National Costume Rounds are the favourite rounds for all the pageant lovers and followers, as it gives us an opportunity to witness the varied culture and traditions of other countries. But what if, the National Costume is not about traditions, but more about garnering controversy? A similar thing is coming up in the National Costume of Britanny Ann Payne, Miss Earth USA 2015.

Britanny’s national costume is not just a costume with a Flag’s design on it, nor it is a stylized version or an image of American Flag. In fact, she will actually be wearing the US National Flag as her National Costume. Trying a hint of National flags, on the costume has been done previously, but Britanny’s draping a flag as her National Costume, might actually run her into some serious legal trouble.

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It is also clearly stated in the US Law that the Flag cannot be used as any wearing apparel or any costume whatsoever. The law under the ‘Respect for flag’ states that “the [American] flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.”It further states, “no part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.”

According to sources, Britanny’s costume will have the flag as a bodice, where the stars of the flag will be in the lower part of the body. And this is clearly a neglect of the law which states, “the flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.”

The designer of the costume, Joey Galon of Atelier,too to his Facebook account to apologize if his designs were found to be offensive, and this is what he had to say...

“My apologies to anyone if I’ve offended them with my costume design for Miss Earth USA. I’ve had a couple of comments stating the “flag” shouldn’t be worn this way nor drug on the floor of which I respect whole heartedly.

Certainly it was not my intention to disrespect my country nor our flag. These were originally patriotic ladies scarves I found after the 4th of July holiday, about 8 of them, then had the vision to not waste them yet create a gown out of them. The inspiration is “Lady Liberty” and was hoping my gown and the way I styled Miss Earth USA was such that she would best represent our amazing country when she competes against over 92 global countries at this year’s Miss Earth pageant taking place now in Vienna, Austria.

Thank you everyone for all of your kind comments. I am passionate at what I do and am very conscious of my design process and the last thing I would want to do is hurt and/or disrespect anyone or even more…our country. Again, my apologies.”

Also Read : Miss Earth 2014 contestants Filming in National Costume

What do you think? Do you think that the use of a Flag to create such a National Costume is disrespecting towards the country? Let us know in the comment section below...