The Miss Universe National Costume Competition never disappoints with originality. And the 2023 contest is no exception. This contest is a way to represent a country and spread a meaningful message through the medium of fashion.
So, let’s take a look at this year’s costumes and what kind of messages they were meant to send.
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This costume is a dedication to the unconditional love of a mother and the defenselessness of children in the face of war. Mothers all over Ukraine are begging and dreaming of a sky without missiles.
The Tumi, a word meaning knife, was once used as a ceremonial instrument in pre-Columbian coastal civilizations. Today it’s used as a good luck symbol that can be found in doctor’s offices across Peru.
This mystical heroine with a Mexican heart protects the lives of magic beings in her world. The mask headpiece and wings present the perfect fusion of an owl and a deer - animals that represent wisdom and focus.
Introducing the volcanic and empowerment costume. It honors the transformative power of nature and the human spirit. It features an eruption of volcano elements symbolizing the rebirth of the country.
This costume is a tribute to the majestic blue macaw. As a wing guardian, this delegate brings a message of conservation as danger threatens these birds and the biodiversity they represent.
Check out this great-tailed Grackle. The costume consists of a tight-fitting leotard, a plume decorated with feathers, two immense shiny wings, and an extensive tail decorated with thousands of crystals.
This costume represents the midnight sun - a natural phenomenon that occurs during certain months in Iceland. There are several days in which the sun never sets dramatically affecting the country’s summer daylight hours.
In Malta there used to be nearly 50 species of butterflies but overdevelopment caused that number to dwindle. This is both an ode to the insect and an homage to Euro Pride which was recently held in the country.
In Myanmar Buddhist culture there’s a tradition called virtue tree, where donations from savings are collected for the monasteries during festivals. This costume represents a lady dressing up for the ceremony prepared to do good deeds.
Behold The Mother Earth goddess highly revered in worship throughout Thai history. She’s often depicted twisting her long hair and producing holy water, which is eventually used to nourish mankind.
This look pays tribute to the working spirit of Lenca women - a group dedicated to crafting the colorful designs that haven’t changed much in the past 500 years, thanks to ancestral knowledge passed down from mother to daughter for generations.
Costa Rica is a small country with diverse ecosystems located between two bodies of water that irrigate the land. This dress represents the rich marine spaces and beautiful beaches while the trident is an ode to coral reef.
Celtic goddess of the sea, protecting Irish waters from pollution. Made from recycled plastic lids and reclaimed wool, this costume reminds us that the future of our planet depends on sustainability.
This handcrafted ensemble is a masterpiece of embroidery and crystal beating. It features red flames, orange and gold, and a mass paying homage to the Dancing Devils - a set of popular religious festivals.
This costume pays homage to a 19th-century doll, a souvenir from the Bahamas world famous international straw market. Woven in burlap and straw accents its gems and stones feature the patriotic colors of gold black and aquamarine.
This Nordic ocean dragon is a fusion of fantasy and reality portraying a mythical creature that peacefully resides within the depths of the Nordic Ocean. The costume symbolizes the enduring spirit of the Vikings.
Behold a resilient modern Indian who stands tall with grace her diversity, integrity, and strength are embroidered in this armored goddess look. Powerful shoulders highlight the feminine form and the Lotus Halo carries religious symbols.
The Bolivian Amazonian Warrior was sent to defend against the extinction of the blue-bellied wild bird. The bodice and skirt were embroidered with seeds and the whole costume is made from recyclable materials. Behold this bird defender and all of her splendor Bolivia.
80% of Guyana is covered in rainforest, so this costume represents the country’s abundance of wildlife. Aside from the array of animals, the skirt features lilies - a beautiful aquatic plant that’s native to South America.
The Mumuhuila women manage their husbands' fortunes and beads necklaces they wear are symbols of their wealth. These women are a vital part of Angolian culture, even wear their many necklaces to sleep.
Rapunzel is a German fairy tale about a girl crossing borders and looking for the light. This brave German princess never stops believing in the force for good, inspiring this delegate to keep fighting.
This one represents a popular Panama melody called a drum of joy. On its back, you’ll find a pentagram and musical notes along with 10 flowers of the holy spirit for the country’s natural flower.
This look is a tribute to Nobel Prize winners from her country as St Lucia has the highest number of Nobel laureates per Capita. The laurate Insignia is embedded in this gold and bronze costume.
This costume pays homage to the characters in an interpretation of the epic saga Mahabharata. It highlights resilience and wisdom in the face of adversity, encouraging virtuous living and justice.
Handmade using faux feathers it’s the golden owl - Bulgaria’s largest nocturnal bird of prey. It personifies courage and fearlessness - a perfect reminder to pursue and achieve our goals.
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Queen Tomiris is a significant figure in Kazakh history. This costume celebrates the courage and bravery of the great ruler of the past, while the details and patterns symbolize the country’s culture.
Plantains are one of the top crops in the Dominican Republic and a favorite local food. This costume called plantain power features the beautiful flower that produces the plantain and ready to eat headpiece.
Great Britain gave the world English - the official language of 67 countries. This national costume is a tribute to both the English language and the Oxford Dictionary - an unsurpassed guide that documents around 600,000 words.
This look draws inspiration from 13th century Mongolia. In those days women’s hair stood so tall it reached for the heavens, and their head was topped with hats like that, much like their aspirations reach skyward.
Oryx is Namibia’s national animal. It represents rising resilience and adaptability.
This costume pays tribute to Spain’s traditions with a flamenco-inspired dress that has dramatic ruffles around the train and wrists.
Drawing on one of Australia’s most prized assets, this dress is a celebration of its incredible and unique native wildflowers. On display the flowers symbolizing the land, sea, sun and people.
Growing up as a redhead Paula admired Scandinavian and fairy tale characters with red hair. they gave her confidence so this costume is an ode to Finish children and the characters that inspire them to succeed.
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This ensemble honors the Swiss guard steadfast protectors of the Pope. The Renaissance style uniform is adorned with stones to make it more feminine and comes complete with a bedazzled weapon.
This goddess outfit honors the Mekong river. Much like the pure powerful waters in the Mekong, the women of Cambodia embody strength and power. This costume represents the flow of health, happiness and prosperity.
This la vie en rose costume was custom made for youth at Moulin Rouge. French singer Edith Piaf sang at the world-famous Cabaret in 1944 and this look pays homage to the iconic figure on an international stage.
This costume is all about individuality. The delegate aims to celebrate the rich and diverse culture, history and lifestyle of her country through this outfit. Pakistan is home to multiple ethnicities and 74 Languages.
Here we see white and red, the colors of Poland’s flag, but the costume’s unique design is meant to represent all the other contestants' homelands as well. It’s an ode to pageantry and the world’s most beautiful women.
The eagle is a symbol of Albanian nobility. And it’s no coincidence that its wings are golden, as in the country it represents beautiful and prosperous. This proud, graceful bird is not afraid to soar to new heights.
This costume “Fiesta de la Calle San Sebastián” pays tribute to the architecture of Old San Juan, while representing the most important cultural Festival in Puerto Rico. It’s a celebration of music, folklore and art.
This indigenous queen safeguards what matters most – our planet. In her care she defends not just her people, but the very earth beneath our feet. Standing firm against the threat of climate change.
One of five subspecies found only on Cayman Island the pygmy blue butterfly is one of the smallest in the world. About the size of a pinky nail they have black and white banded antennae and despite their name, they are primarily copper brown.
The tulip is the most famous flower in the Netherlands, and every color has meaning. The orange represents enthusiasm but this delegate is enthusiastic about all the colors, as she has evolved into the proud woman you see here.
Covered in cowry shells to represent womanhood, the orange fabric on the back of this outfit symbolizes Zimbabwe setting sun. On the shoulders you’ll notice mighty lions covered in gold, a mineral found beneath their land.
This costume honors women who’ve made an impact on the women’s empowerment movement in Cameroon. It’s meant to inspire girls who may not yet believe in themselves that they too can change the world.
The inspiration for this natural costume is a beautiful jewel - the Czech garnet. Because the gem is known for its red color a nude fabric was used so both the delegate and the stones would stand out creating the appearance of one large gem.
Behold o the Priestess of the Goddess Aphrodite. This costume consists of an all-silk tunic brown to symbolize Mother Earth. A handmade metal piece was designed above the tunic which symbolizes vegetation.
This look represents the power and impact women have had on Nigeria throughout history. It’s an ode to three notable Queens in particular whose influence as heroines and warriors shaped the great nation.
When flooding the Nile River used to leave behind silt that was rich in minerals allowing crops to flourish. These days the river is tainted due to tons of waste being dumped in it, so this costume is a call to stop the pollution.
This Modern take on a traditional Hungarian folk costume features a red velvet jacket that closes under the bus with a sash. Underneath is a fine silk peasant blouse and one of a pattern skirt.
This dress chronicles Italian scientific history. It represents the light of reason illuminating the great female minds of the past and present. From the darkness of illiteracy at the bottom to the bright sun on top.
This costume is a testament to the values of diversity and acceptance that Canada upholds. It features elements from countries competing at Miss Universe intertwined with Canada’s flag
This costume represents Curaçao’s inspiring athletes who want to one day compete at the Olympic games beneath their island flag. It embodies determination and resilience while blending regal beauty with athletic symbolism.
The daisy is the national flower of Latvia. Its presence in meadows and fields has long inspired poets and it is often depicted in traditional latvian art, embroidery and even folk songs.
The gold florals are a nod to Rye Island, as they look like wheat.
Legendary guitarist Mangor the outfit is adorned with sequins and colors that represent the energy that flows through music. and the colors of the two flags stand for justice, peace, and Freedom.
Lady Ursula and her 11 lamps represent the 11,000 virgins who according to legend were martyred along with the Romano British princess St Ursula. The white in her dress signifies purity and the gold triumph.
Here we see a blend of heritage and rich cultural Tapestry. The ensemble is embellished with Indian and Southeast Asian Accessories, and to honor Singapore’s national identity vibrant shades of red were incorporated.
This stunning costume is an ade to Latin dance and features red - the color of the Belgian flag. The train’s fabric is from her Royal Highness Princess Devine van de Prinsenhof, who’s an artist and fashion designer.
It’s a bird. it’s a plane, it’s the Philippines. Crowned with a captain’s hat this costume is a salute to the delegate’s role as an Air Force reservist. This look is representative of her country, resilient and radiant.
Behold America’s famous landmarks. As the daughter of a Venezuelan immigrant the Statue of Liberty is especially meaningful to this delegate. also featured our red white and blue fireworks and thousands of crystals.
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