.

A’zion’s co-star Timothee Chalamet’s Oscars campaign earned a major boost at the event as he scooped the best actor prize for “Marty Supreme,” AFP reported.

“Marty Supreme” actress Odessa A'zion glittered in a silver, sequined gown by Emirati brand OTT Dubai. (Getty Images) 

He defeated rival Leonardo DiCaprio, whose raucous political thriller “One Battle After Another” took the night’s top prize for best picture, as well as best director and best adapted screenplay for Paul Thomas Anderson.

In “Marty Supreme,” Chalamet plays a 1950s table tennis champion consumed by grand ambitions.

Loosely based on a true story, and benefiting from the Franco-American actor’s unique viral campaign, the film directed by Josh Safdie (“Uncut Gems”) has become an unlikely global hit.

Chalamet — the “Dune” superstar and two-time Oscar nominee who recently portrayed Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown” — rigorously trained in table tennis for the role.

The 30-year-old has in the past made no secret of his ambitions to win multiple Academy Awards, and will now be the frontrunner for the ceremony on March 15.

The awards bestowed by North America’s largest critics’ group could give movie campaigns much-needed extra momentum as Oscars voting nears.

This year, it took the coveted first weekend of awards season usually occupied by the Golden Globes, which will take place in Beverly Hills next weekend.

Jessie Buckley won best actress for her role as the tragic wife of William Shakespeare in period drama “Hamnet.”

Jacob Elordi won best supporting actor for his portrayal of the Monster in “Frankenstein,” which also won three technical awards, while Amy Madigan won supporting actress for a villainous turn in horror flick “Weapons.”

Netflix’s global mega-hit musical “K-pop Demon Hunters” won best animated feature and best song.

Period horror film, “Sinners,” which is also a major contender for many of this season’s top prizes, had to settle for best original screenplay, young actor, score, and casting and ensemble.