Mikimoto

All posts tagged Mikimoto

A Mouawad crown fit for the next Miss Universe

Posted by Norman on September 18, 2019
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , , , .


You know that something is official when the Miss Universe Organization makes an official announcement about it. So the entry of Mouawad as the designer and maker of the next Miss Universe crown to replace the Mikimoto is already set in stone with the first of three creations debuting in the next 68th Miss Universe Pageant. The second and third head adornments will be unveiled during Miss USA 2020 and Miss Teen USA 2020.

Just a brief backgrounder on Mouawad:

Mouawad is a privately held Swiss and Emirati luxury goods, vertically integrated company that makes High Jewelry, and retail company that sources diamonds and gemstones, designs, manufacturers, and sells jewelry collections, objects of art, and luxury watches. The firm has headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, with a Middle East headquarters at Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai. Founded in 1891 in Beirut, Lebanon by David Mouawad, the firm is now led by 4th generation co-guardians Fred Mouawad, Alain Mouawad and Pascal Mouawad. The firm’s jewelry and watch design and manufacturing divisions are located in Switzerland and Asia Pacific.

So I’m pretty sure Miss Universe Catriona Gray will drop by the Dubai HQs of Mouawad during her visit to the UAE this week, and on that specific day when her itinerary was not made public.

Will the Mikimoto Crown return this year?

Posted by Norman on November 20, 2017
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , .



The Phoenix Mikimoto Crown, (Kanji: 御木本不死鳥王冠) also informally known as Mikimoto Crown

In a recent interview, Miss Universe Organization President Paula Shugart hinted that there is clamor for the return of the Phoenix Mikimoto Crown, (Kanji: 御木本不死鳥王冠) also informally known as Mikimoto Crown (left photo). Will we see its return to the pageant this year?

You will remember Oxana Fedorova (right photo) as the very first wearer of the said crown and was used by our favorite pageant till 2007 with Riyo Mori of Japan.

I know that the partnership between MUO and DIC has seen better days, so the possibility of Miss Universe 2017 not wearing it on November 26 is very likely.

Your thoughts, dear readers?

Sunday Senti Specials 2: The Classic and the Ultra-Modern Miss Universe Crowns

Posted by Norman on January 25, 2015
Posted in: 1 Pageant Pages, 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , , .

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This is the classic Miss Universe crown used for decades in the pageant. The one above was presented in honor of former Miss Universe President Harold Glasser who passed away last 2011.

image There is always an affected sentimental soul inside of me whenever I look at the old Miss Universe crown that has been used for decades before the evolution of the new ones changed hands from Mikimoto to Diamond Nexus Lab to the present maker, DIC Holding.

Aside from being the same crown worn by the Philippines’ two winners – Gloria Diaz and Margarita Moran – it also brings back memories of the past that have significantly molded my growing-up years as a pageant fan and chronicler. I can still remember trying my darndest best to look for one that closely resembled its shape and design, only to end up playing around with a cheaper alternative worn by my two sisters during their respective Santacruzan duties in the province.

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This is the new, shiny and sleek Miss Universe crown to be placed on the head of whoever will win in the Miami finals

image Now that we have a shiny new head adornment for the 63rd Miss Universe, it clearly beckons us all to move forward more aggressively and in a trajectory that looks into an ultra-modern pageant odyssey only our favorite worldwide beauty search can offer.

The first wearer of the DIC Holding crown will definitely feel the sense of woman empowerment that it brings. And it is my sincere hope that the 63rd will do her best to expand her reign even wider than what the 62nd so richfully served in hers. 🙂

Bea Rose Santiago and the “missing” Miss International crown

Posted by Norman on December 23, 2013
Posted in: 2 Shout-out-Looks. Tagged: , , , , .

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Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago (Photo credit: Bruce Casanova/OPMB Worldwide)

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Where is it?

People keep on asking why Miss International 2013 Bea Rose Santiago is only wearing a tiara and not the big Mikimoto crown associated with the pageant.

Well, fret not.

The real thing could not be transported to Manila right away as papers needed to be processed properly due to the amount of the crown.

At any rate, it will be on top of her head once the homecoming parade gets underway during the long holiday break.

So now you know that the titleholders do not get the actual head adornment to themselves, but just a cute replica (replete with Mikimoto pearls but a lot fewer in quantity) that will stay with the winner until she decides to have it disassembled to make personal jewelries out of the precious gems (just like what Miss International 1979 Melanie Marquez did with hers).