Designer infuses local heritage into Malaysia’s couture creation for pageant

Regal: Leggett wearing the Kebaya Mandagie at the unveiling ceremony recently. With her is Mandagie.

MALAYSIAN designer Jovian Mandagie’s creation — Kebaya Mandagie — will be Kimberley Leggett’s national costume in the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada on Dec 19.

Miss Universe Malaysia Organisation national director Andrea Fonseka said they decided to commission Mandagie because of his gift in marrying high-end fashion with couture to producie something unique yet refined.