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Miss Brazil at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 27 wildest national costumes from the 2019 Miss Universe pageant, Business Insider - Business Insider Singapore

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Sylvie Silva, Miss Portugal, wore a red and green swimsuit with a cape and headdress in the same colors.

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Miss Portugal at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

At just 20 years old, Silva is launching her career in landscape architecture, as well as working to fight climate change through the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.


Zozibini Tunzi, the 2019 Miss Universe, sported a multi-colored three-dimensional accessory made of love letters to the women of South Africa.

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Miss South Africa at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 26-year-old winner hopes to use her platform to fight sexism and gender-based violence. Tunzi also advocates for natural beauty, according to the Miss Universe website.


Fiona Tenuta Vanerio of Uruguay sparkled in a bejeweled bodice and a gold back piece that looked like the sun.

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Miss Uruguay at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 21-year-old is passionate about rehabilitating wildlife, rock and roll music, and learning new languages.


Hoàng Thùy of Vietnam honored her country with a large hat and oversized spoon, which she paired with a sparkly ombre jumpsuit.

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Miss Vietnam at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss UniversePatrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 27-year-old founded Women Empowerment (WE), a nonprofit. She’s also a model and has walked on runways around the world.


Shweta Sekhon, Miss Malaysia, sported a multi-colored floral ensemble that featured a dessert table.

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Miss Malaysia at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 22-year-old model and hockey player works with charitable organizations to end poverty.

Viewers thought Sekhon won the costume competition because of an interview she did with host Steve Harvey during the show, but Miss Philippines actually had the best costume of the competition.


Shanel Ifill from Barbados wore a rainbow back piece that looked like feathers, which she paired with a multi-colored bodysuit and gold headpiece.

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Miss Barbados at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 20-year-old is a law student at the University of the West Indies, and she hopes to become a human rights attorney. She also works with a charity that helps children with scoliosis, as she received treatment for the condition as a child.


Gazini Ganados, Miss Philippines, won the costume competition in this silver dress, which featured matching bird accessories.

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Miss Philippines at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 23-year-old works with organizations to help create eco-friendly buildings.


Ketlin Lottermann, Miss Paraguay, sported a multi-colored dress with a rainbow back piece, elaborate crown, and cheetah-print gloves.

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Miss Paraguay at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 26-year-old is an orthopedic physiotherapist.


Alyssa Boston, Miss Canada, wore a medical marijuana-inspired outfit that featured a large, leaf-shaped back piece, as well as a green staff.

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Miss Canada at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 24-year-old works on the marketing team for an auto-part company. Boston also advocates for mental health through her work with the Canadian Mental Health Association, as well as a social-media campaign she launched called #TalkAboutME.


Shubila Stanton, Miss Tanzania, wore a cross between a gown and armor for the costume portion of the competition.

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Miss Tanzania at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 23-year-old is dedicated to combating climate change.


Geraldine Gonzalez, Miss Chile, wore an all-red ensemble, complete with a floral headpiece, bejeweled arm accessory, and a cherry.

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Miss Chile at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 20-year-old is both a lawyer and a volunteer firefighter. She works with the Santa Clara HIV Foundation, and she founded Head of Household, another charitable organization.


Bria Smith, Miss British Virgin Islands 2019, looked like a moving plant in a sparkly gown paired with a train made of flowers.

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Miss British Virgin Islands at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Alex Mertz/Miss Universe

The 26-year-old is a speech communications adjunct lecturer for H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in her home country, and she also advocates for the cultural and historical preservation of the British Virgin Islands.


Somnang Alyna, Miss Cambodia, wore an outfit inspired by Princess Indra Devi, which featured a back piece made of floating people.

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Miss Cambodia at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

At just 18 years old, Alyna has donated school supplies to over 15,000 students at more than 50 different schools through her work with the charitable organization, NagaWorld Kind Hearts.


Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA, channeled Sandra Bullock in an ensemble modeled after the Statue of Liberty, complete with gold-tipped wings and a torch.

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Miss USA at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Miss Universe

The 28-year-old is a lawyer by trade, but she also works with the Dress for Success organization and runs a blog named White Collar Glam.


Julia Horta of Brazil paid tribute to her country’s passion for athletics through a sparkly soccer uniform, which she paired with an elaborate back piece.

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Miss Brazil at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 25-year-old, who has a degree in journalism, is an ambassador for Smile Train and Plano de Menina.


Barbora Hodačová of the Czech Republic wore a blue bodice and red train with three-dimensional gold-leaf embellishments on her back.

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Miss Czech Republic at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Alex Mertz/Miss Universe

The 24-year-old is studying law at Charles University in Prague, and she works with Drops of Hope, a foundation that supports children with cancer.


Zuleika Soler, Miss El Salvador, wore a mermaid-style dress embroidered with a beach landscape, as well as an arc-shaped back piece in rainbow colors.

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Miss El Salvador at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 25-year-old studied communications and art in college. Today, she works with an organization that helps impoverished children improve their creative thinking skills.


Lora Asenova, Miss Bulgaria, wore a baby-pink ensemble that featured a floral bodice and headpiece.

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Miss Bulgaria at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Alex Mertz/Miss Universe

The 25-year-old holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in e-business from Bulgaria’s Sofia University. Asenova also volunteers with animal shelters.


Anastasiia Subbota of Ukraine wore an all-green outfit, complete with a round back accessory and bird headpiece.

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Miss Ukraine at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 26-year-old is a model and activist. She works with organizations that advocate for children, veterans, and those coping with mental health issues.


Priya Serrao of Australia wore an ombre gown that looked like it was made of scales.

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Miss Australia at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Alex Mertz/Miss Universe

Serrao, 27, is a policy adviser for the Melbourne government and works with multiple organizations, including the United Nations Development Program in East Timor.

She is also the first Indian-Australian to be named Miss Australia.


From Panama, Mehr Eliezer’s ensemble looked like armor, complete with spikes protruding from the bottom of her bodice and back.

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Miss Panama at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 22-year-old advocates for LGBTQ youth and those living with HIV and AIDS. She also volunteers on behalf of immigrants, refugees, and young professionals.


Mariana Jesica Varela of Argentina completed her bejeweled silver outfit with a crown and white wings.

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Miss Argentina at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 23-year-old uses her platform to end gender-based violence and bring awareness to equality worldwide.


Vartika Singh, Miss India, stunned in a red-and-gold outfit, complete with a large gold back piece.

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Miss India at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 26-year-old got her master’s degree in public health.


Tarea Sturrup from the Bahamas looked like a parrot in a floor-length gown and feathered cape.

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Miss Bahamas at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 24-year-old advocates for mental health awareness and small business owners. Sturrup also raised money to support Hurricane Dorian survivors.


Paola Chacón Fuentes, Miss Costa Rica, wore a mosaic-patterned dress that flowed into a bright, circular back piece.

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Miss Costa Rica at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

Fuentes, 28, is getting her degree in business administration. She also works with an organization that helps the homeless and those living in poverty.


Vichitta Phonevilay, Miss Laos, walked the runway inside of an ornate elephant puppet.

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Miss Laos at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 23-year-old advocates for education in rural areas.


Shirin Akter Shela, Miss Bangladesh, wore a red gown with a green back piece that went over her head.

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Miss Bangladesh at the 2019 Miss Universe pageant.Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

The 20-year-old is the very first Miss Bangladesh. She studies physics at the University of Dhaka, volunteers with the elderly, and plants trees to help the environment.