Looking back at the dramatic Miss Universe Malaysia national costumes

Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Francisca Luhong James wore a national costume by Carven Ong. On stage, she stepped into the 45kg construct and emerged to show off a second outfit. Photo: Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation

Some of the national costumes worn by Malaysia’s beauty queen are certainly eye-catching enough.

Whether you like the designs or not, you have to admit that they work to create a spectacle on stage. Each one is able to wow, or create conversations.

As it is, there is a lot to consider when it comes to designing for beauty pageants.

Malaysia’s past designs have resembled objects like the KLCC Twin Towers, a nasi lemak dish, a traditional fishing boat, a kampung house, and the iconic Mount Kinabalu.

This is in line with what other countries have showcased at the competition’s finals in the past decade – which can be seen as quirky and avant-garde, or even downright peculiar.

Last year, the Philippines won “Best National Costume” for a design resembling an airplane.

Thailand snagged the award in 2015 with an outfit inspired by a Tuk-Tuk (the famous three-wheeled auto rickshaw of Bangkok). Myanmar won at the 2016 pageant for a costume bringing to life a Burmese puppet show.

Here’s a roundup of the more recent Miss Universe Malaysia national costumes.