BGC, Philippines — Miss Universe 2015 titleholder and award-winning fashion influencer Pia Wurtzbach starred in her first-ever bridal runway show. The feat was achieved at the recently concluded Marry Me at Marriott 10th anniversary, and Wurtzbach walked the runway in support of Filipino international couturier Bessie Besana.
Besana, an applauded New York-based Filipino fashion designer and the force behind the recently launched New York-founded runway show series Filipinxt, has been celebrating 12 years of friendship with the beauty pageant icon, actress and model– as he shared in an interview with STYLISH after the fashion show last night.
On March 24, 2023, Pia got married to travel entrepreneur Jeremy Jauncey on the secluded North Island of Seychelles wearing a frilled Bessie Besana bridal gown in color pearl.
Meanwhile, Bessie also shared a story about his long-time friendship with newly-crowned and current Miss Universe Philippines 2024 titleholder Chelsea Manalo. The new Filipina Miss Universe titleholder opened the Marry Me bridal runway show for Besana last night.
“Chelsea won (the Miss Universe Philippines) this year, but we’ve been friends since she was 15 (years old). I was even part of her ‘18 treasures’ when she celebrated her ‘debut.’ This is a milestone for the both of us that she was able to walk for me,” Bessie narrated to STYLISH.
Filipina women are accustomed to celebrate their 18th birthday, or commonly known as “debut,” in a grandest way possible as a milestone party about being an official and grown woman — which includes the ceremonial 18 roses with a dance segment with 18 special male friends and family members of hers, 18 candles from 18 female friends and loved ones, and 18 treasures from 18 friends.
Besana shared how it felt like to finally conclude his first-ever Marry Me bridal fashion show after his busy Filipinxt debut in New York in May 2024.
“It’s actually a little bit bittersweet because I’ve been preparing for this for quite some time. We all knew that I came from New York for this one. And lalo pa na nag-biyahe ko for this one (Especially since I traveled back home for this one).”
“But it’s been a dream of mine to do ‘Marry Me’ and when I finally got invited, I am, more than anything (honored)… I just said yes, because I know that this is a designer’s dream,” he said.
Filipinxt is preparing to unveil its second global runway show on September 7, 2024 in New York.
Images by Lyma “Elle” Uy for STYLISH MAGAZINE | Pia Wurtzbach & Chelsea Manalo for Filipino fashion designer Bessie Besana’s Marry Me at Marriott 10 x Filipinxt collection on July 19, 2024
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