Cover image via Miss Universe Malaysia
Ahead of the Miss Universe final in Philippines at the end of the month, the national costume of Malaysia has been unveiled… and it's certainly an eye-catching (if not jaw-dropping) one
The futuristic silver jumpsuit will be donned by **Kiran Jassal**, who was crowned Miss Universe Malaysia 2016 in January last year. Designed by local fashion designer duo Rizman Ruzaini, the costume is embellished with custom-made multi-coloured Swarovski diamonds and complemented with a diamond choker to represent the Sky Bridge. On the shoulders and wrapped around the sleeves are laser cut metal encrusted with diamonds and sparkles handmade especially for Kiran.
The aspiring dentist from Subang Jaya will be representing Malaysia at the Miss Universe 2017 final, which will be held in the Philippines on 30 January 2017.
Will it win us the Best National Costume Award? That remains to be seen, but the Petronas Twin Towers-inspired costume certainly sparked some differing opinions among Malaysians.
Some were of the opinion that the costume is "ridiculous", saying that it was interpreted too literally and lacking in imagination
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However, most comments are supportive of the costume, with some explaining the reasoning behind the unconventional design
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In the past years, Malaysia's national costumes have mainly stuck to showcasing designs inspired by traditional costumes and cultural elements
From left: Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 Carey Ng, Miss Universe Malaysia 2014 Sabrina Benneet, and Miss Universe 2015 Vanessa Tevi Kumares.
Image via The Miss Universe Organization
But it's the wacky, over-the-top costumes truly stand out in the national costume segment of Miss Universe pageants. In fact, last year, the Best National Costume Award went to Miss Thailand's tuk-tuk getup!
Also, how could we forget Miss Universe Canada's hockey scoreboard dress in 2014?
Image via Miss Universe
Or when Miss USA went as a Transformer in 2013?
Image via AP
