https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/miss-ukraine-commended-for-badass-appearance-at-miss-universe-pageant/ar-AA15Lppr
Miss Ukraine commended for ‘badass’ appearance at Miss Universe pageant
Miss Ukraine’s outfit for the Miss Universe pageant’s national costume competition was a “Warrior of Light” ensemble commended worldwide for its symbolism.
Viktoria Apanasenko, representing the war-torn country at the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans on 14 January, revealed a stunning multilayered motif with ornate, oversize blue and yellow wings. The outfit was complete with a weapon [sword] and body armour.
An Instagram post on Miss Ukraine’s page said: “The ‘Warrior of Light’ costume symbolises our nation’s fight against darkness. Like Archangel Michael, who defends Ukraine with a sword, it protects us.”
It continued: “Viktoriia has a weapon in her hands, her body is covered in armour, and at the same time, she carries light through the darkness that came to our peaceful lands with the aggressor. The monolithic jumpsuit symbolises armour and wraps Victoria like a second skin.”
The costume by Lesia Patoka and her label Nagolovy which she co-founded was designed in Ukraine in four months in extreme conditions, to the sound of sirens, without electricity, and by candlelight, the post added.
“The white dress consists of a stylisation of a vyshyvanka with puffy sleeves and a skirt that has more than 10 meters of fabric to it. The headwear is decorated with spikelets, which are traditional in Ukraine.”