Filipinos continue to make the country proud overseas as two of the Philippine’s world renowned designers, Michael Cinco and Furne Amato, who have also been major fames of the Miss Universe pageant, were among the top winners at the prestigious EMI Gala Fashion Awards, which took place on 14th July 2021 at the Hilton Hotel in Dubai.
Known for their dramatic design aesthetic, attention to details, and flair for luxury, Michael Cinco was hailed the Fashion Designer of the Year, one of the highest honors at the EMI Gala Fashion Awards presented by the Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards (DIAFA), meanwhile, Furne Amato bagged the award for International Fashion Designer of the Year and Fashion Innovator.
Michael Cinco is a unanimous name that surfaces in the couture industry as one the bests. Cinco has already designed the evening gowns of the country’s Miss Universe representatives in 2018 and 2019. For the 2020 edition Cinco designed for not just one but two countries, Canada and Romania.
In his acceptance speech, the designer remembered the hardship that took over the past year and dedicated his award to the people who were affected and suffered from the pandemic. “I’d like to share this award to all people who lost their lives, who had a difficult time during this pandemic,” he said. “But my heart is full of happiness tonight because in spite of the difficult and challenging time we are facing right now in the world, we are here gathered tonight celebrating life, hope, beauty, and fashion.”
On the other hand, Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One made his Miss Universe debut by dressing the Filipina beauty queen, Rabiya Mateo. With his flair for drama and exuberance, Furne definitely knows how to dress a queen. “Creativity doesn’t need much words. What’s important is that we are all safe, and we have to thank Dubai, the UAE, for making this place safe for everyone,” the designer said.
Two of the most celebrated designers of their generation, both Michael and Furne have dressed up a wide array of top celebrities and are known for dressing up international A-listers in showbiz, such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Mariah Carey, fashion and pageants. Led by Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards, EMIGALA is an annual awards ceremony highlighting the cultural diversity currently found in the UAE and celebrates distinctive people in the fashion industry.