Miss Universe Malaysia organisation today presented the national costume and the evening gown specially designed for their Miss Universe 2017 candidate - Samantha Katie James. Samantha looked stunning in the red evening gown embroidered with Swarovski crystals designed by Brian Khoo.
(Photo Credit: Miss Universe Malaysia Official FaceBook)
But what caught everyone's attention was the national costume! The national costume, designed also by Brian Khoo, is inspired by Nasi Lemak, a popular Malaysian dish, and is fully hand-made. It took a team of six working for almost a month to come out with the final costume. Wearing that costume Samantha seems literally draped in Nasi Lemak, with all the condiments! Just like a typical Nasi Lemak dish, the dress features recreations of steamed coconut milk rice with a dollop of sambal (spicy chilli paste), garnished with cucumber slices, a fried egg, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts and even banana leaves (used for serving the dish).
After the presentation, she posted on her FaceBook images of her wearing the costume and wrote "NASI LEMAK! My favourite food ever!!! Designed and beaded fully by hand in one month by Brian Khoo and his team of 6! So much love and passion put into such an extraordinary and I’m sure unforgettable national costume representing what we Malaysians love, OUR FOOD!"
"This for me is art, pure talent, and I am honoured to be the one who’s wearing it! I am ready and excited to wear it at Miss Universe stage in Las Vegas."
Whilst Samantha looked lovely wearing both the gown and the national costume, it evoked mixed responses from fans and media - some calling it 'unique and innovative' and some calling it 'weird'.
What do you think?