Ukraine's Viktoria Apanasenko reveals national costume for 71st Miss Universe


Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko finally revealed her symbolic national costume for the 71st Miss Universe pageant.

The "Warrior of Light" costume symbolizes her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting Ukraine. It was completed in four months of extreme conditions, to the sound of sirens, without electricity, and by candlelight.

In addition to a weapon in her hand, the costume also features a monolithic jumpsuit that covers Viktoria's body like armor, a vyshyvanka-styled white dress with puffy sleeves and skirt with over 10 meters of fabric, a beautiful headpiece, and wings inspired by the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

"It is the personification of inner strength, courage, determination and will flowing in our veins. War cannot break our strength and will not discolor our hearts. Ukraine will bloom like a phoenix even in a fire. It shines with bright rays of kindness and faith," Viktoria shared on social media.

"We are all true warriors of light - unbreakable, made of steel, who will definitely defeat the darkness and evil that has come to our land," she added.

Designed by costume designer Lesia Patoka, the meaningful national costume will be showcased during the upcoming 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA this January.

Photos: Olena Rozbytska / Miss Ukraine

Popular posts from this blog

LIVE UPDATES: Miss Universe Thailand 2023 Final Competition Results

Image
The Miss Universe Thailand 2023 final competition is taking place tonight at MCC Hall, The Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan in Nonthaburi. One of the 53 contestants vying for the coveted title will walk away with an opportunity to represent Thailand at Miss Universe 2023 this November in El Salvador. Hosted by DJ and media personality, the spectacular show is streaming live on the official Miss Universe and TPNG YouTube channels. A distinguished selection committee who will have the most difficult task of selecting the winner includes former titleholders Miss Universe Thailand 2017 Maria Poonlertlarp (Miss Universe 2017 Top 5 finalist) and  Miss Universe Thailand 2021  Anchilee Scott-Kemmis, and Miss Universe Philippines 2022 Celeste Cortesi. Who will be the next Miss Universe Thailand? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Thailand (@missuniverse.in.th) --- FINAL RESULTS --- TOP 20 14 MUT Uttaradit - Worawalan Phutklang 23 MUT Khon Kaen -...
Read more

Miss Universe Mexico 2025 is Fatima Bosch of Tabasco

Image
Fatima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe Mexico 2025 on Saturday, September 13 at Sala Placido Domingo (Conjunto Santander de Artes Escénicas) in Zapopan, Jalisco. The 24-year-old designer from Teapa, Tabasco triumphed over 30 other contestants to win the coveted national title. She will represent Mexico at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Fernanda Vázquez of Nuevo León was named first runner-up while Yoana Gutiérrez of Jalisco, Ana Ramírez of Nayarit, and Alejandra Díaz de León of San Luis Potosí were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark graced the event as special guest while former Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico was part of the panel of judges. The new Miss Universe Mexico succeeded last year's winner María Fernanda Beltrán who placed second runner-up at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico City. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram ...
Read more

Meet the winners of Miss Turkey 2025

Image
The glittering Miss Turkey 2025 national competition was held last December 19 at the Lazzoni Hotel in Istanbul. A total of 20 stunning finalists were chosen to compete for the national titles that were at stake — Miss Turkey World and Miss Turkey Supranational. Sıla Saraydemir, a 22-year-old student, was crowned Miss Turkey World 2025. She is expected to represent Turkey at the 73rd Miss World competition whose date and venue have yet to be announced. The new Miss Turkey World received her crown and sash from former titleholder, Miss Turkey World 1995 Demet Şener. Last year's winner Idil Bilgen was unable to attend the show and pass the crown to her successor because she is currently abroad for her studies. "Today I received not a crown, but a responsibility. Winning Miss Turkey is a shared story of women who believe in their dreams, aren't afraid to make their voices heard, and empower each other," Sıla shared online after the competition. "I thank everyone who...
Read more

Miss Turkey 2024: Meet the Top 20 finalists

Image
A total of 20 finalists have been selected to compete for Miss Turkey 2024 following an elimination round held on Wednesday, September 4 in Istanbul. The grand final will take place on September 11 at the Lazzoni Hotel and the winners are expected to represent Turkey at the next Miss World and Miss Supranational pageants. No competition was held last year and this year's upcoming final will be the 42nd edition of the annual national pageant. In May, the Miss Turkey Organization headed by Can Sandıkcıoğlu officially announced that it parted ways with the Miss Universe Organization after more than 40 years. Its last representative was Aleyna Şirin who competed in Miss Universe 2022 which was held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA in January 2023. The national organization that achieved Turkey's first Miss World winner courtesy of Azra Akın (Miss Turkey and Miss World 2002) will continue to send contestants to Miss World and Miss Supranational. Who will become the next Miss Turkey? ...
Read more

Miss Universe 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
Miss Universe 2025, the 74th Miss Universe competition is set to take place on Friday, November 21 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark will hand over her crown to her successor at the conclusion of the event. This year's much-talked-about edition marked Thailand's fourth time hosting the prestigious beauty pageant after 1992, 2005, and 2018. Following the withdrawal of several countries including Cameroon, Germany, Iceland, Kenya, Mongolia, and Montenegro, 122 contestants from various countries and territories are left competing for the coveted international beauty title. The competition has welcomed the debuts of Miss Universe Latina, Cape Verde, Mayotte, Palestine, and Rwanda as well as the return of Ghana, Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo, Panama, Slovenia, South Africa and Sweden. Bonaire and Rwanda, both 42 years old, are the oldest participants this year while 18-year-old Belarus and Ireland are the youngest. For the fir...
Read more

Miss Universe Chile 2025 is Inna Moll from Vitacura

Image
Inna Moll, representing Vitacura, was crowned Miss Universe Chile 2025 in a national competitipn held on Friday, August 1 in Santiago. The 28-year-old model and influencer will now prepare to represent Chile at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Martina Kriskovich of Huechuraba was named first runner-up while María Jesús Honorato of Las Condes, Scarlett Hermosilla of Lo Barnechea, and Paula Jiménez of Providencia were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. This year's final competition was held at the studio of Canal 13 television network. Reigning Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark graced the glittering event as a special guest. The new Miss Universe Chile succeeds last year's winner Emilia Dides who made the Top 12 at Miss Universe 2024 last November in Mexico. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universo Chile® (@misschileuniverso) Photos: Anto...
Read more

Miss Charm 2025 is Anna Blanco from Venezuela

Image
Anna Blanco Flores from Venezuela beat over 30 other contestant to win Miss Charm 2025 on Friday, December 12 in Ho Chi Minh City. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter and model was crowned by her predecessor Rashmita Rasindran from Malaysia. She became the first Venezuelan woman to hold the international beauty title. Luisa Victoria Malz from Germany and Rinanda Maharani from Indonesia were respectively announced the first and second runners-up while Francia Cortés of Mexico and Naruemol Phimphakdee of Thailand rounded out the Top 5 finalists. The contestants from Bolivia, Estefanía Ibarra, Brazil, Maiara Porto, Colombia, María José Chacón, India, Mehakk Dhingraa, Netherlands, Jaelin Ramadhin, USA, Kaylyn Slevin and Vietnam, Quynh Mai Ngo made the Top 12. Completing the Top 20 were Australia, Nasia Delis, Cambodia, Sreyneat Det, China, Jiaqi Li, Costa Rica, Tamara Castro, Malaysia, Jessrina Kaur, Moldova, Gutiera Timotin, Philippines, Cyrille Payumo, and Puerto Rico, Nicole Hern...
Read more

Miss Belgium 2026 is Olga Lombardo from Leuven

Image
Olga Lombardo bested over 30 other contestants to win Miss Belgium 2026 on Saturday, February 21 at Plopsaland Belgium in De Panne. The 22-year-old pharmacy student and model of Italian and Gabonese descent succeeds last year's winner Karen Jansen. Justine Tack from Ousselghem and Aicha Verheye from Ostend were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Kelly Godefroid, Catherine Choquet, and Albertina Rodrigues were respectively awarded Miss Sympathy, Miss Social Media and Miss Model. The new Miss Belgium is now expected to represent Belgium at the next Miss Universe and/or Miss World competitions. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MISS BELGIUM ORGANISATION (@missbelgium_official) Photos: Miss Belgium / Instagram
Read more

France's Swann Lavigne wins Mister Supranational 2025

Image
Pastry chef and model Swann Lavigne from France was proclaimed Mister Supranational 2025 on Saturday, June 28 at the Strzelecki Park Amphitheater in Nowy Sącz, Poland. The 25-year-old bested 37 other contestants to win the international male pageant. He succeeds last year's winner Fezile Mkhize from South Africa. Zuemerik Veeris of Curacao, Mauricio Calvo of Mexico, Michael Mazi of Nigeria and Kenneth Vincent Cabungcal of the Philippines were named the first, second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The Top 10 were Tomas Haring of Czech Republic, Mustanir Afif of Indonesia, Anthony Delgado of Puerto Rico, Víctor Battista of Venezuela, and Nguyen Minh Khac of Vietnam Completing the Top 20 were contestants from Canada, Daniel Rodríguez, China, Haoyong Qin, Hong Kong, Wei Zihong, India, Shubham Sharma, Namibia, Mmoloki Samoka, Netherlands, Anthony Henricus, Poland, Adam Wyszyński, South Africa, Luca Pontiggia, Spain, Pablo Herrera, and Thailand, Piyapong Kammeesawang. The c...
Read more

Miss Universe 2026 host country and venue officially announced

Image
The Miss Universe Organization has officially confirmed that Puerto Rico will be the host country for the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. Puerto Rican politician Jenniffer González Colón also made an announcement in a conference held on Tuesday, September 23 in San Juan. The 75th Miss Universe edition will be held in November 2026 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, the largest indoor entertainment and sports arena in Puerto Rico. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark was present at the conference alongside former winners from Puerto Rico — Deborah Carthy-Deu (1985), Dayanara Torres (1993), Denise Quiñones (2001), and Zuleyka Rivera (2006). Next year's competition will be the fourth Miss Universe edition to take place in Puerto Rico after 1972 (Dorado), 2001 (Bayamón), and 2002 (San Juan). Contestants from 135 countries and territories around the world are expected to compete for the crown. Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and unincorporated U....
Read more