New Miss Universe's dress had a hidden inspiration behind it that you most likely missed

The dazzling dress Miss Universe wore to the finals had a hidden meaning.

Miss Universe, the most prestigious beauty pageant in the world celebrated its 67th edition on December 17, 2018, in Thailand.

The winner was Miss Philippines, Catriona Gray, and she captivated the judges and the audience with her beauty - and dazzled in an unusual evening gown, reported Time.com.

“The prominent and iconic Mayon Volcano is the penultimate inspiration for this creation.(...) Folk tales have it that it was named after the mythological heroine ‘Daragang Magayon’ (Beautiful Lady)."

Mak Tumang, Time.com, December 17, 2018.

STRIKING EVENING GOWN INSPIRED BY GEOLOGICAL FEATURE

The 24-year-old beauty had vowed that she would be using her looks to promote her country, and she kept her promise. Every outfit she wore for the duration of the pageant incorporated traditional fabrics from the Philippines and showcased the textiles on the world stage as desirable fashion materials.

But it didn't end with the fabrics, Catriona had her evening gown designed by Mak Tumang, and inspired by the Mayon volcano that overlooks her hometown, Oas, in Albay province.

THE BEAUTY GAMES HAVE THEIR GIRL ON FIRE

Tumang revealed that the native name for the volcano was "Daragang Magayon," which means "beautiful lady." The designer created a dazzling scarlet crystal lamé that incorporated the incandescent glow of molten lava, and the sinuous lines of the dress mimicked its fiery flow.

In the midst of the other contestants gold and silver-toned dresses, Catriona stood out like a girl on fire.

For the denizens of the Philippines, like Catriona Gray, volcanos are part of the landscape.

MOTHER'S DREAM INSPIRED THE FIERY COLOUR

Catriona confessed that she had chosen the color of her dress long ago. When she was just 13 her mother had had a dream that Catriona would win Miss Universe. In the dream, Catriona was wearing a red dress.

"When I was 13 my mom said she had a dream that I would win Miss Universe in a red dress.”

Catriona Gray

THE BEAUTY THAT SET THE UNIVERSE ON FIRE

From the beginning of the pageant, Miss Philippines had caught the public's imagination with her beauty and her intelligence, and was touted as "the girl to beat."

The Philippines are famous for the beauty of its people, and Catriona is the 4th Miss Philippines to be crowned Miss Universe.

She follows in the footsteps of her countrywomen Gloria Diaz, Miss Universe 1969, Margie Moran Miss Universe 1973, and Pia Wurtzbach Miss Universe 2015.

Read more on Twitter Amomama USA.

LIVING IN THE RING OF FIRE

For the denizens of the Philippines, like Catriona Gray, volcanos are part of the landscape. The Phillippines are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

The Ring of Fire is a 40,000 km horseshoe shape of almost continuous oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and clashing tectonic plates. The RIng contains 452 volcanoes, which is over 75% of all the active and dormant volcanoes in the world.

In January 2018, the skies over the Phillippines were tinted a spectacular orange and scarlet when Mayon erupted.

Nearly 15,000 people were forced to evacuate their villages in order to avoid the flow of Mayon's lava that inspired the creation of Catriona Gray's dress.

In a related story, a South American Miss Universe contestant revealed that a plastic surgery procedure nearly ended her career.