Jojo Bragais. Image: ARMIN P. ADINA
MANILA, Philippines—Jojo Bragais became a household name among international pageant followers when his footwear brand became the official shoe provider for the 69th Miss Universe pageant in 2021, with his “Jehza” design also getting a makeover with the groundbreaking multiple nude color options. But for his second year with the global competition, the ladies will appear in two of his styles, one of which has not been seen in other contests yet.
“When it comes to the designs, they asked me to present. This time there were only two designs, last time I presented four,” Bragais told the Inquirer in an exclusive interview over dinner at Victorino’s in Quezon City on Dec. 26.
For the 69th Miss Universe pageant, the competition ditched the platforms for the more streamlined “Jehza” style, named after 2018 Binibining Pilipinas-Supranational Jehza Huelar. Bragais and the organization also introduced three nude shades—cream, caramel and coco—to correspond to the delegates’ different skin tones, and for use during the swimsuit competition. Silver ones were used for the opening number.
This time, for the international pageant’s 71st installment, the ladies will parade in “Maureen,” named after 2021 Miss Globe Maureen Montagne. The design also ditches the clunky platforms, but the straps were strategically designed to make the legs look longer. The shoe debuted at the 2022 Bb. Pilipinas pageant, but Bragais decided not to release it commercially just yet. “I was planning to reserve it for Miss Universe. Because at that time they were hinting at having me again for the 2022 pageant,” he shared with the Inquirer.
Maureen will also get the color makeover that Jehza had. “We decided that it was good to continue the inclusivity that we pushed with the colors the last time, with the different shades of nude,” Bragais said.
He also shared that when he debuted the darker nude shades in 2021, he received messages from women of color, telling him, “Thank you so much, finally we feel like we’re included, there’s a shade of nude for us.”
The shoe empresario explained that he studied skin tones to arrive at the final colors he used for the shoes. “Darker skin tones have violet or reddish undertones, caramel is yellowish, and for cream there’s a pinkish undertone,” he said.
Bragais said the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) responded positively with the story behind the Maureen shoe, inspired by Montagne’s decade-long journey in pageantry. “They immediately approved it!” he exclaimed. The only aspect they debated upon was whether to use silver or gold for the opening number, which the styling team decided for the organization.
Miss Universe Philippines Celeste Cortesi. Image: ARMIN P. ADINA
But he also revealed to the Inquirer that another shoe design will be used in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. “This one has not been released before, and was also inspired by a beauty queen,” Bragais shared.
The Inquirer has no liberty to reveal the pertinent details of the new shoe design as of this writing, but Bragais said it will be used for the swimsuit competition. He also said the MUO did not say if the shoes will also be used for the preliminary competition or exclusively for the finals.
The first batch of 250 pairs of Maureen shoes have already been shipped to the United States. The second batch will be the new shoe design, and is already scheduled for delivery. Bragais said the delegates will have the shoes with them already in the first week of January for the “fitting” of the wardrobe pieces provided by sponsors. He also revealed that former Miss World Jacqueline Aguilera from Venezuela will design the swimwear, with colorful printed shawls to match.
The 71st Miss Universe pageant will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the United States, on Jan. 14 (Jan. 15 in Manila). Italian-Filipino model and realtor Celeste Cortesi will represent the Philippines. /ra
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