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As Miss Universe Canada 2003, one of the highlights of the year was participating in the Miss Universe 2003 Pageant in Panama City, Panama. As a Miss Universe Pageant delegate, I was obligated to meet certain requirements in order to compete in the international pageant. In addition to preparing for the competition by learning about media relations, interview skills, hairstyling, makeup techniques, fashion and wardrobe coordination, I was also obligated to bring to Panama a national costume and an official evening gown. The pageant preparation and finding a national costume were well under way, and I knew that in order to compete at an international level, in a pageant that would be televised, I would have to bring a spectacular evening gown. I had visions of elegance and sophistication, yet I needed to find a designer who would be willing to take on the challenge of creating a competition evening gown. The task of considering designer proposals was not at all easy, since I wanted to work with someone who I could trust and rely on. The designer who demonstrated integrity and motivation was Antoniette Catenacci. Once selecting this designer for my official competition evening gown, I could not have predicted how satisfied I would be with the design, or how much I would grow to respect her. Working with Antoniette Catenacci has been a wonderful experience. When choosing a designer to create my competition evening gown for the Miss Universe 2003 Pageant, I wanted to be sure that the designer would be willing to work with my ideas and insight in mind, yet be original and uninhibited at the same time. Antoniette was chosen among other designers for a number of reasons. Not only do her designs speak for themselves, but Antoniette also brings a sense of warmth to her creations. Her commitment to the client (in this case an over-zealous national titleholder whose dress would be seen by millions of people world-wide. Yikes!!) is remarkable, and her motivation, dedication and true commitment to her creations are evident to anyone who knows her or who has been lucky enough to work with her. Antoniette has a unique eye for detail that enhances her craftsmanship and expertise. As Miss Universe Canada 2003, I was anxious to work with someone professional and respected in her field. To give you a brief idea of how committed Antoniette can be to her work, she once came to the Miss Universe Canada office in downtown Toronto for a meeting to discuss the design of my competition evening gown. I wanted to show her some pictures that captured the ideas and styles I was looking for, in order to incorporate them with her own design ideas. We had searched numerous pageant and fashion photos before realizing that the sun had already set, night had fallen, and there was no one left in the office building. Everyone else had long left for the day. Nearly five hours had passed! Antoniette's husband phoned her numerous times during our now late-night meeting, in hope that she would soon be home. Yet we ventured onward until we had an understanding about what her new design would encompass. It was that night when I first realized the sheer determination and professionalism with which Antoniette works. When Antoniette's design was complete she mapped it out on a canvas. I was so excited to see that even the canvas copy of the gown, once fit to size, was shaping up to look elegant. We decided on the gown color as a conjoined effort before she scouted out the most beautiful fabric to capture the essence of her design idea. The French chiffon she chose was just as I had hoped it would be. It flowed so beautifully! Before the delicate fabric was cut, we finalized the design once and for all, from the layering of fabric to the placement of the soft pink feather detailing. Antoniette noticeably has a very gentle style and pays great attention to detail. She was determined to work long hours until all of the tiny pink feathers were perfectly placed and sewn onto the gown. Once the competition evening gown was finished, Antoniette even designed a little matching purse with beaded handle, pink feathers and all! The evening gown created by Antoniette has certainly taken on characteristics of its very own. In the way that it flows, by the way that it hugs, by the essence it emanates. Needless to say, being involved with the process of creating a gown from start to finish was quite an adventure. Seeing a sketch design on paper being carefully constructed into a life-sized reality of a once-faint idea was simply amazing. She took the ideas from the pencil-smeared paper and breathed life into the creation by using time, endurance and sincere determination to mould and craft the beautiful gown. In addition to creating my competition evening gown, Antoniette also designed a beautiful three-piece suit for my personal interview with the judges at the Miss Universe 2003 pageant. The yellow butter cream-colored suit made by Antoniette distinctly captured the look I wanted; class, sophistication, and individuality. I knew that I would have to make an incredible first impression on the judges, and wear something that would personify my confidence level. From the moment I walked through the door of the interview room, all eyes were on the silhouette of my crisp yellow suit. By the time I left the judging panel, I knew that the yellow suit made a necessary lasting impression on the judges. When competing with 71 other delegates, who wore predominantly cocktail dresses for their interviews, my unique and professional look definitely stood out from the crowd. Furthermore, I have realized over the past months that Antoniette is a very generous person. She has offered, on numerous occasions, for me to wear any of her creations for personal appearances or official events as Miss Universe Canada. Her beautiful matching accessories have also been available for me to wear, which have come to furnish many of my outfits for the Miss Universe Pageant 2003 in Panama, international competition in Colombia, and events right here in Canada. I have learned over the months that accessorizing is key to completing any look. Speaking of accessories, Antoniette has a jewellery designer on staff who creates pieces to complement her work. The jewellery made for my competition evening gown and interview suit, worn at the Miss Universe 2003 competition, was designed and created by Annie. Annie has been very helpful in completing my outfits designed by Antoniette, by providing insight and expertise when it comes to finalizing a specific look. Many thanks to Annie for her time commitment to my unique pieces, and for her advice and creativity when planning the accessories. Overall, I would not have achieved such success in my role as Miss Universe Canada 2003 without the help of numerous supporters. Thank you Antoniette, for your insight, your endurance and a job well done.
Leanne Marie Cecile |