Team Asia At Miss Universe 2018: The Bold, The Beautiful, And The Bizarre
Which was your favourite outfit of the night?
The Miss Universe National Costume Competition 2018 just wrapped up, and as in beauty pageants past, we saw a good mix of big, bejewelled, befeathered costumes, and on the other end of the spectrum, the downright weird.
Team Asia didn't disappoint, offering a good mix of these two genres of National Costumes. Go big or go home, right?
Here's a rundown of the Asian candidates at the Miss Universe 2018 pageant and their national costumes. Who are you rooting for?
The Bold
China
China's costume was inspired by the quick-change masks in traditional Chinese theatre. Meisu Qin donned two masks before revealing her beautiful smile.
Kazakhstan
Full of symbolism, Miss Universe Kazakhstan's costume represents the wealth of the country (gold), unity (blue), with the huuuuuge wings representing freedom.
India
You can't get any more badass than dressing up as a warrior princess and lugging around a 106-pound throne to boot. Miss Universe India Nehal Chudasama did just that.
Mongolia
To those unfamiliar with Mongolian traditional costumes, this might look like something straight out of a sci-fi film. But this costume was actually inspired by Genghis Khan's queen. Work.
Malaysia
Looking totally fierce, Miss Universe Malaysia Jane Teoh's costume was inspired by an ancient fishing civilisation known for its warrior spirit.
Laos
Miss Universe Laos Onanong Homsombath's costume was inspired by a half-human, half-bird mythical creature.
The Beautiful
Korea
Miss Universe Korea Baek Ji Hyun wowed in a traditional hanbok, which boasted ornamental lace and handpainted textiles.
Philippines
Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray struggled with her cumbersome costume, but she managed to pull it off with grace. This is supposedly the first Philippine national costume that represents the entire archipelago.
Thailand
The elephant is an iconic emblem of the kingdom of Siam, so it's only right that Miss Universe Thailand Ning Sophida would wear an ensemble fit for a queen.
Nepal
Miss Universe Nepal Manita Devkota portrayed a goddess who's known to relieve suffering. And she looked positively ethereal while doing so.
Kyrgyzstan
Miss Universe Kyrgyzstan Begimay Karybekova's costume was totally handmade from wool and satin, and takes its inspiration from traditional folk art.
Cambodia
Miss Universe Cambodia Rern Sinat's costume took over 60 days to complete! Inspired by the Kingdom of Wonder, she dressed in a traditional Cambodian costume, complete with a backdrop showing the famous Angkor Wat.
Indonesia
Another fan favourite, Miss Universe Indonesia Sonia Fergina Citra's costume is an intepretation of the exotic bird of paradise. She looks divine.
Sri Lanka
Miss Universe Sri Lanka Ornella Gunesekere wore a traditional Sri Lankan costume with embellishments representing women empowerment and a celebratory parade.
The Bizarre
Myanmar
Myanmar's costume was inspired by an endemic tree used as a beauty product ingredient, which is cool and all, but poor Miss Universe Myanmar Hnin Thway Yu Aung looks like she's ready for a grade school presentation, not a beauty pageant. At least she looks adorable!
Singapore
Make no mistake, Zahra Khanum looked absolutely radiant last night. When her skirt was folded up, she looked like a vision. But then she unfolded it and revealed... that. There must've been a more artistic way to execute this concept, just sayin'.
Vietnam
We gotta give it to H'Hen Niê — she is killing it in that sandwich getup like no-one else can. That's how you pull off a ridiculous costume: you just own it. Now, who else is feeling peckish for a banh mi?
Japan
Ever since the first sneak peeks of the Miss Universe 2018 national costumes came out, one consistent fan favourite was Miss Japan's costume. And can you blame the public? It's Sailor Moon! You can't go wrong with a nostalgia-inducing cartoon character.
Want to see all the costumes at the Miss Universe 2018 National Costume contest? Read this: ALL 91 Of The Jaw-Dropping, Bizarre, And Over-The-Top Outfits At The Miss Universe 2018 National Costume Contest