The silver-and-white Val Taguba gown with light, flowy attachments that 2025 Miss Universe third runner-up Ahtisa Manalo showcased on the finale stage in Thailand earned gasps from delighfully surprised spectators. And the ensemble came with matching custom-made shoes.
Filipino shoe designer Jojo Bragais crafted a unique pair of crystal shoes made just for the seasoned pageant queen. ‘Ahtisa messaged me, and talked to me. Sabi niya, ‘Kuya, gawan mo ako ng shoes’ (She said, make my shoes),’ he told Inquirer Entertainment in an interview.
Manalo was the only beauty queen he made clear straps for, and Bragais said the inspiration was from years ago. He said he met the then 18-year-old lass from Quezon Province back in 2016 when she was thinking of joining Binibining Pilipinas.
‘She was in jersey shorts with a hole, and her shirt was loose. She looked shabby, you could tell she was not well off. But she’s beautiful. In my eyes she was Cinderella,’ Bragais shared.
‘Those crystal shoes were entirely her idea, although in my eyes she has been groomed by fairy godmothers,’ he added. Manalo’s stylist Patty Yap first approached Bragais for shoes to match the gown for the finale.
He said he did not see what the gown’s design would be, but was only told that it would be white with silver. ‘I told them if they wanted to use the Ahisa tribute design that I was not able to finish. So I sent them my execution, and they told me it was perfect for the finals,’ Bragais said.
The concept was from Manalo and her team, but the design itself was all from Bragais, he revealed. This resulted in a pair of crystal shoes with platforms, and clear straps with silver accents.
He asked Manalo and Yap about the overall aesthetic of the finale look, and how high the beauty queen wanted the heels to be. Bragais also made sure to make her legs look longer, and give the shoes thicker heels ‘for better balance.’
But style considerations were not the only factors that required a custom pair for Manalo. Bragais revealed that the queen has unique feet that may get difficult to find the perfect shoes for.
‘Her toes are long. She’s in the slim category and we don’t have that. Her foot’s length is for a size 8, but her width is only for a size 7, that is why it’s challenging to find the right pair for her,’ he shared.
For the swimsuit round, Manalo sported a modified version of the strappy heels named after 2024 Miss Grand International Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza, customized to fit her feet.
And avid pageant fans and aspirants may get to walk in the shoes that helped make the beauty queens’ dreams come true. Jojo Bragais, the brand, will throw a Christmas Clearance Sale where the items will be at their lowest prices ever.
Those interested in getting their own Bragais shoes may visit the flagship store on Scout Borromeo in Quezon City to catch the sale event from Dec. 11 to 17. Pageant titleholders are also expected to drop by to greet shoppers. /ra