South Africa's Bryoni Govender to wear sari-inspired national costume for Miss Universe 2023


Miss Universe South Africa 2023 Bryoni Natalie Govender will be wearing a sari-inspired national costume at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant.

A sari (saree) is an elegant and traditional dress worn by women from the Indian subcontinent (South Asia).

Designed by multi-award-winning designer Casey Jeanne Walters, Bryoni's national costume is a tribute to her African-Indian heritage.

The beautiful costume representing South Africa's rich culture and its diversity is decorated with traditional Zulu beads in a pattern inspired by a Ndebele print.

"When Werner Wessels asked me to design the national costume for Miss South Africa for the Miss Universe pageant, I was initially a bit like, huh, what, me!?," the designer shared on social media.

"But then the concepts of mixed South African and Indian heritage came together and I just had to create something truly special," she added.

"I'm so proud of this piece and how it pushed us. I just love the colors and all the custom beading we created. It's so different to what we normally do and yet it's totally up my alley."

Bryoni will present her national costume at the Miss Universe 2023 competition this coming November in El Salvador.

Photos: Willem Botha / Miss South Africa

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

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 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 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

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

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

Miss Global 2025 is Nguyen Dinh Nhu Van of Vietnam

Image
Nguyen Dinh Nhu Van from Vietnam was crowned Miss Global 2025 on Sunday, March 9 at the MCC Hall, The Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The 33-year-old model hailing from Lam Dong province bested over 60 other contestants to become the first Vietnamese representative to win the international beauty title. Keri-Ann Greenwood of Jamaica was named first runner-up while Ediris Rivera of Puerto Rico, Lindsay Lauren Becker of the USA, and Xena Ramos of the Philippines were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The rest of the Top 10 finalists were from Belarus, Darya Hancharevich, Ecuador, Juliana Robles, Indonesia, Baby Kristami, Switzerland, Jordena Lajci, and Venezuela, Andrea Del Val. Jana Marvanova of the Czech Republic and Kiko Uchizone of Japan were announced as additional finalists for winning the Miss Global People's Choice and Miss Global Sisterhood awards, respectively. Completing the Top 20 semifinalists were the contestants from Bolivia, C...
Read more

Miss Washington USA 2023 is Samantha Gallia of King County

Image
Miss King County, Samantha Gallia was crowned Miss Washington USA 2023 in the state competition held on Sunday, November 13 at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center. The 24-year-old breast cancer support advocate is a graduate of a doctorate degree in dentistry from the University of the Pacific and is currently an oral and maxillofacial radiology resident at the University of Washington. She succeeded last year's winner Mazzy Eckel and will now represent Washington at Miss USA 2023 in Reno, Nevada. Green Lake's Taylor Mann and Stanwood's Stephanie Yerigan were respectively announced as the first and second runners-up while Mukilteo's Jesi Williams and West Bellevue's Starla Sampaco rounded out the Top 5 finalists. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha Gallia, DDS (@drsamanthagallia) "I have about a million thank yous to make, but for now- thank you to every person who has ever believed in me and poured into me. I am so gra...
Read more