Every year, we wait for the national costume that will be worn at Miss Universe to be revealed. Will it have feathers? Will it have diamonds? Splits? Or just a plain one?
With an eco-friendly costume made from recycled plastic waste and inspired by Mount Kinabalu, this year’s national costume restores beauty to the Earth.
Photo via Malay Mail
Lesley Cheam, winner of Miss Universe Malaysia 2022 will be wearing the beautiful outfit on 23 January at the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States.
Hatta Dolmat, a well-known local designer created the stunning dress. According to the designer, he was inspired by the highest peak in Borneo and Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu that is located in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia’s most remarkable landmarks.
“Typically when we endorse Malaysia internationally, we tend to focus on our culture, however we have many natural wonders to highlight, especially in Sabah,” he told Malay Mail.
Photo via Malay Mail
He explains that the outfit consists of a headpiece and dress made of silver and grey, that are meant to resemble granite boulders on the side of the mountain. A cape with similar embellishment resembles the mountain’s slope.
Every component of the costume is made from recycled plastics, in line with Hatta’s environmental-friendly message.
The six-person team needed six months to complete the costume, which ended up weighing more than 10kg.
Cheam, who spoke to reporters said: “It is a privilege to wear a costume related to Mount Kinabalu as it is a part of beautiful Malaysia.
“I support environmental change and sustainability and I feel honoured to highlight Malaysia’s natural wonders.”
The dress is stunning!
