advice/
national costume
3. Get drawing
You don't have to be picasso to get your ideas down on paper, so pick up your pencil and start sketching out your ideas. Do a mood board: start looking through maagazines, catalogues and online to see what inspires you. Check out the latest trends on Pinterest in Instagram. Look at what is in fashion right now and combine it woth your chosen theme. Stick lots of ideas together and sketch out what you can. Look for fabrics that move the way you want them to, trim that will stand out but not weight down your costume, and detailing that gives the effect you need. Jot down links to websites and materials that you like and take them to a designer...
4. Find a designer/seamstress who knows what you want.
When you have your final design sorted, take all of your sketches, materil samples and ideas to a good designer/seamstress. A good seamstress will be able to see what you want from your sketches and will be able to give you a good idea of time and cost, to make your national costume. Chose your designer/seamstress carefully as you will probalby be spending lots of time together discussing seams, how material falls and what may seem like endless fittings, before you fly out to your international.
Winning a national contest and progressing to an international, or being selected at large to compete in an international pageant is a big achievement! Representing your country is a huge honour and there is nothing mroe patriotic than being on the world stage waving your country's flag..or wearing a national costume. Here at UK Beauties we have come up with some great ideas and inspiration for you to make/buy your next national costume. Here are a few ideas from the lucky ladies who have competed nternationally in recent years:
1. Consider your body type and the competition
Depending on which international pageant you are attending, the design of your national costume will need to be adjusted accordingly. "Miss" compeitions are more llikely to appreciate cut outs or costumes showing a little flesh, however if you are competing in a Mrs, Ms or Classic international, then we would recommend staying away from high boots, revealing cotumes and cut outs. You can still look amazing and classy!
2. Think outside the box!
Designing a national costume need not be confined to traditional wear or your country's national dress. by chosing something idfferent and thinking outside the box, you will impress the judges and the audience. In most cases, the national costume round is not judged, but you want to put on a good show and feel your best when flying the flag for your country, so chose well. Take some time to think about what is important to you about your country. Do you love the environment and landscapes? The cities and culture? Who is your favourite artist or performer, could you represent your country through them?
Tara Vaitiere Hoyos competing
in Miss Universe 2010 as
Miss Great Britain
Grace Levy competing
in Miss Universe 2015 as
Miss Great Britain
Rachel Tate competing
in Miss Grand International 2017 as
Miss Wales
Jolieanna Davis competing
in Mrs Globe 2017 as
Mrs England
5. Walk it out
When your seamstress has finished making your national costume, try it on and walk across a large room. Material moves very differently when you walk a large distance, which you will probably be doing on stage at your international. Standing in your (or your seamstress's) lounge will not let you see the costume in all it's glory, or most importantly, give you an accurate idea of how it will look and feel on stage. if possible, hire a small studio for an hour so you can practice walking in it to see if it looks.moves as you want it to.
6. Pack with care
Once you are happy with your final design and it all fits, you are good to start packing. If you have delicate wings, a collar or anything squashable, put each piece in a seperate suitcase. Pack out each suitcase with bubble wrap and air bags to avoid the costume getting squashed in the luggage hold of the plane. When you check in, expplain what is inside the case and ask the desk staff to put a 'Fragile' sticker on every bag which contains your costume. You want your costume to arrive at the other end in the same condition that you packed it in.
7. Wear your costume with pride!
Not many people get to represnt their country, so enjoy every minute. Prior to leaving, practice how to make the most of your costume. Does it look better if you walk in a certain way? can you show off any more detail by raising your arms or twirling around? Know how to work your costume to show it (and you) and it's best, work that stage, and enjoy every moment!