Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters on Thursday revealed two of the outfits by The Costume Department that she will be wearing at the 66th Miss Universe pageant.
“We were approached by the Miss South Africa Organisation’s pageant coach and stylist Werner Wessels to create the Miss South Africa national costume. We then took his idea a step further and created our version of the South African national flower, the protea,” said owners and creative team of The Costume Department, Malikah Hajee and Lloyd Kandlin.
“We looked at the elements of the flower and colours and recreated it in a costume form.”
Nel-Peters said: “My preparations started when I was crowned Miss South Africa 2017. Just as with the Miss South Africa platform, I understand the responsibility of being Miss Universe and the impact it has on millions of lives”.
The South African beauty also showed off her official national gift, a stunning piece of jewellery made from gold and diamonds, called “The Daisies of Africa”.
Nel-Peters’ other gown was designed by Anel Botha, who said it was inspired by what the Miss Universe Pageant was synonymous with – sophistication and glamour in a celebration of young women who are confidently beautiful. Botha has designed a number of other garments for the pageant.
Pictures supplied by Nine Squared Communication.
“Demi-Lee’s Miss Universe gown reflects her beauty in a million ways and it also shows off her strength and her beautiful physique. It is a gown that will be remembered,” explained Botha.
Nel-Peters will be taking a piece of South African jewellery, designed by Miss South Africa sponsors, Jack Friedman Jewellers with input from her, as the national gift to Miss Universe.
The pageant will be hosted at The Axis in Las Vegas, US, on 26 November.
– African News Agency (ANA)
