CJ Opiaza’s coronation gown was created in 3 days — Mak Tumang
CJ Opiaza. Image: Facebook/Miss Grand International
CJ Opiaza’s stunning gold and green gown during her coronation as the Philippines’ first Miss Grand International winner was made in just three days by designer Mak Tumang.
Opiaza’s ensemble perfectly complemented her green and gold crown which she got after officially succeeding Rachel Gupta of India as Miss Grand International 2024. Her emotional coronation at the MGI Hall of Bravo BKK in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday, June 3, was witnessed by MGI president Nawat Itsaragrisil.
The gown features a combination of off-shoulder and sweetheart neckline, with gold and green peacock feather-like pailettes on the neckline and hemline. It also includes an intricate combination of sequins and beads framing Opiaza’s physique.
“Miss Grand crowning ceremony gown for @cjopiaza created in just 3 days,” he wrote on Instagram, while attaching photos of how the gown was created. The designer also shared a photo of himself posing with Opiaza.
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The designer’s creation earned the praise of his followers in the comments, including beauty queens Chelsea Fernandez and Katrina Llegado, as well as Miss Universe Philippines executive vice president Voltaire Tayag and celebrity stylist Eldzs Mejia.
Screenshot from Mak Tumang’s Instagram post
Tumang was also the designer of Opiaza’s silver gown during the Miss Grand International 2024 coronation night, which featured a white cape and a rose gold belt.
The designer is beloved in pageantry for his out-of-the-box creations, among them his muse Catriona Gray’s iconic lava gown during her Miss Universe 2018 coronation, her Ibong Adarna-inspired preliminary gown, and her “reflection” gown when she passed her crown to her successor.
He also designed Ahtisa Manalo’s preliminary and coronation gowns during her Miss Cosmo 2024 stint. /edv
