BEYOND COSTUME BEYOND COSTUME
Beyond Costume: Traditional & Cultural Heritage that speak through Fashion By
Su Aung
Since I was young, I’ve always been fascinated by beauty pageants. After all, who hasn’t heard of Miss Universe, Miss Earth, and so many others? These grand competitions are held with dazzling spectacle, and that is impossible to ignore Yet, beyond the glamour, it’s not just about fashion or beautiful women competing for the crown. It’s also a celebration of each nation’s unique values, culture, and traditions beautifully woven into the stage.
Beyond the glamour, what truly inspires me about these pageants is the powerful mission behind their foundation, each one built on a purpose that goes far deeper than beauty itself. Modern pageants have evolved beyond physical appearance. Today’s queens stand for advocacy, intelligence, and compassion Whether it’s environmental awareness through Miss Earth or educational empowerment through Miss World, these platforms redefine what it truly means to be beautiful. One of the most inspiring shifts in recent years is the move toward sustainability. Contestants proudly wear ecofriendly gowns made from recycled materials or ethically sourced fabrics. As a sustainable fashion entrepreneur, Fashion becomes more meaningful when it protects the planet: proving that glamour and responsibility can coexist beautifully.
The shimmering gowns, radiant smiles, and breathtaking costumes, it’s hard not to be mesmerized There are a few dresses that stuck in my heart not only because of what I saw, but also the emotion that made me feel for years. They are
1) “Hidden Precious Diamond Gown” worn by Anna Sueangam-iam (Miss Universe Thailand 2022)
2) “Peepal Tree National Costume” worn by RainaMagjaiya (Miss Earth Nepal 2023)
3) “La Paz Batchoy, National Costume” worn by AnnPalmares (Miss World Philippines 2021)
There is a recycled dress worn by Anna Sueangam-iam, Miss Universe Thailand in 2022 and it went a viral sensational on social media around the globe. The story of creation for the dress is really touching. The gown is made with the recycled soda can taps, Swarovski crystals, and mirror fragments. The father of Miss Universe Thailand used to be a garbage collector, and she just wanted to pay homage to her parents by sharing the story through her dress on the world stage of the biggest Pageant Show
She said
“This dress was made from the can tabs that people usually discard It’s a symbol that even from the garbage, something beautiful can rise.”
Miss Universe Thailand, 2022
We all might remember the fashion trend about 3D leaves on dresses and tops It was really trendy that big fashion brands even have their own creations, which are obviously inspired by the Peepal Dress. That’s why I always remember it, Miss Earth Nepal National Costume in 2023. The dress is a case of fashion meeting environmental symbolism in pageants featuring branches and leaves motifs and eco-conscious materials. The design inspiration is representing the deep connection between nature, spirituality, and Nepali cultural heritage. The tree is culturally significant as the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
Another dress that stuck in my heart among all those Misses’ iconic dress is “La Paz Batchoy, National Costume” which was worn by AnnPalmares, Miss World Philippines in 2021. It is because I received the message that she wanted to send The rest of the world wouldn’t know the national dish of the Philippines until that dress. The inspiration of the dress is a local Filipino dish called La Paz Batchoy, which is a kind of noodle soup: featuring realistic models of the dish’s ingredients such as eggs, pork cracklings, noodles, etc. Everybody knows what kind of Filipino food we should try since then. Normally, contestants inspire national fruits or flowers in their designs, Miss World Philippines embraced everyday culture in a playful yet meaningful way, making it more relatable and memorable.
My favorite part of the pageant shows is always the Runway of Cultures. I love fashion that is rooted with traditional and cultural heritage. The national costume segment is a breathtaking reminder that fashion is a form of storytelling. The contestants represent their country, culture and heritage They usually elaborate and artistic handcrafted the symbolism of traditional myths, landmarks or cultural icons. Each contestant becomes a living canvas, wearing her culture proudly through textiles, motifs, and craftsmanship passed down for generations. Designers transform traditional attire into modern art pieces, a perfect dialogue between heritage and innovation.
Here are the top three national costumes from Miss Grand International, the most recent pageant of the year as I write this There are so many outstanding costumes and performances but there are only three spots for the winning prizes. The winners of the National Costumes of “The Miss Grand International 2025” are:
1) Miss Grand Thailand, Sarunrat Puagpipat
2) Miss Grand India, Vishakha Kanwar
3) Miss Grand Brazil, Kaliana Diniz
1) Miss Grand Thailand, Sarunrat Puagpipat – The costume is honoring ancestors and community joy. It’s not only a symbol of traditional and spiritual beliefs but also represents the commitment to faith, resilience and unity Miss Grand Thailand is in the costume sharing Thailand's living heritage to the world. No wonder she won the best national costume, her performance in the costume is a showstopper as we all witnessed her dance in such grace and confidence.
3) Miss Grand Brazil, Kaliana Diniz –The Costume tribute to the Formula One Champion, Ayrton Senna, who became one of Brazil's greatest heroes. Apart from his winning victories, he inspired the world with his courage, simplicity, discipline and deep love for his country. Miss Grand Brazil symbolized in her national costumes as a Brazilian soul
2) Miss Grand India, Vishakha Kanwar – The Costume is inspired by the Koki Avatar. The prophecy 10 incarnation of Lord Vishnu destined to end darkness and restore Dharma. The design embodies purity, justice and divine power, and the triumph of truth over darkness. Miss Grand India in her national costumes is a message of hope and renewal.
“Congratulations” to Miss Grand Philippines for Crowning “Miss Grand International, 2025 ” This beautiful Filipino, Emma Mary Tiglao, deserved the Crown, she sure has Beauty, Body and Brain as a Miss should have. So, I should definitely present her with a national costume. The costume is honoring Mayari, the Goddess of Moon in Philippine Mythology, symbolizing strength, beauty and equality. In the costume, Miss Grand Philippines embodied the modern Mayari - radiant, fearless and divine
Finally I would like to take the opportunity to show the Myanmar costume as well. Even though she didn’t win any prize, she did her best in every moment of the competition. Her name is JK Sophia, and as a Myanmar, we are so proud of her that she is represented as “Miss Grand Myanmar.” Her costume is inspired by the Shan Royal Queen in the 19 Century, embodying the royal heritage with dignity, grandeur and timeless beauty th
Beauty Pageants teach us that fashion is not only about what we wear but how we carry it Confidence, posture, and grace transform even the simplest outfit into something unforgettable and showing that beauty is not just seen, but felt. As for me, it is just a chance to learn about Fashion that has no borders. A gown handcrafted in Yangon might captivate audiences in Paris or New York. Many contestants collaborate with local designers, giving them an international stage to shine These partnerships prove that pageants are not only about personal dreams, but also about elevating creative communities.
Beauty pageants may begin with a dress and a dream, but they end with something far more powerful a celebration of diversity, creativity, and confidence. My personal takeaway behind the dazzling crowns and glittering gowns lies something deeper, I learn more about fashion, identity, values, culture and the evolving definition of beauty, and truly open the window into the world’s diverse expressions of grace, talent and humanity.
For Your Information, here are the Crown Dates to stream for upcoming Beauty Pageant Competitions:
Miss Earth: November 5, 2025
Miss Universe: November 21, 2025
Miss International: November 27, 2025
Photo Source: www.missuniverse.com/the-competition-thailand/