"If Ukraine were a woman, it would look like this." Alina Ponomarenko showed the national costume for Miss Universe 2024. Photo

Miss Ukraine Universe 2024 Alina Ponomarenko showed a national costume called "The Power of the Earth." This year's outfit will symbolize the Ukrainian land covered with strong armor that protects the country.

"This armor is created from the unbreakable strength and courage of Ukrainian defenders, the resilience of their families who are waiting for their sons, daughters, husbands, and fathers to come back from the war," the official Instagram page of the contest says. "If Ukraine were a woman, it would look like this: alive, tender, and blooming, and at the same time strong as steel.

The costume was based on materials used to make protective armor and armor, as well as metallized silver artificial leather. The jumpsuit consisted of a printed biflex in the author's floral print, which was embroidered with silk mini-flower petals, beads, sequins, and rhinestones. The skirt was based on silk organza.

"The poppy flower on the chest is a symbol of the cost of defending our country. In literature and songs, the poppy flower symbolized the blood of a Cossack who died heroically defending Ukraine," explain the creators of the costume, MÜ Production UA, known for their creations for Olia Poliakova and last year's Miss Universe Ukraine Angelina Usanova.

Ponomarenko's hair is "woven" with steel flowers that have become symbols of mines. "The war in Ukraine will leave behind many such 'flowers'. Already today, official statistics claim that Ukraine ranks among the highest in the world in terms of civilian casualties from landmines and unexploded ordnance," the statement reads.

The costume weighs 5 kilograms and took the craftsmen more than two weeks to create. The national costume contest will take place in Mexico City, Mexico, on November 14 at 04:00 am Kyiv time.

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