14/08/2017
ABS-CBN News - Posted at Aug 14 2017 07:09 PM
MANILA – A crown made by a Filipino-American designer marked the start of the reign of Clarissa Bowers from Florida, who was named Miss World America 2017 on Monday (Manila time).
Bowers’ crown was designed by Jefre Manuel-Figueras, who was also one of the judges in the competition.
The Fil-Am artist more known as Jefre said his design is inspired by maps and globes.
Fil-Am artist Jefre shows the crown he designed for the Miss World America pageant. Handout photo
“I’ve always had an interest in maps and globes, how they are constructed and created. The crown will represent and celebrate different races, cultures, and views. It will become a symbol of global unity,” he said.
Prerna Nanda of Elementz by Prerna brought Jefre’s design to life using 2,367 diamonds and white sapphires, 97 hyro blue sapphires, and 382 grams of silver and white gold.
Jefre studied at the Art Institute of Chicago before receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University.
In 2007, he was named one of the seven “Faces of Design” by the Florida Inside Out architecture magazine for his environmental art and couture landscapes.
A year later, Jefre launched his own couture landscape and public art studio, focusing on environmental art, green roofs, boutique plazas, and parks and public art master plans.
ABS-CBN, Manila, 14.08.17
http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/08/14/17/fil-am-artist-designs-new-miss-world-america-crown