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.
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
Designer duo Rizman Ruzaini created a futuristic national costume inspired by the iconic Twin Towers for Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 Kiran Jassal. Photo: The Star/ONG SOON HIN
The national costume by Brian Khoo for Miss Universe Malaysia 2017 Samantha Katie James represented everyone’s favourite dish, the nasi lemak. Photo: The STar/SS KANESAN
Miss Universe Malaysia 2018 Jane Teoh was seen in a national costume designed by Salleh Hamid. It is inspired by a traditional Malay boat. Photo: Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation
Miss Universe Malaysia 2019 Shweta Sekhon represented the country in a extremely colourful national costume by Carven Ong. It paid tribute to the rich cultural influences from Malay, Chinese and Peranakan communities. Photo: Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation
Miss Universe Malaysia 2022 Lesley Cheam donned a national costume by Hatta Dolmat inspired by Mount Kinabalu. The eco-friendly design was made using recycled plastic waste. Photo: Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation
