Cathriona dresses to impress at Universe contest
"I'm not nervous at all at the moment, but I probably will be when I get to the airport in the morning," the 23-year-old Miss Universe Ireland said last night ahead of her departure today for the grand final of the contest in Quito, Ecuador on June 1.
The trainee pharmacist from the south Dublin suburb of Dundrum was yesterday presented with two stunning Irish designer creations for the pageant, which is expected to attract a worldwide TV audience of more than one billion.
Dublin designer Darryn O'Kane was commissioned to create the evening gown Cathriona will wear on the night of the finals next month.
The sophisticated gown in chilli-red satin is high at the neck with a fishtail-style back.
"I feel amazing in it, it's really glamorous and I think it'll look really special on the night," the Miss Universe hopeful said.
A former student of Ravensbourne College of Art and Design in London, 26-year-old designer O'Kane is the son of Dublin-based costume designer Margaret O'Kane.
"This dress was designed around Cathriona's unique personality and style. I chose to accentuate her natural beauty by making a dress that would enhance her good looks with the least interference to her overall elegance and grace," he said.
A second outfit, which is to be worn in the National Costume section of the show, was presented to Ms Duignam by Cork-based designer Rose Cooney.
The dress, in satin and organza, features the national colours of green, white and gold with a butterfly bustier.
Cooney started her career as a hobby and has been living in Midleton for the past 30 years.
"Rose's costume is so beautiful, it'll be such a thrill to wear the national colours in the pageant," said Cathriona. Should she win the contest, Cathriona can look forward to a modelling contract in America worth around E175,000, as well as an apartment for a year in New York.
"I'd be so proud if I won, it would be such an honour to represent my country as Miss Universe," she said.
