El Salvador's Vanessa Velásquez to wear 'Flor de Izote' national costume at the 69th Miss Universe

Miss Universe El Salvador 2020 Vanessa Velásquez will be wearing a "Flor de Izote" national costume at the 69th Miss Universe pageant in Hollywood, Florida this May.

The beautiful creation of Francisco Guerrero was inspired by El Salvador's national flower, a symbol of pride that showcases the identity and richness of the country’s people and its breathtaking landscapes.

Flor de Izote’s versatility is reminiscent of Salvadorans' rooted inspiration, appreciation, and love for their emblem because of its ability to offset the planet’s carbon footprint.

In addition, the flower has medicinal value and the stems are used to create beautiful textiles and nutritious dishes. It’s a reminder to our world and a call for action to protect the environment and to appreciate every blooming flower and plant on our planet.

Photos: Estudio Guti

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Universe Nepal 2025 is Sanya Adhikari

Image
Sanya Adhikari was crowned Miss Universe Nepal 2025 on Wednesday, September 24 at the Royal Tulip in Kathmandu. The 23-year-old beauty edged out 13 other contestants to win the national competition. She also bagged the Miss Smart award. Aarohi Basnet was named first runner-up while Sonalisa Dhungana, Alina Yary, and Jyoti Thapa were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Nepal is a graduate of Assumption University in Bangkok and currently working as a contractor for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Sanya succeeded last year's winner Sampada Ghimire and will now prepare to represent her country at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Nepal Global Glamour Venture (@missuniversenepalglobalglamour) Photos: Miss Universe Nepal Global Glamour Venture / Insta...
Read more

Señorita Colombia 2021 is Valentina Espinosa of Bolívar

Image
Valentina Espinosa, the representative of the Bolívar department, was chosen as the new Señorita Colombia 2021 (Miss Colombia 2021) in a ceremony full of color, music, and a lot of Colombian talent on Sunday, November 14 at the Auditorio Getsemaní del Centro de Convenciones Julio Cesar Turbay Ayala in Cartagena. The 23-year-old social communication and journalism professional triumphed over 24 other beauties to win her national title. She succeeds María Fernanda Aristizábal Urrea and is expected to represent her country at the next Miss Supranational edition in Poland. Natalia López Cardona of Quindío placed second and was named Virreina Nacional while Karen Julieth Ortiz Díaz finished as the first princess. Chocó’s María Lucía Cuesta Arias and Sucre’s Yamile Dajud Zuluaga were the second and third princesses, respectively. The new Señorita Colombia describes herself as "a brave, fighter, persevering, kind and happy and fair woman who seeks equality and equity. Someone who always ...
Read more

Miss USA 2024: Meet the contestants

Image
The 51 state winners competing for Miss USA 2024 have already been crowned in their respective state competitions. This year's pageant is considered the most diverse in the 73-year history of Miss USA since the Miss Universe Organization changed rules allowing all women from age 18 to compete. There's a contestant over 40 years old, married women, mothers, and a transgender woman, all vying for the highly coveted national beauty title. Hawaii's Savannah Gankiewicz , who became Miss USA 2023 following Noelia Voigt's resignation, will crown her successor on Sunday, August 4 in Los Angeles, California. Miss USA 2024 is set to return to LA after nearly two decades. The final show is set to take place at the Peacock Theater and will air LIVE on The CW Network. Formerly Nokia Theatre and Microsoft Theater, the theater auditorium seats 7,100 and holds one of the largest indoor stages in the United States of America. Who will be crowned the 73rd Miss USA? Meet the 51 contestant...
Read more

Miss Universe Brazil 2024 is Luana Cavalcante

Image
Pernambucana Luana Cavalcante was crowned Miss Universe Brazil 2024 in a national competition held on Thursday, September 19 at Teatro Gamaro in São Paulo. The 25-year-old model and actress from the state of Pernambuco will represent Brazil at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. Gabriele Marinho of Alagoas and Maria Fabiana Mata of Rio de Janeiro were proclaimed the first and second runners-up, respectively. Eduarda Dallagnol of Rio Grande do Sul, Tatiana Gonçalves of Minas Gerais, Taynara Gargantini of Paraná, and Letícia Galvão of Espírito Santo completed the Top 7 finalists. The new Miss Universe Brazil was crowned by the reigning Miss Universe from Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, who graced the event as a special guest. She received her sash from former titleholder and Miss Universe 2020 first runner-up Julia Gama. "There are no words to describe the emotion I have to be able to say that I am the first Pernambucana and mother to become Miss Universe Brazi...
Read more

South Carolina's Tess Ferm crowned Miss America's Teen 2026

Image
South Carolina's Tess Ferm bested 51 other contestants to win Miss America's Teen 2026 on Saturday, September 6 at the Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts in Orlando, Florida. The 18-year-old student and food allergy advocate from Charleston succeeds Peyton Bolling of Arkansas. She became me the third winner from South Carolina after Taylor Fitch (2009) and Rachel Wyatt (2013). Sara DeVolld of Sara DeVolld was named first runner-up while Emma Fossum of Texas, Delaney Higgins of New Jersey, and Ashton Blake Hart of District of Columbia were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Reagan Khloe Moore of Georgia, Jasmine Wu of California, Fiona Treiber of Iowa, Allison Payton of Ohio, Mila Pearl of Oregon, and Lynzi Allen of Pennsylvania completed the Top 11 semifinalists. The newly crowned Miss America's Teen is a graduate of Porter-Gaud and is set to begin her freshman year at Furman University. She is dedicated to advocating food alle...
Read more

Miss World Italy 2026 is Mia Zottoli Montanaro from Puglia

Image
Mia Zottoli Montanaro was proclaimed the winner of Miss Mondo Italia 2026 (Miss World Italy) last Sunday, June 14 at the Ecoresort Le Sirenè in Gallipoli. The 21-year-old model and former volleyball player of Argentine descent from Taranto, Puglia was crowned by her predecessor Sofia Viola. Basma Zaid of Basilicata and Azzura Sandrini of Lombardia were announced the first and second runners-up, respectively. Caterina Noghera of Veneto, Lara Boemio of Toscana, and Ginevra Pagano of Campania rounded out the Top 6 finalists. The new Miss World Italy is expected to represent her country at the 75th Miss World (Miss World 2028) competition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Mondo Italia (@missmondoitalia) Photos: Miss Mondo Italia / Instagram
Read more

Singer-songwriter Sigga Ózk crowned Miss Iceland 2026

Image
Sigríður Ósk Hrafnkelsdóttir, also known as Sigga Ózk, was crowned Ungfrú Ísland 2026 (Miss Iceland 2026) on Wednesday, April 22 at at Gamla Bíó in Reykjavík. The singer-songwriter from Garðabær will now prepare to represent Iceland at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Puerto Rico this November. Aníta Mist Davíðsdóttir was named first runner-up while Elínborg Hrannarsdóttir, Nadía Líf Pálsdóttir, Soffía Ellín Stella Gísladóttir were the second, third and fourth runners-up, respectively. "Wow I'm speechless. I am so endlessly grateful for all the girls in the group, the girls on the team, the judges and everyone who cheered me on," the new Miss Iceland shared online. Sigga holds a bachelor's degree in education and speaks Swedish fluently. She participated in Iceland's national contest, Söngvakeppnin, in both 2023 and 2024, making it to the finals each time. Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared b...
Read more

Miss Universe Spain 2026 is Susana Medina of Las Palmas

Image
Susana Medina from Las Palmas beat 16 other contestants to win Miss Universe Spain 2026 on Saturday, July 18 in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife. The 27-year-old model and actress will represent Spain at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico this November. "Today starts a new phase filled with dreams, challenges and great opportunities. We are sure you will represent Spain with elegance, strength, authenticity and all your heart," the Miss Universe Spain organization shared online. The new Miss Universe Spain is no stranger to pageantry. In 2024, she was crowned Miss Grand Spain and finished third runner-up at Miss Grand International 2024 in Thailand. Prior to Saturday's national competition, Susana shared: "This evening, I will take the stage for the Miss Universe Spain grand final. Come what may, my heart is already full of gratitude for this journey and for everyone who has believed in me." Road to the 75th Miss Universe: View this post on Instag...
Read more

Miss Universe Venezuela 2025 is Clara Vegas of Miranda

Image
Clara Vegas triumphed over 21 other contestants to win the title of Miss Universe Venezuela 2025 on Thursday, December 4 in Caracas. The 23-year-old model and actress from Miranda will represent Venezuela at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant to be held in Puerto Rico. Maria Evangelista Alayon of Amazonas was named first runner-up while Milena Paola Soto of Mérida, Gabriela de la Cruz of Yaracuy, and Gabriela Villegas of Monagas were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 12 were the representatives of  Barinas, Anabelly Ojeda, Bolívar, Yosdanny Navarro, Delta Amacuro, Kelly Maita, Dependencias Federales, Valentina Martínez, Portuguesa, Génesis Mendoza, Sucre, Rosangel Mundaraín, and Táchira, Valeria del Amor. The new Miss Universe Venezuela was crowned by her predecessor Stephany Abasali who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2025 last month in Thailand. Clara is the daughter of former Miss Venezuela Andreína Goetz who made the Top 10 at...
Read more

Baguio's Gwendoline Soriano crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2026

Image
Binibining Pilipinas 2026, the 62nd Binibining Pilipinas pageant, was held on Saturday, July 18 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Gwendoline Soriano of Baguio City was crowned Binibining Pilipinas International 2026 and will represent the Philippines at Miss International 2027 in Japan. Crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe 2026 was Sasha Lacuna of Tarlac Province. She will go to Albania for The Miss Globe 2026 pageant later this year. Julianne Raine Antonio of Dumaguete City and Tracy Mae Sunio of Bacolod City were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 12 were beauties from Cagayan de Oro, Gwyneth Jemimah Chan; Tanza, Mylene Manschus; Oriental Mindoro, Angelica Arwin Evora; Pampanga, Anne Klein Castro; Cauayan, Isabela, Jarina Sandhu; Iloilo, Patricia Lynn Beerda; Aklan, Pauline Thea Ann Ibuyan; and La Union, Anjali Pradeep Kumar. A total of 35 contestants representing various cities and provinces were selected to compete for the national crowns. L...
Read more