Top 10 most spectacular National Costumes at Miss Universe 2018

Text by R. Galvez
Photos by Bong Tan/Missosology.Org

Missosology collated the choices of editors, correspondents and beauty experts and came out with the list of candidates who stood-out during the National Costume contest. Below are their Top 10 picks. Do you agree with their choices? Who do you think will win the award? Comment below!

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No. 10 – Thailand
Sophida Kanchanarin looks like a royalty in her traditional Thai costume but the the highlight of the piece is the accompanying white elephant. Entitled Chang – the icon of Thailand, the costume was designed by Tee Phasux. It echoes the tradition in Thailand wherein white elephants are considered as sacred.

No. 9 – Laos
On-anong Homsombath carried a heavy ensemble of golden angels inspired by the traditional Lao art.

No. 8 – Japan
This sailor moon costume of Yuumi Kato was an instant hit even before she landed in Thailand.

No. 7 – Vietnam
A tribute to Vietnam’s ubiquitous snack called banh mi, this costume was carried by Miss Vietnam H’Hen Niê with pride.

No. 6 – Mexico
The 14 kg costume barely worried Miss Mexico Andrea Toscana. She looked comfortable onstage despite the heavy load. The costume is called “Reina Jaguar” and draws inspiration from the pre-Hispanic culture of the Mayans.

No. 5 – Ecuador
Named as “La belleza en estado puro” (Beauty in its purest form), the national costume of Virginia Limongi is a feast to the eyes. She sashayed onstage with pure elegance giving the flora and fauna of Ecuador a much needed spotlight.

No. 4 – India
Nehal Chudasama takes pride in her national costume that pays tribute to Rani Rudrama Devi, a southern Indian princess warrior. It represents the strength and valor of a woman and was created by designers Neeta Lulla and Melvyn Dominic Noronha.

No. 3 – Canada
Called the Queen of the Maple Leaf, Marta Magdalena Stępień’s national costume was “inspired by the Canadian flag, and the historical significance that the maple leaf” holds to Canada.

No. 2 – El Salvador
Marisela de Montecristo’s national costume is an exuberant display of primarily while colors and sapphire details. Her costume is inspired by Festival de Panchimalco or the Fiesta de las Flores y Palmas (Feast of Flowers and Palms) which is held every May in El Salvador.

And the Best in National Costume according to our panel is…

Miss Brazil Mayra Dias donned a costume inspired by Parintins Folklore Festival which is the third largest festival in Brazil (after the Carnivals of Rio de Janeiro and Salvador). The plumed national costume pays homage to the indigenous people of the Amazon region. A secret remote control triggered a mechanical motor which transformed the costume into a beija-flor (hummingbird).