SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2016 National Costumes: Part 2

Sea Goddess: Miss Universe Venezuela  Mariam Habach rises from the Caribbean Sea with her "Miss Venezuela" National Costume for Miss Universe 2016

Continuing with my "Miss Universe 2016 National Costumes Preview", in my last post HERE, I discussed the national costumes that some of the Miss Universe 2016 contestants will be wearing for the international beauty pageant. Now, it's time for my Part Two Post--with ten more National Costumes from Miss Malaysia to Miss Vietnam. Some are quite breathtaking, super-fab and in contention for Best National Costume at the 65th Annual Miss Universe:

Miss Universe Malaysia Kiran Jassal:  This costume for Miss Universe Malaysia has caused quite a stir on social media for being so "out there"/non-traditional and yes, avant-garde. Designed by the duo of Rizman Ruzaini, the national costume is a glittery silver jumpsuit inspired by the Petronas Twin Towers--which is prominently featured on her shoulders and arms.

The design is embellished with thousands of Swarovski crystals over a nude-colored fabric base. The crystal choker on her neck represents the sky bridge that connects the two towers. Personally, I think it's SUPERFAB and kudos to the designers for thinking outside the traditional national costume box.

Miss Universe Nigeria Unoaku Anyadike: Miss Universe Nigeria went traditional with this red and white applique costume entitled the "Queen of Benin Kingdom". I LOVE the headdress and the beaded neck-piece and jewelry but, I just wish there was a way of making this look a bit more "Haute Couture-meets-Victoria's Secret Fashion Show". Can we put her in a red and white jumpsuit with red beaded feathered wing?? On second thought...maybe not. What do you guys think?

Miss Universe Paraguay Andrea Melgarejo: Andrea's national costume is inspired by "The Legend of Mburucuya Flower", a story about forbidden love between a Spanish catholic girl an a local Indian boy. The story goes that when she found out that her lover had been killed on her father's order, she decided to kill herself by stabbing her heart with an arrow, then she died next to her lover. After the tragedy, a peculiar new plant grew on the unfortunate couple's grave. The plant opens its charmed beautiful flowers during day, and closed at night. It's a bit macabre but lovely...at the same time. I love the bold print and strong violet color and I think the immensity of the sweep of the dress will be quite impacting.

Miss Universe Poland Izabella Krzan: Miss Universe Poland went with a hybrid of Fashion and Traditional. The Fashion comes in with the asymmetrical white gown silhouette while the traditional is seen in the headdress and flower embroidery. It's OK but not memorable, especially compared to some of the others I have already shown.

Miss Universe Puerto Rico Brenda Jimenez: This costume from Miss Universe Puerto Rico is designed by Javier Arnaldo Santiago--in collaboration with Fabian De La Puente and Jesus Manuel Davila who did the crown and accessories. The entire look represents the Puerto Rican crest/coat of arms--or escudo (photo above). I think Brenda will make quite a National Costume impression with this for sure!

Miss Universe Sweden Ida Ovmar: This costume is designed by Avid Arik Herman (who also designed Miss Universe Austria's national costume. It is entitled "Dress of Dreams", which according to this, represents the vision that every child has the "opportunity to be loved and the possibility to fulfill their dreams". The strapless asymmetrical hi-lo ballgown design is quite simple and features photos of children on the dress. We'll see how it will be accessorized to make a stronger stage impact like last year's fabulous Miss Universe Sweden costume:

 Miss Universe Sweden 2015 Paulina Brodd National Costume

Miss Universe Switzerland Dijana Cvijetic: Dijana's costume is far from being a traditional Swiss folk costume. The look featured a gold "Mantilla"-like headdress, a leotard/bodysuit and bold sequined embroidered overskirt. I'm thinking her costume celebrates the Swiss art of lace and embroidery--especially from the town of St. Gallen--known for providing laces and embroidery from Jakob Schlaepfer and Bischoff, for Haute Couture fashion houses. Just my guess...or at least if I wrote the P.R. release, that would be the "story".

Miss Universe Thailand Chalita Suansane: One of the most anticipated national costumes for this year's "Miss Universe" is the one designed for Miss Universe Thailand. Entitled "Jewel of Thailand", it features a gold long sleeve top with a sabai, and matching skirt. It was inspired by a type of traditional Thai dress named "Siwalai", which Queen Sirikit used to wear decades ago:

Thai Couture Diva: Queen Sirikit of Thailand

The designer won 20,000 Thai baht (about $560 US dollars at today's exchange rate) for his winning design entry; I'm thinking he should have gotten much more! The design is spectacular and worthy of being in a Costume Museum and certainly more than a $560 prize; Creating that costume alone--sewing, fabric, pattern, fittings and design fee...well, any designer worth their design resume would charge about $10,000.

Sketch and accessories: The costume was designed by culture scholar Hirankrit Pattaraboriboonkool and is decorated with 100,000 Swarovski crystals including the platform stacked heel pumps (as seen from photo above). Although it's not as fun-fab as last year's Miss Universe Thailand national costume, it might get lots of attention still...

Last year's Miss Universe Thailand National Costume Winner "Tuk Tuk" costume--Winner of the "Miss Universe 2015 National Costume" Award

Miss Universe Venezuela Mariam Habach: Her national costume is designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed and represents a Sea Goddess, inspired by the Caribbean Sea, with lots of pearls, sea horse allegory, and multi tiers suggesting the sea's waters and waves. It is a work of National Costume Haute Couture Art!

Miss Universe Vietnam Dang Thi Le Hang: Miss Universe Vietnam's has FIVE--count them--FIVE costumes. Well, The public had to chose ONE. I wonder which one was chosen.

Personally, I love all of them, but...the one inspired by Bamboo/Rattan Knitting (photo above) is my favorite. But, seriously, any of these would be going ABOVE-AND-BEYOND the National Costume Design level!

Which ones are YOUR FAVORITES so far???