On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the Holiday Inn Ciudad de México Trade Center hosted the final of the Concurso de Trajes Típicos de Mexicana Universal 2025, bringing together 13 trajes that showcased culture, history, beauty and talent (Mexicana Universal). The event featured a runway presentation evaluated by a judging panel, as contestants modeled cultural ensembles.
According to official event records published by Mexicana Universal, the evening’s panel of judges included professional makeup artist and Director Ejecutivo de Seicento Make Up School Emanuel Romero, fashion designer Kathia Fontini, fashion expert and CEO de Libdo Lucía Sotelo, Ericka Rodríguez of the Casa Hogar Kalimori, and stylist Roberto Coss. The competition served as a platform to select designs from the top 5 that will represent Mexico on international stages where the organization’s 4 national queens will compete.
The runway presentation was conducted by Mexicana Universal Internacional 2023 Valeria Villanueva and Mexicana Universal Hispanoamericana 2024 Daniela Cardona (Mexicana Universal). Organizers broadcast the competition via the Mexicana Universal YouTube channel.
Top Five Finalists and Regional Designers
Following the runway evaluations, the judging panel identified a top five. Each finalist design highlighted different states (Mexicana Universal).
The designated top five finalists included:
- Chihuahua: Designed by Bernardo Romero, titled “Centinela Tarahumara,” and modeled by Emma Campoya Magallanes, MxU Chihuahua 2023 (Mexicana Universal).
- Guerrero: Designed by Rafael Castrejón, titled “La Catrina de los Milagros,” and modeled by Lizeth Gochicoa, MxU Guerrero 2023 (Mexicana Universal).
- Jalisco: Designed by José Carlos Esquivel, titled “Rosa Mexicano,” and modeled by Natalia Garibay, Mexicana Universal Jalisco 2023 (Mexicana Universal).
- Michoacán: Designed by D’Anahi Delgados, titled “LA CATRINA DE LUZ,” and modeled by Patricia Rodríguez, MxU Michoacán 2023 (Mexicana Universal).
The Winning Design: Rosa Mexicano
Judges selected “Rosa Mexicano,” created by designer José Carlos Esquivel for the state of Jalisco, as the winner of the competition (Mexicana Universal). Worn on stage by Natalia Garibay, the garment drew inspiration from Mexican traditions, crafts, and customs.
According to design notes detailed by Mexicana Universal, the concept is inspired by papel picado, woven baskets, paper mats, amate paper, traditional sweets, cotton candy, pan dulce, and quinceañera dresses. The ensemble centers on the color “ROSA MEXICANO,” a tone based on the natural colors of the bougainvillea tree. The shade was identified by artist, writer, and fashion designer Ramón Valdiosera as a color that evokes an experience and serves as a symbol of feeling at home.
Significance for International Pageantry
Winning designs and top finalists from the showcase are selected to represent Mexico on international stages.
