Internationally celebrated Filipino fashion designer Louis Pangilinan made a major impact on the global pageant stage as he joined the esteemed panel of judges for the Miss Globe 2025 Finals, which took place in Albania. Thailand’s Chayathanus Saradatta took home the crown, while the Philippines’ Annabelle McDonell secured a spot in the Top 11, continuing the country’s streak of placements in the international competition. Pangilinan's involvement elevated the glamour and prestige of the competition, further highlighting the influence of Filipino artistry in the world of fashion.
In a notable dual role, Pangilinan has also been tapped to design several key wardrobe pieces for the event. He dressed the candidates for the Top 21 Fashion Dress, the Top 11 Evening Gown, and the Top 5 winner for the Final Pictorial. This selection underscores his renowned craftsmanship and commitment to showcasing world-class Filipino creativity on an international platform.
Reflecting on his invitation to serve as both an official judge and designer, Pangilinan shared his excitement and gratitude. “Right now, it still feels surreal. Of course, I’m more than happy. Words cannot explain how I feel right now. I know that little Louis is proud,” he said, expressing heartfelt pride in achieving a milestone that once seemed like a distant dream.
Representing the Philippines on such a prestigious stage carries special significance for Pangilinan. “Like what I always tell, as a Filipino this is a testament and a true story of a once a dream, now a reality moment. It feels like it’s not only my dreams were fulfilled, but every great Filipino dreamer’s dream out there. The honor is mine to carry the Philippines on the international stage,” he remarked.
With extensive experience designing for numerous pageants, Pangilinan believes Miss Globe offers something uniquely meaningful. “I know every pageant has their own goal and advocacies, but as The Miss Globe is more connected to me, it sets itself apart from other international competitions because it emphasizes international travel and cross-cultural interaction. Additionally, it highlights the candidates' dedication to humanitarian concerns such as healthcare and education, inspiring them to take part in altruistic endeavors to advance social justice,” he explained.
As for his designs for the Miss Globe 2025 competition, Pangilinan promised to infuse each piece with Filipino creativity and distinctiveness. “May it not be about the textile or Filipino fabrics, but the unique elements we can see with my collection are the characteristics of a Filipino creative. I always put how detail-oriented and dedicated Filipinos are into their crafts—the creativity, the passion that celebrates diverse beauty, where each unique charm shines like a garden of blooming flowers, each with its own vibrant colors,” he said.
Looking ahead, Pangilinan envisions his involvement as an opportunity to contribute to both the competition and the wider appreciation of Filipino fashion. “I always stay to my goal to aim for sustainability, transparency, creativity, and recognize what people want: the status elements, the clothes that help them express themselves, and communicate who they are,” he noted.
Ultimately, Pangilinan’s aspiration is to create designs that resonate on a global scale while bringing joy to those who wear them. “Most importantly, my ultimate goal for any design I launch or make is not just to solve a problem, but to also make people wear them happy. And I assure that my design involvement in the future gives the global stage that extra layer of assurance that in creating wide range of materials, colors, patterns, and styles that keeps up with time,” he concluded, marking another proud moment for Filipino talent on the world stage.