Debates on Destiny Chukunyere’s first dress rehearsal outfit have dominated much of this past week, with everyone from former Eurovision royalty to your nanna having their say on the matter. But what the person who actually designed it?

Taking to Instagram earlier this week, costume designer and self-described “Empress Supreme of the Outer Planets” Sebastian Löjdkvist addressed the overwhelming amount of feedback (good and bad) his bright pink vision for the young Maltese singer received online.

And while the first half of his post was dedicated to quoting Destiny’s own comments on the dress, it didn’t take long for Sebastian to also weigh in on the matter.

“First of I’d like to say, haters are always gonna hate,” Löjdkvist wrote. “But remember that you are talking about an 18-year-old girl – and what gives you the right to talk about how she looks and what she wears?!”

“It has been such an honor to me to create this look for Destiny, it is a bold statement while still being fun, flirty and playful.”

“The 23,000 sparkling crystals can never outshine your star quality Des,” the costume designer affectionately finished. “You’re a winner baby!”