For beauty queens, aside from winning and carrying the prestigious title for a year ("Miss Universe"), there's also the feeling of privilege when it comes to wearing an iconic piece of jewelry: The Miss Universe crown. Since it started in 1952 there have been a total of 11 crowns worn by titleholders throughout the years, and each made it own mark in beauty pageant history.
Remember when the Miss Universe organization brought back the Mikimoto crown, to be worn by 2017 titleholder Demi-Leigh Tebow? Miss Universe 2015, Pia Wurtzbach, was given the chance to wear it for her last official photo shoot for Miss Universe on January 2017 and called it a "dream come true".
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray also had the chance to wear the iconic crown during her homecoming parade—but ended up accidentally breaking it! She explained the story behind the broken crown in an interview: "There was a moving band and they have the drums, and it [made] me want to dance, so I end up dancing, even though I’m not a very good dancer...The Mikimoto has seen better days as a result of my dancing," she admitted while holding up a piece of the crown’s jewel. The piece of the Miss Universe crown fell off during the homecoming parade, and there’s even a clip of her handing the piece of the crown to a Miss Universe executive (oops!).
However, in 2019 the Miss Universe organization announced a change in their crown provider, switching from Mikimoto to Mouawad. The Power Of Unity Crown made it debut at the 68th Miss Universe competition, first worn by 2019 titleholder Zozibini Tunzi.
And now, Mouawad has unveiled a new crown: The Force For Good Crown will be worn by the upcoming Miss Universe 2022, and is valued at approximately USD 5.75 million (P316M based on current exchange rates).
Featuring 108.44 carats of pear-shaped blue sapphires surrounded by 48.12 carats of white diamonds, the design is ripe with symbolism: It evokes the organization's belief in a future "forged by women who push the limits of what's possible, and the incredible women from around the world who advocate for positive change." Fred Mouawad, 4th Generation Co-Guardian, shares.
"Gems are set in rippling wave motifs, that reflect the need for any call for change to be repeated across time, and to various audiences in order to build the momentum necessary for this change to emerge. The ultimate goal of change for good is represented by a 45.14 carat royal blue sapphire, that stands victorious at the peak of the crown."
"In contrast, reflecting the point that significant change does not happen in an instant, but only after a sustained effort over time, the base of the crown is set with diamonds symbolizing the status quo. As the eye moves upward from the base, the color gradient changes from the glistening white of diamonds to the warm blue of sapphires, deepening in intensity towards the pinnacle of the crown, where the deep royal-blue color of the ultimate sapphire symbolizes goodness and hope for a brighter future."
"The crown also reminds us that there is seldom change without resistance. Stakeholders with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo will try to prevent change, represented by abstract motifs emulating serpent heads around the base. These are outnumbered and dominated by the rippling waves above, as ultimately the force for good emerges victorious."
The crown represents the new era of the Miss Universe Organization after Thai media tycoon Anne Jakrajutatip, owner of JKN Global Group, bought the franchise in October 2022 for $20 million (around P1.1 billion). This marks the first time that the prestigious pageant will be owned by a woman in its 71-year history. A new crown for a new era: In change lies the force for good.
READ MORE ABOUT MISS UNIVERSE HERE:
The Miss Universe Crowns Through The Years
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