How LA-based Pinoy designer saved Pia Wurtzbach in evening gown competition

Better late than walking the stage in an ill-fitting dress.

Miss Universe Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach showed no hints of the wardrobe "emergency" she had the night before the preliminary competition of the Miss Universe 2015 pageant on December 16 (December 17 in Manila). 

News about the gown, which was designed by Oliver Tolentino, broke on Twitter after the competition. Tolentino purportedly received a "panicked" call a day before the competition. The people with Pia in Las Vegas informed him that the off-the-rack gown purchased by the Miss Universe organizers did not fit and they had no alternative outfit for the competition. 

Tolentino confirmed the story in his own Twitter account, saying that the gown was one of the nine he sent the Philippine team in Las Vegas from his recently opened Beverly Hills boutique. 

Pia's gown for #MissUniversePrelims was 1 she chose from 9 gowns I sent after they called me yesterday asking for emergency help with a gown

— Oliver Tolentino (@OliverTolentino) December 17, 2015

He added that he received the call while hitting the slopes in Aspen (Colorado), with photo proof.

Of course I took their emergency call for last minute help... even while on my ski vacation in Aspen. pic.twitter.com/TyCnr3Qnls

— Oliver Tolentino (@OliverTolentino) December 16, 2015

During the competition, Pia received loud cheers from the crowd as she confidently walked onstage—with most people unaware that she almost didn't have an evening gown to wear. —AT, GMA News