“I feel comfortable with this shoot. Usually in other shoots, I have to be more calculated with every move I make, but here I am more at ease, this is more me,” said Miss World Philippines 2024 Krishnah Gravidez during her fashion shoot with TheDiarist.ph. It was quite touching that she said that. The shoot must have felt like a welcome respite from the pageant itself since it was not pageant-centric. Rather, it was more about Krishnah.
This 24 year-old Baguio native won Miss World Philippines 2024 last July which qualifies her to compete in the Miss World pageant set for first quarter of 2025. Even if the Miss World Organization has yet to release the exact date and venue, Gravidez is already busy preparing and psyching herself up for the day, but at the same time trying to pace herself to avoid burn-out. She’s basically enjoying every moment and opportunity that comes her way, whether it be a red carpet event like the Red Charity Gala or this fashion shoot.

Women’s sports top, BENCH Active; beige stretch crepe serpentine skirt, Joel Escober; metallic gold bangles and earrings, Golden Monstera
Luckily, it was a sunny day during the shoot, the rays illuminating Nobu restaurant’s warm, earth-toned interiors—the ideal ambiance we were after. With an interesting fashion mix of custom-made creations of Joel Escober and BENCH Active wear, with accessories from Siargao-based jewelry brand Golden Monstera, we sought to create soft elegance, a contrast from the usual overly made-up beauty queen aesthetic.

Taupe sports top, BENCH Active; metallic clip-on earrings, Golden Monstera
“Photographing a beauty queen in such an intimate setting with a small team gave me the chance to see her human side,” photographer Lem Atienza said, “I love capturing people beyond their usual public persona.”
As songs of Ariana Grande played constantly—she’s one of Gravidez’s favorite singers—Gravidez’s warm personality shone brighter, making the glam team very at ease. “I’m grateful to have captured Krishna as her authentic self—not just as a beauty queen,” Atienza added.

White tank top, BENCH Active; boyfriend jeans, BENCH; metallic choker, Golden Monstera; snakeskin heels, Gucci
Though Gravidez is more used to doing pageant-centric shoots, she didn’t find much difficulty in transitioning to a more fashion-leaning one. Apparently, being able to adapt quickly is perhaps one of Gravidez’s admirable traits.
Back in 2023, Gravidez competed in Miss Universe Philippines, where she was considered one of the strongest favorites to win that year. She trended also at that time because of her waist-illusion beaded gown designed by Rian Fernandez—she slayed the catwalk. Gravidez didn’t win that night, but was assigned to compete in a minor international pageant nonetheless. But because the venue and date of this pageant kept on being postponed, Gravidez decided to relinquish this title to pursue other things. “It was hard to prepare for something if you don’t really know if the competition would go through or not,” Gravidez said.

Lesley Mobo x BENCH graphic tee; soft leatherette black skirt in serpentine cut, Joel Escober; gold brass and pearl earrings, Golden Monstera
She then decided to compete in Miss World Philippines 2024, and won. Since Miss World is one of the top two major pageants, along with Miss Universe, and also the oldest (started back in 1951; Miss Universe was 1952), it is definitely more reputable, and established, with notable winners like Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai (1994), Bollywood and now Hollywood celebrity Priyanka Chopra (2000), to name a few.
The reigning Miss World is the statuesque Krystyna Pyszková from the Czech Republic whom TheDiarist.ph featured earlier this year. The Philippines has only one Miss World winner, Megan Young, who won in 2013.

Women’s sports top, BENCH Active; beige stretch crepe serpentine skirt, Joel Escober; metallic gold bangles and earrings, Golden Monstera
But competing in Miss World is entirely different from competing in Miss Universe. Miss World is not necessarily all about physical beauty—or who has the best catwalk, fiercest look, overall stage presence, etc. Miss World is not only about the appearance, but also about the inner personality. The pageant’s motto is “Beauty with a Purpose,” which started in 1971—it drives home the charity side of the pageant, and has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for disadvantaged children worldwide. This, however, is no ordinary charity; the winner travels around the globe helping raise funds for children’s charity and helping in its other causes. It is no easy, glamorous stint.

Lesley Mobo x BENCH graphic tee; soft leatherette black skirt in serpentine cut, Joel Escober; Palawan black lip pearl earrings, Golden Monstera
“I can truly say that the Miss World preparations are way different. It challenged me holistically,” Gravidez said.
She added that it’s the paradigm shift that has helped her the most. “Before, I was only thinking about winning the competition itself but now, realizing how beautiful and progressive the platform of Miss World is, I am more determined because I’m doing this not only to bring pride to our country, but thinking that even after the competition, I will go back, pursue, and fulfill the commitment I have for my causes.”
If she wins the country’s second Miss World crown she would be able to elevate her advocacies, explore bigger possibilities of making positive changes, and to be a part of the legacy of Miss World.
Each year the Miss World contestants present their Beauty with a Purpose project—all running their own charity, and running their own projects.
That is why Gravidez is now focused on silently working on firming up her Beauty with a Purpose (BWAP) project—to help children specifically in her hometown of Baguio. “To fulfill my commitment in bringing positive change through the value of KINDNESS, we started in my community in barangay Irisan, Baguio City, where we are planning to install water tanks in seven daycare centers which cater to over 400 children,” Gravidez said.
Gravidez also plans to launch an interactive children’s book with illustrations done by a youth from Tondo, Manila.
Aside from her BWAP project, Gravidez is also an advocate of animal welfare. “I grew up in a very compassionate family which taught me to be kind to animals. My whole family of farmers rescues cats and dogs. She has eight dogs, one of them a rescue. She also volunteers in animal welfare organizations such as Passion Project and Biyaya Animal Care.

That’s a wrap! Photographer Lem Atienza takes a selfie with the rest of TheDiarist.Ph glam team after the shoot.
But, of course, she is still competing in a beauty pageant, that is why she’s started planning her wardrobe and to meet other requirements. “We resumed training as well, such as communication skills training, glam training, and pasarela (catwalk)! The journey to the second blue crown has started, and I am blessed to be surrounded by hard working, supportive, and passionate individuals especially the entire Miss World Philippines Organization.”
Photography Lem Atienza
Styling and Art Direction Luis Carlo San Juan
Videography Miko Pedero
Makeup Chuchie Ledesma assisted by Jilliene Tan
Hairstyle Kim Echavia
Shot on location NOBU Restaurant, special thanks to Charisse Chuidian and Romina Garvacio