There is a hugh hue and cry about the win of Miss Ecuador in Miss Earth 2016.  One of the points given against Miss Earth is that Miss Ecuador Katherine Espin was given the gown of Miss Philippines Imeldi Schweighart only because it was known in advance that she will win.  Finally the designer of the gown, Leo Almodal has came out about the matter, by posting on his Facebook timeline.  Here is his explanation:

The Truth. The other side of the coin…
the yellow gown was part of my collection it was made for my upcoming international fashion shows and high fashion editorial video. I wanted to produce a book-catalog that im planning to launched next year inspired from fairytales and Mythological Goddesses. Originally that gown is called “artemis” the moon goddess…
I was requested by Imelda’s training camp to dress her up and without hesitations I said Yes. I chose that design because it suits their color requirement and styling. To set and clarify things; Imelda or anyone from her camp has not given or paid me a single peso for that gown. That yellow gown is technically my property and just letting her borrow it for Miss Earth pageant; that if she makes it to the top 16. As the owner it will be under my discretion to whom it will be used. Since she did not make it to top 16 and not competing for the evening gown segment and unfortunately I didnt finish the gown of Ecuador on time… My team made that decision to dress her up in that yellow gown. It was actually a blessing in disguise. I believe that things happens for a reason and checking the fit, length and style of the gown; it suits Katherine perfectly. Before dressing up Katherine I sent Imelda messages in facebook to take down the photos and videos but she never listened… she posted it after she did not make it to the top 16 cut. I actually begged her… she was not ripped or robbed; The gown was not taken away from her and she was asked nicely… Technically it’s MINE; and I dont want that masterpiece to go to waste. I want to show it to the world because that gown is made for that porpuse… Contrary to her statement that she has nothing to wear is an absolute LIE!!! I provided her with a beautiful red gown but she smiled and refused to wear it, saying that it looks like Miss Belgium’s gown and opted to borrow from miss Guam instead…

Miss Ecuador Katherine is my client and she ordered her gown last minute. Basically for orders it has to be 3 months prior of the event but since she was reffered to me by Angelia and few of my friends told me that she’s the front runner of Miss Earth and she was very nice to me; I didn’t refuse her order and tried to do the impossible ( I want the the next Miss earth to be an Almodal Muse and having 5 front runner miss earth queens in Almodal masterpiece competing for the crown gives me a bigger chance to win it again) I thought that it is possible to finish it if i wont sleep for days… Sad to say I failed and that’s a lesson learned… I Cried a lot on that day because i really wanted to go to the pageant and support my muses. feeling so miserable and depress stock with an unfinished gown and still trying to finish it… Now, i have hundreds of people asking me what happened; i actually dont want to say a thing anymore but it has completely gone out of control and i have tell everyone the truth…
Katherine is unaware of the issue not until imelda posted the videos of her vulgar demeanor and bitter statement in social media…
I wish this made things clear… Thank You…