SASHES & TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2025 National Costumes: MY TOP FAVORITES from each Continental Region!

 National Costume Show: (L to R) Miss Universe Brazil Gabriela Lacerda, Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo, Miss Universe Curacao Camille Thomas, Miss Universe Venezuela Stephany Abasali - Miss Universe 2025

The Miss Universe 2025 National Costume Show occurred earlier this week, as part of the events leading up to the Finals. In the past, either by judging or fan vote, a "Best Costume" (or costumes) would be chosen and then announced at the Finals, but this year, so far, there has been no announcement. The Miss Universe National Costume Show/Competition is always a fan favorite, and everyone is always eager to see the creations and inspirations worn by the contestants. The costumes have become increasingly creative and imaginative in their design, particularly in their explanation of how they represent their respective nations. 

A Fish, Tea Pot, and...a Viral Collapsible Dress: (L to R) Miss Universe Norway Leonora Lysglimt-Rodland, Miss Universe Sri Lanka Lihasha White, and Miss Universe Rwanda Solange Keita

Of the 120 contestants and costumes on display, there was plenty to choose from, whether one was choosing the most "Kooky", "Crazy", "Imaginative", or just some of the most creative...Here are MY PICKS for my favorite national costumes from this year's Miss Universe, divided by geographical regions, with descriptions on what the costumes are:

Asia

Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo: Manalo brought the spirit of Philippine fiestas to the Miss Universe stage in Thailand on Wednesday with a national costume that merges the elegance of María Clara with colorful festival traditions. Her costume centers on the traje de mestiza, featuring the classic camisa with bell sleeves, a long saya, and a pañuelo draped over the shoulders. Designed by Mak Tumang, the costume is made from hand-embroidered piña, a textile woven from pineapple leaf fibers. The skirt is built from more than 65,000 individual "petals" and incorporates elements from several major Philippine festivals. Definitely quite a costume, with its dramatic shape and intricate fabrications.

Miss Universe Sri Lanka Lihasha White: Designed by Ramesha Oshini, this costume is inspired by the Ceylon Tea, and features a HUGE "brass" teapot, with a blue teapot mat and wheels that helped the contestant maneuver herself, and the teapot, onto the stage. Lihasha was inside the teapot. I loved the creativity and the homage to the iconic tea from the nation.

Miss Universe Thailand Praveenar Singh: Praveenar's national costume, “Suwannaraksaa: The Golden Guardian Yaksha of Suvarnabhumi,” was designed and crafted by Art Akarach Neramitsilp. It draws inspiration from the legendary Thai yaksha, a guardian figure symbolising strength, honour, protection, and the safeguarding of Thai heritage. The shimmering gold costume featured a mask, a temple headdress, a flag that she carried, matching boots, and intricately beaded details throughout. It was A STUNNER!

Miss Universe India Manika Vishwakarma: Mainka wore a costume entitled "The birth of Enlightenment," which paid homage to the moment Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya.The gold and saffron-hued gown featured intricate beading, gold leaf motifs, and a backpiece designed to look like the Bodhi tree. The design also incorporated a headdress resembling temple spires, crowned with a lotus and an illuminated Dharma Chakra at its heart.The costume represents wisdom, peace, and India's profound spiritual heritage, with the illuminated Chakra symbolizing the spread of Buddhist philosophy from India to the world. The costume was designed and created by Vietnamese designer Tu Four Nguyen Ngoc Tu.

Miss Universe China Zhao Na: Zhao's costume was inspired by the phoenix, a bird signifying rebirth and the Confucian virtues central to Chinese culture: justice, virtue, propriety, benevolence, and faith. It was designed by Zhong Guiyao, Zena's costume was both an homage to her culture and a fashion vision. It featured a red mermaid-shaped sequined gown, feather-like appliques at the bodice and hips, gorgeous pleated fan ruffled sleeves, and a couture-level feathered headdress. To me, this was not just a "costume" but easily could have been on a Paris Haute Couture runway, and she modeled it fabulously.

Americas & Caribbean:

Miss Universe Curacao Camille Thomas: Entitled "Mama Curacao", this very vibrant and festive costume embodies the maternal spirit of an island that embraces everyone who arrives on its shores. Her gown tells the story of a land where cultures, colors, and dreams unite beneath the Caribbean sun. The blue and yellow that flow through her costume represent the sea and the sun, symbols of freedom, warmth, and joy. Adorning her dress are Bougainvillea flowers, traditional blooms of Curaçao - vibrant and resilient, thriving under the island’s bright sun. Around her skirt stand the colorful colonial houses of Willemstad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, each painted in bright hues that reflect unity through diversity, where every color and every culture find its place. She carries the flag of Curaçao, and upon it, dolls represent the nations that helped shape her island. It was designed by Colombian designer Randy Severiche.

Miss USA Audrey Eckert: Audrey paid homage to her home with an elaborate bald eagle designed by Simon Villalba. From the golden eagle headpiece and its lifelike wings to the crystal-encrusted bodice and intricate beadwork inspired by Indigenous artistry, every detail tells a story of heritage, strength, and hope. The plumes echo our country’s vast landscapes, while the towering headdress and feathered boots honor the courage that defines the American spirit.

Miss Universe Venezuela Stephany Abasali: Stephany's costume is inspired by the beautiful island of Margarita, located off Venezuela's coast (and an island I used to visit when I was young, growing up in Venezuela), which is also dubbed "The Pearl of the Caribbean". In addition, it was inspired by the Los Roques Archipelago. The intricate and dramatic national costume featured silver netting, corals, turtles, and sea creatures flanking her nude-and-silver crystal bodysuit, finished off with a stunning headdress. The costume was designed and created by Panamanian designer Royer Perez.

Miss Universe Haiti Melissa Sapini: This costume was inspired by the majestic Hispaniolan Trogon, Haiti's national bird. She "soared" through the stage in this feathered and sequin creation. The costume was created and designed by Filipino designer Kennedy Gasper.

Miss Universe Guyana Chandhini Baljor: Entitled "The Flame of Hidden Spirits-Old Higue Reborn", rooted in Guyanese folklore, the Old Higue (or Fyah Rass) is the mysterious, fire-tinged old woman who sheds her skin by night to roam as a ball of flame, draining energy from the living. But this costume reimagines her story as one of empowerment, transformation, and mystic beauty, representing Guyana’s fire, resilience, and ancestral spirit.Instead of portraying her as evil, Miss Universe Guyana embodies her as the keeper of ancient fire, symbolizing the inner strength of Guyanese women and the unquenchable spark of the Caribbean soul. The concept was by Devon H. Prashad, and it was designed by Thai designer Arm Tammawit Yongtaworn of ARMDS. The mechanical wings of the costume, unfortunately, were not functioning correctly, and therefore, she could not utilize them during the actual presentation.

Miss Universe Peru Karla Bacigalupo: Looking like the ultimate Vegas or Paris Cabaret Showgirl, but with South American influence, this costume was inspired by the Huascaran, the highest point in Peru, considered a sacred spirit of the Andes. The costume featured silver and iridescent fabric and textures, as she carried two HUGE fans representing the ice forming at the top of the mountain. Finalizing the look was her "icicle crystals"-like crown. The costume was created and designed by Beto Pinedo.

Miss Universe Chile Inna Moll: Inspired by the Chilean Torres del Paine, an area located in the Chilean Patagonian region, flanked by mountains, turquoise lakes, forests, ice fields, granite towers, and diverse wildlife, most of which is depicted in this creation. It was created and designed by Thai costume designer Akarach Phusanaphong.

Miss Universe Brazil Gabriela Lacerda: Gabriela fashioned herself as Our Lady of Aparecida, the patroness of Brazil, and beautifully embodied a significant national symbol. Her elaborate costume depicted the iconic image of the Blessed Mother wrapped in a blue mantle with golden details and wearing a crown, symbolising the faith, cultural roots, and national identity of her country. For Lacerda, the homage was deeply personal, expressing her Catholic devotion as she described Mary as “my Mother”. Meanwhile, the figure of Our Lady of Aparecida itself originates from a dark-clay statue found by fishermen in 1717 in the Paraíba River and was declared Queen and Patroness of Brazil by Pope Pius XI in 1930. The costume was from Versa Brand and Designer Mario Cesar Silva.

Africa:

Miss Universe Egypt Sabrina Maged: Inspired by Nephthys, the Egyptian goddess of the night and protection. The stunning costume consisted of a bejeweled bodice, an opulent tapestry of hand-strung beads and gemstones that shimmer in celestial hues. Sapphire, amethyst, and onyx, tracing regal patterns that evoke the protective wings of the goddess herself.Extending from the arms, architectural wing pieces unfurl, crafted from metallic jacquard that had been meticulously hand-cut into hundreds of pleats. The interplay of royal blue, fuchsia, violet, and gold creates a dazzling gradient of jewel tones—an echo of twilight over the Nile rendered in fabric. These wings, both commanding and fluid, give the illusion of flight—Nephthys in mid-transcendence.

Miss Universe Guinea Tiguidante Berete: This was one of the most elaborate costume presentations during the Miss Universe 2025 National Costume Show. As Tigui came onto the stage, she was inside a contraption of sorts, which she then opened and emerged from. Inspired by the Simandou 2040 Project, the world’s largest mining endeavor, this costume symbolizes Guinea’s vision for progress.It represents five key pillars that stand for agriculture, education, infrastructure, economy, and health.Metallic details showcase the power of industry and the spirit of innovation while being grounded in tradition and nature, using organic fabrics and cultural patterns.The embroidery reflects the country's mountains, forests, and ancestral heritage. It was designed by 

Simeon Cayetano

Miss Universe Rwanda Solange Keita: Solange wore one of the most innovative and interesting costumes in the pageant. When she first came out, it looked as if she were wearing a "normal" white dress...but then, using a waist hoop mechanism, it transformed into a full-skirted ball gown. While I have not read her exact inspiration for this costume, I did find that it "might have been" inspired by a school project and creation from a Ghanaian Jennifer Elikem Dogba, a final-year fashion student from Keta Senior High Technical School, recently went viral for her spectacular WASSCE practical project: a groundbreaking convertible gown built with a waist-hoop mechanism that transforms from a fitted silhouette into a dramatic ball gown. Her engineering, creativity, and flawless execution earned her widespread admiration across social media and national news (see photo above). This could have also been a fabulous "Project Runway" creation!

Miss Universe Tanzania Naisae Yona: Designed by Eben Collection, this costume represents the "Malkia Wa Asali” (Queen of Honey). It draws its inspiration from the powerful symbolism of the Queen Bee, a radiant emblem of leadership, unity, and purpose within the hive. Crafted in hues of golden yellow and deep black, with an expansive honeycomb cape representing the industrious spirit of Tanzania’s people, intricately connected like the cells of a hive, each one vital, purposeful, and contributing to the sweetness of collective success.

Europe

Miss Universe Great Britain Danielle Latimer: Daniele wanted to pay homage to her country and did it with a tw-for-one creation...and a fall! Her national costume was inspired by Eliza Doolittle from "My Fair Lady" and her transformation from a cockney flower seller to an elegant young lady. She first walked out with her flower cart, dressed rather un-elegantly, but then she went forward towards the edge of the stage, and looked as if she accidentally fell (!) and then....POOF!....tore off her old coat and underneath, revealed the more elegant and refined white dress-wearing Eliza Doolittle! People in the audience (and online watching) were aghast, thinking she had fallen accidentally and hurt herself. However, she explained later on social media that it was deliberate. The entire look was created by Jakarin Pimpala of Touch Jai.

Miss Universe Estonia Brigitta Schaback: Designed by Artakarach Design Akarach Phusanaphong, her costume was inspired by the story of Libahunt, meaning the werewolf, featuring a fur and sequined creation, with a bustier/corset, a round backpiece showcasing the icy tundra of Estonia's winters, bow and arrow, and probably one of the most fabulous wolf headdresses ever donned at a Miss Universe National costume show!

And last but not least...

Miss Universe Norway Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland: Leonora made headlines at this year’s Miss Universe pageant in Thailand after appearing in a costume inspired by a Norwegian salmon, a nod to her country’s maritime heritage. The contestant’s shimmering pink and silver outfit went viral online as she first appeared as a SALMON (!) fish, walking onto the stage, but then removed the outer layer to reveal a bodysuit symbolizing the salmon’s inner side. FUN FACT: Norway is among the world’s largest exporters of salmon, with Thailand serving as one of its key Asian markets. Norwegian salmon has become increasingly popular in Thai restaurants and supermarkets, reflecting the growing trade in seafood between the two countries.