Catriona Gray might be the fourth Miss Universe from the Philippines but she is the first one to be crowned with the iconic Mikimoto crown.
Gray succeeded Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa and is the newest bearer of the popular headpiece which was designed by the former official jeweler of Miss Universe, Mikimoto & Co., Ltd.
The design of the Mikimoto crown was inspired by the legendary rising phoenix. The crown features seven feathers inspired by the Fenghuang phoenix which are made with yellow and white gold.
The crown is also covered with 18 carats of diamonds and 120 white South Sea and Akoya pearls giving a grand total weight of 29.7 carats.
Because of the expensive stones on the crown, it is estimated to cost around $250,000 or P12.5 million.
The crown was first used in 2002 until 2007. The Mikimoto crown was used once again in 2017 replacing the Diamonds International Corporation-made diamond and blue crystal crown — the one that was used to crown Miss Universe titleholders from 2014 to 2016, including Pia Wurtzbach.
Prior to Gray’s coronation, only seven former Miss Universe titleholders were crowned with the Mikimoto crown, namely Oxana Fedorova from Russia, Amelia Vega from Dominican Republic, Jennifer Hawkins from Australia, Natalie Glebova from Canada, Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico, Riyo Mori from Japan, and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters from South Africa.
Wurtzbach also wore the Mikimoto crown during her final photoshoot as Miss Universe 2015.
Aside from the Mikimoto crown on her head, Gray also won several other prizes as Miss Universe which include:
Year-long salary as Miss Universe;
– Luxury accommodation in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign – including living expenses;
– One-year supply of beauty products;
– Full shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry shoes and accessories;
– Modelling portfolio by leading fashion photographers;
– Skin and healthcare products;
– Extensive travel representing sponsors and charitable partners;
– Access to various events including casting opportunities, movie premiers, screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; and
– Personal appearance wardrobe and styling by the official MUO fashion stylist.
“Through the organization, the winner is provided a platform for possibility based on her objectives for the year. Alongside The Miss Universe Organization, she will plan how to achieve her goals on the national and global scale,” the Miss Universe Organization said.
