At the MTV Video Music Awards on September 11, 2024, Thalia (right) wears a gown by Dubai-based Filipino designer Harvey Cenit (left).

Latin pop icon Thalia was in full bloom on the red carpet of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), wearing a stunning metallic leather dress by Dubai-based Filipino fashion designer Harvey Cenit. Thalia, who rose to global fame in the popular TV series "Marimar," was among the celebrities who rocked this year’s red carpet—or black carpet—at UBS Arena in New York on Wednesday (September 12 in UAE). The show also featured Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, LISA and Olivia Rodrigo. Speaking about her gown before presenting the Best Latin award, Thalia said, “It reminded me a lot of my previous looks. When I started my career, everything was like these fabrics and the flowers and everything. So it was like I have to do something crazy and happy and here I am!” Speaking to Expat Media, designer Harvey Cenit said his metallic leatherette gown for Thalia took 240 hours to create, and that it was a mix of delight and surprise to see his favourite star rocking the outfit at the VMAs. “I was initially told she was going to use it for the Latin Music Video awards, but she ended up reserving the dress for a wider audience instead,” Cenit told Expat Media. He added that it was Thalia’s stylist who reached out to him on Instagram and that he was inspired to do a custom piece for the star. Cenit, a self-confessed Thalia fan, called his gown an “ode to Rosalinda”, referring to Thalia’s iconic character in the popular "Marimar" TV series. “It was year 2000 when aired way back in the Philippines. I was 14, a dreamer; looking forward to going home early from school so I wouldn’t miss an episode! I think every Filipino in that age can relate!” “As a young designer, I always wanted to dress her up, and I didn’t thought this was even possible way back. Now 24 years later, from Kawit, Medellin to the world, it’s a dream come true,” said Cenit, a native of Cebu in the Philippines. What did he feel when he saw Thalia in his gown? “I felt so happy. Very happy because I’m a huge fan and it was really nice talking to her. She is really kind and grateful. She followed me on Instagram, tagged me and commented on my post. What more can you ask, right?” Cenit said. Other Dubai-based designers also celebrated Cenit’s latest creation. Benj Dela Rosa of Calivo Couture told Expat Media: “As a friend and fellow fashion designer here in the UAE, what I admire most about Harvey Cenit’s creation for Thalia is his ability to craft a beautiful cabbage rose from such a thick and challenging material like metallic leather. The precision and skill it takes to work with such a tough fabric are truly impressive. Harvey’s ingenuity and creativity shine through in every piece he designs, and this creation is no exception.” MTV’s annual VMAs is known for bold fashion statements, a tradition that began in 1984 when Madonna famously performed “Like a Virgin” in a wedding dress at the inaugural event. This year, Artist of the Year nominee Sabrina Carpenter paid homage to that legacy by arriving in a strapless vintage Bob Mackie gown previously worn by Madonna to the 1991 Oscars. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift turned heads with a modern twist on the iconic yellow plaid outfit worn by Cher Horowitz in the '90s classic “Clueless,” reimagined with an edgier touch by Dior. ICA/PIA/Expat Media
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