Reflecting outer space, the clouds, the rainforests, and the deepest ocean beds, this year’s Miss Universe pageant’s national costumes parade shimmers not just with gold but with subtle declarations of peace, love of nature, and the need to mitigate climate change effects.
Ms Universe
In one of the most flamboyant rounds of the Miss Universe pageant, the national costume competition this year held January 11, 2023, ahead of the final coronation night in New Orleans Morial Convention Center, vivacious contenders showcase their country’s culture through inspired, and sometimes excessive, outfits. Some costumes were frivolous too, making any viewer laugh or give a mocking smirk.
Echoes of nature
Belize, which was formerly known as British Honduras until 1973, is renowned for housing the world’s only jaguar refuge. Ashley Lightburn, a candidate and mathematics instructor at the University of Belize, wore a “tropical paradise” appearance with the help of a lovely bouquet of birds of paradise flowers and tropical palm leaves. The jaguar’s head protrudes from her abdomen as the centrepiece of the outfit, which also includes a gorgeous coat adorned with dark rosettes and spots, as well as matching knee-high boots made of the same material. The costume, which reflected the nation’s pride, was a straightforward declaration of the value of nature in people’s lives.
Fighting stereotypes
Bahrain’s Evlin Khalifa wore a gold ensemble from head to toe. She said she loves gold because she believes that Bahrain is like gold, it shines at any given time, and it’s a story of hope, hard work, and transformation.
On the comments that she didn’t fit the Ms. Universe winner template because she lacked height and doesn’t know how to answer questions, she responded by telling everyone that she joined the Miss Universe with a different purpose. She wanted to be the voice for women who are afraid to show themselves because society has already made a judgment without even knowing them because they lacked the certain standards and stereotypes that have been molded in people’s minds. She asserted that her desire is to tell the world the stories and histories of Arabian women she desiresght and live their lives.
Enormously-winged beauties
Golden Bird was the name Ancient Greeks used to refer to India, because of its rich raw materials and precious metals, including gold. Miss India Divita Rai’s outfit was inspired by a golden bird, dubbed “sone ki chidiya” or “golden bird” in Hindi, the overelaborate dress features wings in gold over a heavily embroidered lehenga.
Miss Ukraine’s Viktoria Apanasenko’s outfit unquestionably astonished viewers all over the world with her “Warrior of Light” costume wherein the wings just unfolded themselves on stage. The costume is an embodiment of the innermost strength of Ukrainians, their valor, willpower, and love for independence flowing in their veins.
María Fernanda Aristizabál of Colombia wowed the crowd with her Phoenix Queen costume. Donning a pair of extremely remarkable wings. Aristizabál’s outfit consisted of a sweltering red bodysuit, iridescent tights, and theatrical feathered wings in shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. Miss Colombia’s ensemble was decked with 1,100 Swarovski crystals, making the entire outfit not just breathtaking but also massively gorgeous.
From the ocean bed to the skies, the other worlds
Miss Brazil Mia Mamede at the Ms Universe parade wore a sparkling outlying pantsuit inspired by Brazil’s oceans. Miss Brazil’s national costume fizzled with gems in various shades of blue and sleeves covered in fringe. Her boots were intended to look like the tail of a fish, and the outfit was embellished with a pearl hovering on top of her head. Mamede’s “goddess of the ocean” costume represented the treasures and diversity of Brazil’s marine ecosystem.
Ashley Cariño of Puerto Rico wore a futuristic two-piece inspired by a telescope. From the front, one could see Miss Puerto Rico’s white crop top, cutout pants, and body sparkles. But when she turned around, viewers got a better view of her backpiece, which was a screen exposing rousing videos that revel in different scientific triumphs.
From Greece, the pretty Korina Emmanouilidou was dressed as the goddess Hera, with her bodice literally glowing to portray Hera’s otherworldliness.
Stunning yet silly?
Philippines’ Celeste Cortesi at the Ms Universe parade wore an adaptation of the country’s most popular superheroine Darna. Her red-and-gold look featured a glittering bra, matching gloves, and knee-high boots.
On her head, was a gold-star headpiece that matched the rings on her back. The costume represented the mission of defending people in need.
While she looked striking on stage, not so many people in her country were happy because the outfit didn’t represent the people’s aspirations or the nation’s priority goals.
Miss Bahamas’ Angel Cartwright sported a metallic teal catsuit decorated with yellow detailing that ran from her arm down to one of her legs. But the wow factor was the multicolored fireworks that were attached to her costume and burst with yellow, orange, green, and pink feathers.
The costume is inspired by the night that the Bahamas gained independence 50 years ago when the country’s notable Clifford Park was filled with fireworks.
While the concept was good, it didn’t do her justice because the “fireworks headdress” was too huge that she was covered all over.
Miss USA’s R’Bonney Gabriel depicted the 1969 moon landing with her star-studded ensemble. Gabriel’s outfit was made up of a silver bodysuit adorned with glowing red-and-blue accents, matching silver boots, and an over-the-top backpiece. Large, silver stars jutted out from the backpiece, as did a re-creation of the moon. Gabriel also carried an American flag.
Looking at her, it wasn’t certain whether she was mimicking an astronaut walking on the moon or she was having a hard time moving around with that massive “moon” on her head and the many things she was carrying with her. Unfortunately, even when her pretty rumps were shown, she didn’t look sexy, instead, she looked awfully funny and weird.
R’Bonney Gabriel, half Filipino half American from the USA became the 71st Miss Universe. Undoubtedly, with her curvaceous body, pretty face, and wit, she bested the other 82 candidates who were equally beautiful.
With an American winning the prestigious Ms Universe pageant, hopefully, it can add points to the descending image of the US president.
What a Ms Universe parade we had.
