At every significant moment in designer David Antonio’s career, when he spoke about his career and inspiration, the name of the first Puerto Rican to win the Miss Universe title, Marisol Malaret, was present. And she was his muse before they met in person, and when that meeting happened, it turned into a friendship for life.
“Mari was one of those beautiful things that happen to you in life. One of those people whose personality you imagine and when you meet him you find that he’s exactly what you imagined him to be. She was a sweet woman, but also totally determined and upright,” David Antonio remembers his friend, who died on Sunday at the age of 73.
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The designer was in preschool when Malaret won the universal crown, and while their lives hadn’t crossed, she was always present because a photo of her was framed in her home.
David Antonio grew up admiring this elegant woman which attracted attention on television with programs such as “Gala Night”. Little by little, this image he saw led him to nurture his interest in fashion.
In 1970, Marisol Malaret became the first Puerto Rican woman to win the Miss Universe title. (FILE) Marisol Malaret at the time of her coronation. (FILE) The beauty queen arrived in Puerto Rico on an Eastern Air Lines plane, where she was greeted by a crowd. (FILE) Marisol Malaret was in a trailer where she received people’s affection. (File) In an interview with El Nuevo Día a few years ago, he commented that he never thought he would win. (File) Then-Governor Luis A. Ferré organized a reception for him in La Fortaleza. (File) He was barely 20 years old when he became famous, at a time when this international competition enjoyed great prestige and international fame. (FILE) This image of the young woman with brown hair and green eyes from Puerto Nuevo who is crowned the most beautiful woman in the universe is engraved in the minds of Puerto Ricans. (File) Puerto Ricans declared a historic reception and that it would be remembered as one of those great events that ignite Puerto Rican pride. (FILE) Marisol’s story, marked by great challenges, would make the love and admiration for her even greater. (File) Before the victory, he worked, among other things, as a house and window cleaner. (File) She also worked as Executive Secretary at the International Telephone and Telegraph Company (ITT), a company that later became Telefónica de Puerto Rico. (FILE) He entered the University of Puerto Rico, where he earned an associate degree in secretarial science. (File) The Miss Universe campaign was held in Miami and 64 candidates took part. (File) Marisol Malaret already crowned Miss Universe. (File) After her engagements with the Miss Universe organization ended, Marisol Malaret embarked on a career as a television entertainer. (File) She tried her hand at radio as the presenter of a show starring Carmen Jovet and Milly Cangiano. (File) He also ventured into the business world by founding the successful boutique La Femme with actress Gladys Aguayo. (Archive)Marisol Malaret (Archive)Her interest in the media took it a step further when she joined businessman Manny Casiano to run the magazine Imagen de Puerto Rico in the mid-1980s. (FILE) Marisol Malaret during a fashion photo shoot for El Nuevo Día in 1977. (FILE) Marisol Malaret with Governor Luis Muñoz Marín at a reception in La Fortaleza. (File) Marisol Malaret ran the magazine Imagen de Puerto Rico, which enjoyed considerable circulation and sales success for years. (File) Marisol Malaret. (Archive) In the mid-2000s he returned to the business world with the luxury furniture house En Casa. (File) Marisol Malaret. (File) Marisol Malaret died at the age of 73. (Archive)
When David Antonio moved to San Juan from Yabucoa, he began making a blouse collection. A friend bought him one and gave it to Malaret as a gift. She liked it so much that she asked for the designer’s phone number because she was interested in meeting him. At that time she was the editor of a large magazine.
That call marked the story of both of them. After being left speechless when he heard his muse’s voice on the other end of the phone, David Antonio agreed to bring other styles to the magazine’s offices. Since he didn’t have a car, he used his bike because nothing would stand in the way of the meeting for him.
There he realized that the woman he admired so much from afar was exactly as he imagined her to be. They chatted for an hour and bonded, creating a wonderful friendship.
The historic cover of El Nuevo Día from when she was crowned Puerto Rico’s first Miss Universe. (FILE) Marisol Malaret at the time of her coronation. (FILE) Marisol Malaret, right, with Devorah Carthy Deu in 2001. (JOSE REYES) Marisol Malaret with the other three former Miss Universe Puerto Rico’s. (ANDRE KANG) Along with Deborah Carthy Deu, Dayanara Torres and Denise Quinones, Marisol played Malaret in a campaign with the Advil company. (Provided) Marisol Malaret for the lens of El Nuevo Día during an interview in July 2012. (CARLOS GIUSTI) She attended elementary school at La Merced School and later graduated from Gabriela Mistral High School. (WANDA LIZ VEGA) MARCH 16, 2017 SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO. STAR REVEAL ON THE WALK OF FAME. IN THE PHOTO MARISOL MALARET. PHOTO:[email protected] (Gerald Lopez-Cepero) On July 23, 1970, she made history by becoming the first Puerto Rican woman to be crowned Miss Universe. (FILE) He entered the University of Puerto Rico, where he earned an associate degree in secretarial science. (FILE) House President Carlos Vizcarrondo, Alida Arizmendi, in background, presents an award to Marisol Malaret May 8, 2001. (FILE) 2011 photo of Zuleyka Viera, Marisol Malaret and Dayanara Torres. (FILE) Marisol Malaret in a picture from 2003. (Ramón “Tonito” Zayas) Marisol Malaret also excelled as a businesswoman and communicator. (CARLOS GIUSTI) At the concert of Julio Iglesias in 2019 with her husband Frank Cué.
“I enjoyed her so much because she was an incredible conversationalist. You could talk to her about anything, about any topic, because she was a woman who liked to educate herself and get information. She was also a voracious reader, a passion we shared. We read books and called each other to share them. It was a very nice relationship,” says David Antonio.
Regarding her passion for fashion, the designer assures that he learned a lot from her, that she was always an elegant woman with exquisite taste. She told him about her years as Miss Universe, when she lived in New York and dressed exclusively by designer Halston – a benchmark of ’70s fashion – with jewels by Italian Elsa Peretti.
Malaret was not only his muse but also his greatest critic and leader. Starting with the first major collection presented by David Antonio, both created the routine for her to see the collection before walking the runway.
“I was the only person who saw my collection before the “shows”. She told me not to present this dress and she didn’t take it off because she trusted her so much that she had such good taste,” he adds.
A few boxes recently arrived at the designer’s workshop and when she opened them, it was her stuff. He called her, thinking there was a mix-up, “and told me he wanted me to keep a lot of these things from her. She was a very recognized queen around the world because during her reign there were many conflicts in the world and She traveled the world as a peace broker,” she says.
Over time, they became a family and shared important moments for each other until their last conversation two weeks ago. For David Antonio this loss was difficult but it remains with all the beauty they lived together and with the knowledge that she now rests in peace.
“Most of all I stay with your love and all the learning. She admired her verticality, she had no qualms about talking to anyone, what wasn’t right wasn’t right for her. He always stayed true to his principles. I am honored to have shared such a beautiful friendship. Mari has always been and always will be an inspiration to me,” the designer concludes.