Fashion designer Leo Almodal found himself trending after criticizing in a now-deleted post the gown of Miss Grand Philippines Christine Juliane “CJ” Opiaza during the Miss Grand International 2024 coronation night.
CONGRATULATIONS, CJ, WE’RE PROUD OF YOU! 🤩💖 Miss Universe Philippines Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag and Miss…
Posted by Philippine Star on Friday, October 25, 2024
The evening gown worn by CJ during the event in Bangkok, Thailand, where she was hailed first runner-up was designed by Pampanga-based couturier Mak Tumang. He is also known for crafting Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray’s iconic “lava gown.”
🇵🇭
Posted by Mak Tumang on Friday, October 25, 2024
On the other hand, Leo curated the gold evening gown of Miss Grand Colombia bet Angelica Valero, who placed in the Top 15.
Following the event, Almodal took to social media to express his disapproval of Opiaza’s gown, highlighting specific details he believed detracted from the beauty queen’s appearance.
“Whoever designed CJ’s gown… First of all, I am very forgiving and easily pleased with other designer’s work but her dress is wrong in so many aspects,” Almodal wrote.
He went on to critique elements such as the gown’s fit and pattern, which he claimed did not flatter the beauty queen’s figure,
“Una, Nagmukhang flat ang dibdib. Anong nangyari? Pwede naman maglagay ng seamless pads. The torso looked long and straight. Nawala curves ni CJ dahil mali ang patterns ng lines. Nagmukhang tuod,” read Almodal’s criticisms.
He added that the gown made Opiaza’s torso appear “long and straight,” allegedly hiding her curves and making her look shorter than other contestants.
“The design should emphasize and enhance the curves and not the other way around,” suggested Almodal.
His critique also took aim at specific features of the gown, questioning the addition of a rose gold belt and the gown’s length, which he believed made Opiaza appear shorter.
“[M]aiksi ang gown and she wore short heels (para hindi bitin tingnan?) at nagmukha syang pandak itabi sa ibang candidates. [S]an nanggaling and rose gold na belt? Biglang sumulpot and out of place?” he questioned.
Although Almodal has already removed his post, screenshots of his remarks circulated widely on social media.
Aside from recently replacing his Facebook profile picture with the caption, “Choosing Love… Always 💕🫶”, Tumang has not issued any statement regarding the controversy, as of writing.
