SASHES & TIARAS......Miss Grand International 2026 National Costumes: My TOP Favorites from Every Continental Region!

 Costume Couture - National Costumes from the 2026 Miss Grand International Beauty Pageant (L to R: Miss Grand Philippines, Miss Grand Guatemala, Miss Grand Uruguay, Miss Grand Hong Kong)

In my last "Sashes and Tiaras" post HERE, I talked about my TOP 20 PICKS for Evening Gowns from the 2026 Miss Grand International Preliminaries Competition. Now, it's time to discuss MY FAVORITES and TOP PICKS for National Costumes from the 2026 Miss Grand International beauty pageant. As is usual for Miss Grand International, the national costumes are over-the-top...HUGE...and the designers do not hold back from making the most impactful (and GRAND!) presentation. 

Miss Grand International 2026 National Costume Presentation - Bangkok, Thailand

Some came with big contraptions, with wheels and designs that would, if I have to guess, take up A LOT of space in the cargo section of an airplane...and would cost A LOT of money to transport. I assume many of these were made right there in the pageant's host city of Bangkok because otherwise, I cannot imagine what it took to pack these things! 

Here are my TOP FAVORITES, divided by geographical regions, starting with...

AFRICA:

Miss Grand Tanzania Jihan Dimack - This costume was a regal ensemble designed to merge Tanzania's wildlife, history, and cultural heritage. The headdress is sculpted to mimic the peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The tanzanite gemstone is incorporated into the design, as well as savanna and wildlife like lions, giraffes, and zebras. 

EUROPE:

Miss Grand Czech Republic Hana Dedkova - This costume, which included a huge roller "stage", was said to pay tribute to legendary Czech gymnasts, celebrating world-class dedication and perseverance. This was one of those costumes that included a "stage"-like contraption (on wheels!) that I hope wasn't shipped all the way from the Czech Republic because that alone probably would have cost THOUSANDS!

Miss Grand Malta Natalia Galea - Natalia wore this costume celebrating the Hawn Tal-Pastizzi, a traditional Maltese pastry. I loved the shape, and it made me hungry!

Miss Grand Romania Andreea Ciuca - I'll give you one guess what this costume represented. If you guessed "Dracula", you were right! The visual theme of the costume was to show an ancient castle rising out of the Carpathian Mountains. And as you can see, she portrayed a mythical vampire rising from her coffin like the "queen of darkness".

Miss Grand UK Pooja Ghodekar - Titled "Royal Football", I loved this costume and how it merged Britain's royal heritage with its passion for football/soccer. The design purportedly represents competition, unity, and the pursuit of winning. She is both chasing the football trophy as well as the top crown on the pageant stage! GOALLLLLL!!!!!

ASIA:

Miss Grand Bangladesh Anonna Fatima - Wore a Jamdani-inspired red-and-gold costume, a tribute to the handwoven textile created across generations of Bangladeshi women. The majestic throne atop is made as a homage to the courage and empowerment of Bangladeshi women. The colors, the dress itself, and the entire presentation were gorgeous.

Miss Grand China Liu Mengmeng - This costume was inspired by the traditional Southern Chinese Lion Dance. The costume represents courage, vitality, good fortune, and unity. She started her presentation with the lion mask/head and then removed it, showcasing the ballgown shape, long train, and feathered contraption framing her upper body.

Miss Grand Hong Kong Yolanda Liu Yuebin - This costume represents Mazu, the revered Chinese goddess of the sea, guardian of sailors and fishermen. The legacy of Mazu traveled along the maritime Silk Road to connect Chinese communities across the globe. This costume earned her a spot as one of the Best National Costumes of the pageant.

Miss Grand India Lakshita Thilagaraj - This design was inspired by Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of prosperity, grace, beauty, and divine feminine power. As you can see, she started her presentation in yet another wheeled set-up from which she ascended, showcasing the intricate costume.

Miss Grand Japan Sara Chiba - This costume was titled "Kendo - The Way of the Samurai", uniting the traditional elegance of the kimono with the protective strength of Kendo armor. I thought this combined costume with high fashion effectively.

Miss Grand Laos Louise Chanthalangsy - Louise showcased an elaborate golden colored costume and headdress accompanied by a traditional bamboo puppetry performance celebrating Lao heritage. 

Miss Grand Macau Moniece Lam Man Si - Moniece wore a costume titled "Moonlight Over the Human Realm", designed by Ivan Tran, showcasing traditional Chinese lantern craftsmanship and the ancient legend of the carp leaping over the dragon gate. I loved how the carp fish was incorporated into her body, creating this unique and fabulous shape.

Miss Grand Nepal Sumnima Puri - Entitled "Flash Floods: the Tears of Mother Nature". This costume was a poignant tribute to the victims, families, and communities affected by the horrific flash floods in Nepal, bringing global attention to the human cost of climate change. As you can see, her weeping face represented the cries of Mother Nature, and her back cape featured a "Pray for Nepal" sign. One of the most effective costumes of the night.

Miss Grand Pakistan Zara Younus - Titled "The Golden Spear", this costume was designed by Simeon Cayetano and was a tribute to Pakistan's Olympic gold medalist and javelin champion Arshad Nadeem, commemorating his record-breaking throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The costume also featured Pakistan's iconic crescent and star. The warrior-themed costume, showing national heritage and an athletic tribute, earned her a spot as one of the Best National costumes of the pageant.

Miss Grand Philippines Angelica Lopez - This ensemble, titled "Ang Mangkukulam," celebrated Filipino folklore and mysticism. Designed by Patrick Isorena, it was rooted in Mangkukulam, a traditional Filipino folk witch. As you can see, in the beginning, she featured a voodoo doll with button-like eyes and needle details. I was impressed by the dark, theatrical piece of storytelling this costume portrayed, as opposed to what we would typically see in the Miss Philippines national costumes.

Miss Grand Singapore Nicole Bacon - This costume was one of the BIGGEST of the night, and it was a tribute to the Merlion, Singapore's iconic half-fish, half-lion symbol. The Merlion is reimagined as a futuristic bridge where the city meets the sea. Rising above the structure are five illuminated stars, representing democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality. 

Miss Grand Sri Lanka Nethaki Lokugamage - This costume represented the powerful musical heritage embodied in Sri Lankan culture. The costume features traditional Sri Lankan percussion instruments like these drums. The look was created by Sachinda Sujith, under the national direction of Rukmal Senanayake.

Miss Grand Vietnam Emoura Pham - This costume was titled "Returning Home in Glory to Honor One's Ancestors". It weighed approximately 20 kilograms and is rooted in Vietnamese folk culture, recreating the triumphant homecoming of a traditional scholar who has successfully passed his imperial examinations. As you can see, the costume features two elaborately crafted ceremonial paper horses as well as a traditional parasol. 

NORTH AMERICA/CARIBBEAN:

Miss Grand El Salvador Valeria Amaya - Titled "Timeless and Mystic Garden Queen of Mesoamerica", this costume showcases the national bird of El Salvador, the Torogoz, and the ancestral heritage of the Pipil people. The intricate wings and mythic dragon/bird-like silhouette, with a printed back cape, headdress, and scepter, finish off this look. 

Miss Grand Guatemala Ximena Carillo - Designed by Maximiliano Reyes, this costume depicts Camazotz, the guardian and lord of the house of bats from the sacred Maya text, the Popol Vuh. 

Miss Grand Jamaica Simone Gardner - Designed by Kennedy Gasper, the costume, titled "One Love", was inspired by (yes, you guessed it!), Bob Marley, reggae music, and Jamaican musical heritage. She stepped onstage with a HUGE Bob Marley mask, which, when turned, featured speakers and musical instruments, all in the colors of the Jamaican flag, and her own costume featured a bedazzled look with instruments, tiered ruffles, and an oversized mic. LOVED IT!

Miss Grand USA Victoria Oluwakotanmi - This costume symbolized the American dream, immigrant journey, and cultural diversity. The look featured a sequined bustier and bodysuit with a printed overskirt with the Capitol and Statue of Liberty motifs and a headdress of the world map.

SOUTH AMERICA:

Miss Grand Brazil Paula Assuncao - This costume was styled after a Porta-Bandeira (a flag bearer) from a traditional Brazilian samba school. This celebrates the pageantry and soul of Brazilian Carnival, featuring a large crown and sweeping Brazilian flags as well as instruments typically seen at Carnivals, all topped off with an oversized parrot and Christ the Redeemer. 

Miss Grand Ecuador Shyare Andrade - Inspired by the legend of Sunor and the Great Anaconda of the Ecuadorian Amazon. She first appeared with a stunning cape featuring depictions of a jaguar and anaconda and indigenous prints, and then...she removed the cape to show herself as "Sunor", the woman in the Amazon searching for food and the anaconda enveloping her.

Miss Grand Guyana Khadesia "Keke" Walker - Speaking of anacondas...This costume is titled "The Anaconda Queen"! Designed by Jacarin Pimpala "Touch-jai", it honors Guyana's mighty anaconda, symbolizing strength, resilience, and the untamed power of nature. In addition, it represents Guyana's lush Amazonian rainforests. I love that there were SEVERAL anacondas/snakes in this national Costume Show; it was, I guess, "the Year of the Snake"! Speaking of snakes...

Miss Grand Peru Zuliet Seminario - Yes, kids: More snakes! This costume was inspired by the Yacumama, the "Mother of the Waters", an ancient giant serpent legend from the Peruvian Amazon. The design featured several snake heads, vibrant green feathers, and colorful Amazonian motifs. She looked sexy and very threatening, like she's about to bite you!

Miss Grand Uruguay Francine Millan - This costume was named "Lara Chua", inspired by the Charrua warriors and the iconic "Sol del Mayo", the national symbol of Uruguay. This, to me, was one of the most fabulous and stage-impacting national costumes from a South American representative.

And finally...

Miss Grand Venezuela Lady Di Mosquera - Titled "El Renacimiento de Venezuela" (The Rebirth of Venezuela). The design, created by Ildabarros, features an allegorical Ave Fenix (Phoenix), representing the resurrection, strength, and hope of the Venezuelan people following national hardships like the recent earthquakes.