History was made at the 71st Miss Universe pageant when Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel became the first Filipino-American to be crowned Miss Universe. It’s only fitting that Gabriel’s history-making win was memorialized with a crown by the internationally-acclaimed jewellery company, Mouawad. Not only is Mouawad a favourite jeweller of royal families and celebrities alike, but it’s also the fourth time that the jewellery firm has created a prestigious Miss Universe crown.
Each crown is designed with the finest diamonds and gemstones to convey the important messages of the pageant. This year, the high jewellery company was appointed with the responsibility of designing a crown to fit the theme “Force for Good.” We sat down with Mr Fred Mouawad, a fourth-generation co-guardian and spokesperson of the jewellery company, to discuss what innovative storytelling techniques were used to convey this message.
How was this year’s theme, “Force for Good,” articulated in the structure of the crown?
Mr. Fred Mouawad: The structure features elements that reflect this year’s theme of Force for Good. The design symbolizes the dynamics at play when taking action to bring about any fundamental change. The main motifs of the crown are rippling waves, and these represent the need for any call for change to be repeated at a high frequency across time and to various audiences. It is the gathering of these waves – or calls for change – that builds the momentum necessary for any change to emerge. There is another element to the crown that symbolizes how change is usually met with some resistance, because there will always be stakeholders with a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. This is symbolized by abstract motifs at the base of the crown representing a serpent’s head. Ultimately, these threats to change are overpowered by the rippling waves, leading to victory for the Force for Good.
Could you describe the significance of using blue sapphire?
FM: The ultimate goal of change for good is represented by a 45.14-carat royal blue sapphire that stands high and victorious at the peak of the crown. Blue as a colour has many positive connotations, such as honesty, truth, authenticity, nobility and hope. Here, blue sapphire is emblematic of all this and the hope for a brighter future brought by making a positive impact on society.
What qualities do the diamonds symbolise?
FM: For the Force for Good Crown, we selected white diamonds to symbolize the status quo. This is why diamonds are set around the base of the crown in its entirety, symbolizing the bedrock of society. The abstract serpent motifs are also set in white diamonds to demonstrate they thrive under present conditions and will maintain their resistance to change.
What does the contrast between the blue sapphire and the white diamond represent?
FM: The crown is designed to show a gradient of colour that changes gradually from the white diamonds around the base toward the deepest blue of the centrepiece sapphire at the peak. Through this gradient, we illustrate that change rarely happens quickly. It’s often a slow process that requires persistence and a sustained effort, with change materializing gradually over time. As our eyes move upward from the base of diamonds representing the status quo, the white colour begins to change to a light blue and then increases in intensity as we move ever upward to a royal blue, representing the pinnacle of our aspirations and the victory of bringing positive change.
How has the Mouawad brand’s interpretation of the Miss Universe’s crown evolved over the years?
FM: Our partnership with the MISS UNIVERSE Organization began in 2019. The first crown that arose from this was the Power of Unity, which championed the power of women to make a difference when they unite. The Force for Good Crown is actually our seventh to date for the organization and its branches, as in addition to both the first Power of Unity Crown and the newest Force for Good Crown for the international competition, we also crafted the Power of Positivity for Miss USA, the Power of Hope for Miss Teen USA and three crowns to date for Miss Universe Thailand.
Each crown that we craft for The MISS UNIVERSE Organization is inspired by the values of the organization and carries a message with the intention of inspiring others to make a positive change for a better self and a better world. This is a constant that unites all of these creations. However, the timing of the new Force for Good crown also heralds a new era for the MISS UNIVERSE Organization, under the new ownership and vision of Khun Anne Jakkaphong and her company JKN Global.
