Miss Universe Thailand dons dress made of drink can tabs, pays tribute to her garbage collector parents
While Singapore's Miss Universe pulled up in a dress with 3D-printed Vanda Miss Joaquim flowers for the national costume, Miss Universe Thailand's evening gown uniquely celebrates her heritage. Anna Sueangam-iam, 24, wore a stunning gown made entirely of recycled pull tabs from cans bedazzled with Swarovski crystals.
The dress was designed by the Thai fashion brand Manirat, and called the "Hidden Precious Diamond Dress". As Sueangam-iam explained in an Instagram post, her dress was inspired by the "familiar surroundings" of her childhood. "Growing up with garbage collector parents, my life as a child was among piles of garbage and recyclables," she wrote.
According to Next Shark, Sueangam-iam was born into poverty in Bangkok. She played with toys her parents found in the trash, and other children bullied her, calling her "Miss Garbage". "This unique gown was purposefully tailored-made with discarded and recycled materials," she wrote, adding that "what's considered worthless by many actually possesses its own value and beauty." Sueangam-iam's goal is to become Thailand's third Miss Universe crown holder. The two women who previously won the title for Thailand were Portip Nakhirunkanok in 1988 and Apasra Hongsakula in 1965.
62 wildest national costumes from the 71st annual Miss Universe pageant
Miss Universe contestants competed in the National Costume Contest
The annual Miss Universe National Costume Contest took place in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Wednesday.
Contestants wore eye-catching outfits that celebrated their cultures.
The most memorable looks from the event featured dramatic headpieces, sheer fabric, and feathers.
Meet the 86 women competing in the Miss Universe 2022
Miss Ukraine, Viktoriia Apanasenko, and Miss South Africa, Ndavi Nokeri
The 71st annual Miss Universe pageant will be held on January 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Eighty-six women from all over the world are competing for the crown.
The contestants are doctors, lawyers, advocates, makeup artists, and more.
Miss Universe 2022
Miss Universe 2022 was the 71st Miss Universe pageant, held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States on January 14, 2023. Harnaaz Sandhu of India crowned R'Bonney Gabriel of the United States as Miss Universe 2022. It is the United States' first victory in 10 years, and the ninth victory of the country - the most by any country in the pageant's history.
Contestants from 84 countries and territories competed in this year's pageant. The competition was hosted by Jeannie Mai and Miss Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo; Culpo last served as host during Miss Universe 2020, while Mai last served as backstage correspondent during Miss Universe 2014. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray and Zuri Hall served as backstage correspondents. This marks the first time in a 70-year history to have an all-female presenting panel.
This was the first edition of the pageant to be held under the ownership of Thailand-based JKN Global Group, which purchased the Miss Universe Organization from WME/IMG on October 26, 2022. The competition was the first event since 1954 not to be televised in any major American television network, but it would air on the streaming provider The Roku Channel as the official broadcaster of the show for the first time. It was also the first Miss Universe event to be aired by JKN Global Group's television networks, JKN18 and JKN-CNBC as the pageant's official broadcaster for Thailand where the expanded headquarters of Miss Universe Organization is located.
Miss Universe 1952 - The first Miss Universe pageant
Armi Kuusela of Finland as Miss Universe 1952
Miss Universe 1952 was the first Miss Universe pageant, held at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium in Long Beach, California, United States on 28 June 1952.
At the end of the event, actress Piper Laurie crowned Armi Kuusela of Finland as Miss Universe 1952. It was the first victory of Finland in the history of the pageant.
Contestants from 30 countries and territories participated in this year's pageant. The pageant was hosted by Bob Russell. The competition featured the Romanov Imperial Nuptial Crown, which was previously owned by a Russian czar. The crown was said to have 1,535 diamonds, 300 carats, and was valued at $500,000.
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