Miss Universe 2021 National Costume

May 14, 2021

By Monito Power

5. THAILAND - Amanda Obdam “Siamese Fighting Fish”

In Thai, this queen’s national costume “Trirong Anongnat Suphanmacha,” is inspired by the iconic Siamese Fighting Fish and the “Lady in Literature.” Bearing a fish’s head front and center, Amanda’s costume features wing-like layers of fabric to mimic a fish’s fins.

Miss Thailand Amanda Obdam , wearing her Siamese Fighting Fish National Costume

Such Siamese Fighting Fish in real life even sell for thousands of dollars just on their own when caught with a rare colour patterns, just like the Thai flag as it’s beautifully showcased on the final costume that Amanda will wear on-stage. The costume is made and designed by Mr. Akarat Phusanaphong and was originally worn by Thai-Swiss beauty queen Praewatchara Scmid when she competed for the title of Miss Universe Thailand 2020 in October.

4. THE NETHERLANDS - Denise Speelman by Miss Pearl Couture

Miss Nederland Denise Speelman by Miss Pearl Couture, Dutch National Costume

In an Instagram IGTV post revealing her national costume, Miss Nederland 2020 goes on to explain that her orange dress designed by Miss Pearl Couture is a representation of joy, enthusiasm, creativity, and “our colourful open-minded country where the foundation is freedom.”

Iconic Dutch symbols including windmills, delft blue pottery, cotton candy stands, tulips, and more emblems of The Netherlands can be seen artistically hand-painted on the orange fabric of the costume, which is all Dutch silk. Denise revealed her costume on April 27, which is Kingsday in The Netherlands.

3. VIETNAM - Nguyen Tran Khanh Van “Ken Em”

“Ken Em” is a story-telling costume that omits how silk weaving is a staple of the history of the Vietnamese people. All of the costume is said to be a result of meticulous hand-knitting techniques, with bountiful streams of silk seen throughout the piece.

Miss Vietnam Nguyen Tran Khanh Van, wearing an Ao Dai that tells the "Ken Em" costume story for her national costume

Once stepping outside the costume’s “cocoon,” Khanh Van is revealed to be wearing a white Vietnamese Ao Dai, noted to be the final product of endless effort and enthusiasm of craftsmanship. Just like Denise’s costume, the Vietnamese titleholder revealed hers on April 27 just days prior to departing for the United States.

2. UKRAINE - Yelizaveta Yastremskaya “Vytynanka Soul”

The national costume of Ukraine, “Vytynanka,” comes from the Ukrainian word for “cut.” As Liza Yastremskaya, Miss Universe Ukraine 2020 describes in an Instagram post alongside her organization, “Vytynanka’s were used to decorate walls, windows, shelves, and tables.” They were made of fabric and leather and also used to decorate clothes.

Miss Ukraine Yelizaveta Yastremskaya wearing her "Vytynanka Soul” national costume

Vytynanka came in many shapes and forms of representation, but Yelizaveta’s costume is a representation only to be described as when “Life sometimes leaves holes in people’s souls, but God makes them a beautiful harmonious picture that instead reflects on the inner beauty of a human.” With an overall white motif, her outfit also includes wings and reflective materials that are like mirrors.

1. NEPAL - Anshika Sharma “Ode to Mountaineers”

Miss Nepal Anshika Sharma wearing her “Ode to Mountaineers” national costume

Miss Universe Nepal Anshika Sharma displays a unique outfit inspired by the prayer flags and climbers to the highest point in the world, Mt. Everest, located in Nepal. Being propped out from a breathtaking 3D-printed mandala backpack, motorized prayer flags made from pure satin silk extend to give the costume colour.

Costume designer Bina Ghale on Instagram is quoted saying, “The weight of the prop is almost 10kgs and it took us a month of trial and errors.” Anshika’s costume is equipped with an art and Sherpa-inspired oxygen mask, a white jumpsuit as the costume’s base, and even a pop-up Mount. Everest may be carted along the stage once showcased tonight in Florida.

These eye-catching marvels that are national costumes can be viewed in live time, along with many others, tonight at the YouTube channel of the Miss Universe Organization on May 13 at 8 pm ET and can be looked at afterward once the full telecast is posted to YouTube. The Preliminary Competition takes place on May 14th at 7 pm ET, also available for streaming on the official MUO YouTube channel. The grand finale will happen this Sunday, May 16th at 8 pm, and can be watched live on the FYI channel in the US to see who takes home the title of the 69th Miss Universe.

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