KUALA LUMPUR: The Miss Universe 2017 contestants showcased some jaw-dropping costumes during the national costume preliminary competition in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines on Thursday.
Major landmarks, geographical and historical features seemed to be a big trend in this year’s competition, with 86 contestants seen clad in elegant gowns and extravagant colour-bursting costumes.
Some of the wears were literally out of this world!
Miss Universe Malaysia, Kiran Jassal wore an outfit inspired by the Petronas Twin Towers (it features models of the towers as shoulder pads), designed by local fashion designer duo Rizman Ruzaini.
The creation by designers Rizman Nordin and Wan Ruzaini Wan Jamil embodies a futuristic design, worn with knee-high boots. It features more than 100,000 hand-sewn Swarovski crystals, with a crystal-encrusted choker symbolising the sky-bridge.
Another costume bearing an architectural work came from Miss Germany, Johanna Acs. Clad in a white dress, she wore a model of Germany’s famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria as a headpiece.
Miss Sweden, Ida Ovmar paid tribute to Swedish author, Astrid Lindgren by dressing up as Pippi Longstocking, where she walked onstage holding a giant cardboard horse.
Miss Vietnam, Le Hang had a lotus-shaped outfit on, which was inspired by her country's agricultural roots.
Austria's Miss Universe, Dajana Dzinic took the audience down memory lane with her printed ball gown featuring an image of Julie Andrews in the musical, The Sound of Music.
Miss USA, Deshauna Barber reminded the audience of the Avengers, when she appeared as a warrior princess in a two-piece silver outfit with matching thigh-high boots.
Hoping to raise awareness on coral bleaching, Miss Universe Australia, Caris Tiivel walked the stage in a dress inspired by the Great Barrier Reef, complete with anemone headpiece.
Indonesia’s Miss Universe, Kezia Warouw made a grand entrance in her sparkly gold-coloured Garuda (a large bird from Hindu and Buddhist mythology) costume.
Aruba, a small Dutch Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela is known as one of the best getaway destination. Drawing inspiration from a popular watersport, Charlene Leslie of Miss Aruba walked the stage attached to a windsurfing sail.
Miss Myanmar, Htet Htet Htun wowed the crowd with a costume inspired by a Myanmar Traditional Puppet Dance, called Yoat Thay, where she brought a wall with her and performed a mini a string puppet act.
It was no surprise when Miss Myanmar who stole the show was awarded the best national costume title.
Netizen Hong Kil Dong said: “I so love her very short performance… Seeing her from the so many pre-pageant photos, she is cute, innocent and sometimes playful. She is definitely enjoying the experience.”
“She deserves it. Miss Myanmar presents for her country very well. She is so stunning. Love from Deutschland,” wrote Stäcey Day on Facebook.
Miss France, Iris Mittenaere, 23, won the Miss Universe crown on Monday in the annual pageant held in the Philippines.
Miss Haiti, Raquel Pelissier, 25, was named first runner-up, while Miss Colombia, 23-year-old industrial designer and photographer Andrea Tovar, was second runner-up.