The National Costume competition was held as scheduled on Monday evening August 10 at the Rainforest Theatre on Cable Beach. As I expected, the event showcased costumes of various colors and shapes as candidates graced the stage with attires symbolizing their respective countries. Aside from the usual traditional forms, it was so interesting to note the creative ways and twists some countries gave to their "national costumes".
While the decision lies in the hands ot the official judges to select the best in national costume, here are my top personal choices that actually captivated my attention:
Miss Spain Universe 2009, Estibaliz Pereira in a flamenco costume.
Typical characteristics of the flamenco dress are the guitar-shape silhouette with a low neck that enhances a woman's figure and the long frilly train that gracefully sway to movement of the wearer. Accessories, such as shawl, scarf, fan and flowers are added to complete the sensous style.
Flamenco has never been more popular in Spain and abroad than it is today with a new generation of new flamenco performers in the post-Franco era who have broadened flamenco's appeal to an international audience. That's why it has remained the most popular costume of choice of our senoritas for years.
The inspiration for Miss Thailand Universe national costume may have been borrowed from the Padaung tribeswomen of Myanmar (formerly Burma).
It's so interesting to note the striking similarity of the concentric neck rings she'll be wearing as part of her costume in the 2009 Miss Universe to be held in Nassau, Bahamas to that of the Padaung women's brass neck coils.
The peculiar tradition of neck elongation is still practiced by the womenfolk of this tribe living in the highlands ot Northern Myanmar.Early European explorers called them "The Giraffe Women"..
The exact origins of this custom are shrouded in mystery. Some anthropologists feel that the rings were added to protect a woman from tiger attacks, which were quite common in that area. While, others feel that they were added to enhance a woman's beauty, adding grace to her form. The rings add about 22kgs to a women's weight. The rings are meticulously cleaned every now and then with tamarind juice to make them shiny. Though the women appear to have a long neck, the real fact is that their shoulder bones have been pushed back. Thereby, giving an appearance of a long neck. The Padaung themselves, consider these rings as a sign of beauty. The rings are reflective of a woman's social status. The rings are first added when a girl is five years of age. Successive rings would be added every two years. The rings are intended to be worn throughout the life of the padaung women. Removal of these rings later in life would cause death as the neck muscles would be unable to support the weight of the head. This would cause suffocation.
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Brass coil rings extending from the neck to the shoulders gave Miss Thailand a stylized representation of the Padaung's tribal tradition of bodily adornment. Similar form of accessories are repeated on arms, legs and hair echoing
Avant Garde Terracotta Warrior costume is symbolic of China's entry into the global economic powers of the new millenium. Ancient but modern in style.
A sports costume in a traditional way. 
Miss Spain Universe 2009, Estibaliz Pereira in a flamenco costume.
Claudia Moro, Miss Spain Universe 2008
Adriana Reveron, Miss Spain Earth 2008
Maria Jesus Ruiz, Miss Spain Universe 2004
Pilar Dominguez, Miss Seville 2004
The inspiration for Miss Thailand Universe national costume may have been borrowed from the Padaung tribeswomen of Myanmar (formerly Burma).
The peculiar tradition of neck elongation is still practiced by the womenfolk of this tribe living in the highlands ot Northern Myanmar.Early European explorers called them "The Giraffe Women"..
