Puerto Rico's Karla Guilfú Acevedo reveals national costume for Miss Universe 2023
Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2023 Karla Guilfú Acevedo has revealed the national costume "Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian" which she will showcase in the upcoming Miss Universe 2023 pageant in El Salvador.
Designed by Joshuan Aponte in collaboration with Fabián De la Fuente for the accessories, the national costume is a tribute to the architecture of Old San Juan and the San Sebastian Street Festivals.
The skirt was crafted from velvet and black sequins in an elegant trumpet cut and is adorned with hundreds of handcrafted cobblestones, each painted to replicate Old San Juan's iconic blue cobblestones.
Above the corset, which emulates the architecture of the Fortress, a shell-type backrest adorned with more than a dozen emblematic places of Old San Juan unfolds, from the fountain of Paseo de la Princesa to the chapel of Santo Cristo, all in impressive 3D details, some illuminated with LED lights.
On the back of the costume, a hand-painted painting offers a panoramic view of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the Cabezudos, Caminantes, Pleneros, and folkloric dancers dancing above the festive crowd, with the Monoestrellada flag flying high above.
The entire costume is meticulously embroidered in crystals of various colors, adding a touch of sparkle and charm to this masterpiece.
A special detail on the costume features the island's iconic personalities and the five Puerto Rican Miss Universe winners Marisol Malaret, Deborah Carthy, Dayanara Torres, Denise Quiñones, and Zuleyka Rivera.
The earrings simulate the streetlights of the residences and streets of Old San Juan, while its bracelets represent the structures of the residential balconies. A maga flower adorns the hair.
Karla's national costume and its attention to detail and passionate homage to the San Sebastián Street Festivals that united Puerto Ricans for generations is sure to capture the hearts of everyone on the Miss Universe stage.
Photos: Jalimar Febo / MUPR
