Sun Nov 17 07:06:35 IST 2024: **Miss Universe Contestants Dazzle in National Costume Show**
Mexico City – The 73rd annual Miss Universe pageant is underway in Mexico City, culminating in the crowning of a new Miss Universe on Saturday. Thursday’s preliminary competition featured a spectacular national costume show, with contestants showcasing elaborate and creative designs representing their home countries’ cultures and heritages.
The competition saw a dazzling array of costumes. Highlights included:
* **Nicaragua:** Miss Nicaragua, a businesswoman, wore a costume inspired by a mythical phoenix and the country’s lakes, featuring cathedral pieces, peacock feathers, and a multicolored headpiece.
* **Puerto Rico:** Miss Puerto Rico, a mother, embodied Mother Nature with a costume featuring leaves, branches, and faux parrots, carrying a gold-painted baby doll.
* **Zimbabwe:** Miss Zimbabwe, a fashion designer, showcased her country’s natural beauty with a costume featuring a yellow eagle, purple wings representing Victoria Falls, and a rock-textured skirt.
* **India:** Miss India, a model and social worker, wore a heavy gold “armor” costume with massive wings, embodying India’s nickname, “Golden Bird.”
* **Kyrgyzstan:** Miss Kyrgyzstan used a Swarovski-embellished bodysuit to represent the fur of big cats, highlighting wildlife conservation. Her costume also included a shield and swords.
* **Serbia:** Miss Serbia, a law school graduate, honored her country’s heritage with a gold and velvet costume featuring eagle heads and chainmail.
* **Sri Lanka:** Miss Sri Lanka’s costume incorporated blue sequins in the shapes of flowers and a windmill, reflecting the country’s artistry. A large backpiece mirrored Delftware ceramics.
* **The Netherlands:** Miss Netherlands, an aspiring author, wore a vibrant neon costume with feathered wings, inspired by marine life.
* **Spain:** Miss Spain, a model, wore a red velvet costume adorned with roses, waving her sash as she walked.
* **USA:** Miss USA, a military intelligence officer, showcased patriotism with a white and red costume featuring faux rockets.
* **Paraguay:** Miss Paraguay’s costume, representing the evolution of Paraguayan women, featured a layered dress that revealed a golden leotard underneath.
* **Peru:** Miss Peru’s costume, featuring art panels and sun-shaped elements, showcased sun rays and golden bricks.
* **Dominican Republic:** Miss Dominican Republic’s ethereal costume, resembling shells, celebrated the country’s surrounding oceans.
Many other contestants delivered equally stunning displays of national pride, creativity, and craftsmanship, highlighting diverse cultural elements and traditions from around the world. The national costume show was a significant highlight of the Miss Universe preliminary competition, adding to the excitement leading up to Saturday’s final crowning.
First Piper 