Miss Malaysia-Universe will flaunt a Peranakan-themed national costume

By TIN Media | Current News Published 4 years ago on 18 November 2019
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MALAYSIA:

Shweta Sekhon, Miss Malaysia-Universe 2019 will flaunt a Peranakan-themed national costume at the upcoming 68th Miss Universe competition. The evening gown competition will be held in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States

Carven Ong, a 51-year-old Malaysian designer created the custom-made national costume. Ong said the costume, weighing 28kg, was inspired by Malaysia’s multi-cultural character and diversity. The national costume is a combination of elements of the Malay, Chinese and Peranakan culture, altogether.

While unveiling the costume and evening gown he said "There were many challenges in designing and creating such a delicate and complex national costume, which is something that we are truly proud of. It took me three months to complete the costume.

"It is my first time designing a national costume for the Miss Universe competition as I have always designed evening gowns.

"For the props attached to the costume, I put an assortment of local kuih-muih of both Malay and Peranakan origins such as onde-onde, kuih koci, Ang Ku kuih, kuih talam, kuih lapis, kuih sago and red eggs and bakul siah.

"It fills me with pride to be given the opportunity to create something unique to symbolize the beauty of my country and introduce our multi-cultural heritage to the world,".

The main body of the dress is made of songket which is basically a luxurious brocade commonly used in Malay wedding attires and embroidered with elaborate beadwork while the wings feature Nyonya Batik, and a long strip of cloth wrapped around the body like a skirt. A golden cape made of songket with gold thread and red beading add a touch of ceremonial grandeur to the costume, which was inspired by the traditional wedding costume worn by Peranakan brides, symbolizing the union of Yin and Yang.

Meanwhile, gold aster flowers were chosen to represent love, daintiness, and femininity for the headgear.

Shweta, 22, said despite the national costume’s weight, she will flaunt both the national costume and evening dress with pride. She hopes to win the competition with a unique costume.

 


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