Reigning Miss Universe Sheynnis Palacios made her most awaited debut at the New York Fashion Week wearing a stunning creation by Filipino designer Rian Fernandez.

Fernandez, who also created former Miss Universe R’Bonney Gabriel’s final walk dress, exclusively designed the hand-embroidered ball gown for the Nicaraguan beauty queen.

“I’m bringing back the drop waist dresses, the ball dress with a drop waist. It’s a 1920’s design,” said Fernandez.

The designer’s collection was Hitechmoda’s New York Fashion Week finale.

Another Filipina designer, Grace Brucal, shared the runway with Fernandez, featuring the shiny “pinokpok” or pounded abaca, also known as Manila hemp. 

The Bicolana designer said this is also her way of giving back by creating jobs for her fellow Filipinos in Bicol province, who produce the fabric.

“Rian Fernandez is my inspiration,” said Brucal. “I saw his collection in 2019 and I knew he’s going to go big. I’m so proud that the dream of Rian came true.” 

Meanwhile, a young Filipino-American model also walked among the beauty queens in the runway for Krissy King Designs. 

Alessandra Frazzeta shared the runway with Miss USA Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA Umasofia Srivastava for the Bureau – a leading fashion week producer in the Big Apple.

The young Fil-Am has down syndrome, but that did not stop her from becoming a professional model, who has walked the runways from New York City to Paris.

 “Nobody’s teaching her. That’s all her,” said Alessandra’s mother, Elle. “I’m just here to support her whatever she wants to do. So far she’s been really getting offers and getting signed up.”

The designers said they will now be working on their next collection in time for the Fall fashion week, while models like Frazetta get ready to walk for the Dallas Fashion Week in April.