Ukraine wins best national costume at 71st Miss Universe


Miss Universe Ukraine Viktoria Apanasenko was announced the winner of the 71st Miss Universe national costume which was determined by public votes.

The Miss Universe Organization made the official announcement of the winning costume on Wednesday, March 15 via the Miss Universe official app.

Viktoria paraded her "Warrior of Light" costume during the 71st Miss Universe national costume presentation last January in New Orleans, Louisiana.

It consists of an archangel sword, a monolithic jumpsuit that serves like an armor covering her body, a vyshyvanka-styled dress, a headpiece, and angel wings.

The beautiful masterpiece designed by Ukrainian costume designer Lesia Patoka took several months to complete under extreme conditions due to the armed conflicts in Ukraine.

According to Viktoria, it is a symbol of her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting her country. Importantly, it represents the strength, courage, and determination of her people.

In case you missed it, here is the full look of the winning costume:

Photos: Miss Universe Ukraine

Popular posts from this blog

French model Adonis Renaud wins Manhunt International 2025

Image
Adonis Renaud, representing France, was proclaimed Manhunt International 2025 on Tuesday, June 10 at the CDC Ballroom in Bangkok, Thailand. The 22-year-old model from Marseille beat over 30 other contestants to win the international title. He became the second French winner next to Fabrice Bertrand Wattez who won in 2002. Piyumal Sithum Pattuwearachchi of Sri Lanka was named first runner-up while Rhyeme Wright of Jamaica, Jordan San Juan of the Philippines, and Vu Linh Nguyen of Vietnam were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. This year's event marked the 23rd edition of the annual male supermodel competition. The new Manhunt International succeeds last year's winner Kevin Dasom from Thailand. Aside from prize money, the winner also receives a one week trip to Los Angeles, modeling contract, acting workshop, international photoshoot, skincare package, casting and audition opportunities. Meet the 23rd Manhunt International: View this post o...
Read more

Thailand's Opal Suchata Chuangsri crowned Miss World 2025

Image
Opal Suchata Chuangsri from Thailand beat 107 other contestants to be crowned Miss World 2025 on Saturday, May 31 at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The 22-year-old beauty has made history for her country as she became the first-ever Thai woman to win the prestigious title. She also won the multimedia fast track challenge. Hasset Dereje Admassu from Ethiopia, Maja Klajda from Poland, and Aurélie Joachim from Martinique were announced the first, second, and third, runners-up, respectively. Completing the Top 8 finalists were Jéssica Pedroso from Brazil, Selma Kamanya from Namibia, Krishnah Gravidez from the Philippines and Maria Melnychenko from Ukraine. The beauties from Ethiopia, Brazil, the Philippines, Martinique, Poland, and Australia were respectively named Miss World Africa, Miss World Americas, Miss World Asia, Miss World Caribbean, Miss World Europe, and Miss World Oceania. This year's competition marked the 72nd edition of th...
Read more

Spain's Juul Messiaen crowned Man of the World 2025

Image
Man of the World 2025, the 7th edition of the annual Man of the World competition was held on Saturday, May 31 at the SM North Edsa Skydome in Quezon City, Philippines. Juul Messiaen, a 23-year-old model, athlete and real estate agent from Málaga, Spain bested over 20 other contestants to win the international male pageant. Israel Sierra of Mexico was named first runner-up while Sittichok Panitloedtewa of Thailand, Honza Jiránek of the Czech Republic, and Sworman Delgado of Panama were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Man of the World was crowned by his predecessor Sergio Azuaga of Venezuela. He became the first Spanish representative to take home the title. "My first walk as Man of the World 2025 — a moment of pride, purpose, and promise. This is more than a title — it’s a mission," Juul shared online. "Let's lead with heart, live with honor, and uplift the world together," he added. View this post on Instagram ...
Read more

Thailand's first Miss World Opal Suchata Chuangsri returns home

Image
Thailand's Opal Suchata Chuangsri has returned home two weeks after winning her country's first-ever Miss World crown in Telangana, Hyderabad, India. Gracefully draped in an exclusive custom-made one-shoulder evening gown by Sirivannavari, the Thai beauty queen touched down Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on Saturday, June 14. The masterpiece she was wearing perfectly embodies Sirivannavari brand's design philosophy, empowering women through elegance, confidence, and timeless sophistication. Accompanied by Miss World CEO Julia Morley and delegation, the new Miss World was warmly welcomed at the international airport by her supporters, fans and members of the media. Opal Suchata made history when she was proclaimed Miss World 2025 among 108 contestants during the 72nd Miss World final competition on May 31 at Hyderabad's HITEX Exhibition Centre. She will have a homecoming parade around Bangkok on a float inspired by an elephant, the national symbol of Thailand, a large ...
Read more

Miss Universe Ukraine 2025 is Sofiya Tkachuk from Rivne

Image
Sofiya Tkachuk, 25, from Rivne, has recently been crowned Miss Universe Ukraine 2025 and will represent Ukraine at the 74th Miss Universe pageant. Anastasiia Hrytsak was named first runner-up while Karina Zakharash, Anna Fedorenko, and Alice-Maria Oleksyuk were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. In view of the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine, the Miss Universe Ukraine organizing committee has once again decided not to hold a national pageant. The finalists were selected through online voting. The new Miss Universe Ukraine succeeds last year's titleholder Alina Ponomarenko and will head to Thailand this November to compete in Miss Universe 2025. "When I was four years old, my family moved abroad. I grew up among different languages and cultures, but I always felt: my roots are in Ukraine, and my soul is Ukrainian," she said. Sofiya holds a degree in finance from EAE Business School in Barcelona and is fluent in English and Spanish. Her life and ...
Read more

Miss World Thailand 2025 is Opal Suchata Chuangsri

Image
Opal Suchata Chuangsri was officially proclaimed Miss World Thailand 2025 in a special press presentation held on Tuesday, April 22 in Bangkok. The 22-year-old political science major at Thammasat University will represent Thailand at Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad ( Telangana), India this May. No stranger to pageantry, Opal was previously crowned Miss Universe Thailand and went to Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico where she finished as the third runner-up. "I am deeply honored to be standing here as your new Miss World Thailand. Carrying not only the crown and the sash, i carry with me the hopes and the spirit of my people, my nation," she said during her speech. The new Miss World Thailand initiated the project "Opal for Her" to support underprivileged and unfortunate women suffering with breast cancer. Road to the 72nd Miss World: View this post on Instagram A post shared by TPN GLOBAL (@tpn.global) Photos: TPN GLOBAL / Instagram
Read more

Miss Universe Curacao 2025: Meet the contestants

Image
The five stunning contestants vying for the title of Miss Universe Curacao 2025 have been officially revealed. Their bio and official photos have been posted on the pageant's social media page. One of them will succeed last year's winner Kimberly de Boer and will represent the Dutch Caribbean island at the Miss Universe 2025 competition in Thailand this November. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig from Denmark has been announced to visit the island this June to crown the next Miss Universe Curacao. Who will head to the 74th Miss Universe? Meet the contestants: Sashelle Antasia Johnson  — a 19-year-old law student whose strength and determination defy her young age. Born in Jamaica and raised in Curacao, Sashelle turned early experiences of loss, bullying, and anxiety into a powerful journey of perseverance and advocacy. With her passion for justice and her dream to inspire others, she is ready to stand tall on the Miss Universe Curacao stage and show the world that ...
Read more

Philippines' Miss World Asia Krishnah Gravidez returns home

Image
Miss World Philippines Krishnah Gravidez has returned home following her successful stint at the 72nd Miss World last month in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. Wearing a custom white dress by La Rosa Studio PH, the 24-year-old Filipina beauty was honored in a special homecoming parade on Saturday, June 7 at the SM Mall of Asia. "Mga mahal kong kababayan, taos-puso po akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong pagmamahal at suporta. Sa isang buwang ginugol ko sa India, hindi ako napanghinaan ng loob dahil alam kong kasama ko kayo sa bawat hakbang," she wrote in Filipino online. (My dear countrymen, I sincerely thank you for your love and support. In the month I spent in India, I wasn't discouraged because I knew you were with me every step of the way...) Krishna finished her Miss World 2025 journey with a Top 8 placement among 108 contestants and was awarded the continental title of Miss World Asia. The crown went to Thailand's Opal Suchata Chuangsri. "Today, we honor the triump...
Read more

Miss Universe China 2024 is Xue Hou from Beijing

Image
Xue Hou was crowned Miss Universe China 2024 during the national competition on Sunday, July 28 in Sanya Bay, Sanya City, Hainan Province. The 22-year-old model from Beijing will represent China at Miss Universe 2025 (74th Miss Universe) whose date and venue have yet to be announced. "We are sure Xuhe will carry the Chinese flag with pride and she will bloom towards the universe to show her true self," the organizers posted on social media. China will be represented at this year's Miss Universe pageant in Mexico this November with her predecessor, last year's winner Jia Qi from Chengdu. Meet the new Miss Universe China: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe China • 环球小姐中国粉絲 (@missuniversechinapageantorg) Photos: Miss Universe China / Instagram
Read more

SPOTLIGHT: Meet Hanna Kim, Miss Universe Korea 2022

Image
Korea will be represented at the 71st Miss Universe pageant by Hanna Kim. The 27-year-old model currently based in New York City was appointed as Miss Universe Korea 2022 last April. She was the first runner-up during last year's national competition. Apart from modeling, Hanna is a linguist and interpreter, who specialized in clinical trials. She is also a skilled classical ballet dancer. "Words cannot describe how honored I am to be representing Korea at the 71st edition of Miss Universe," she shared on social media. "As Miss Universe is the representation of empowerment and confidence, I wish I will also become a member of this community that empowers the women around the globe," she added. The 71st Miss Universe pageant is expected to be held in the first quarter of 2023. Photos: Save Hannah Studio , Hanna Kim / Instagram
Read more