Traditional Dresses around the World as Presented by this year’s Miss Earth

Hello Ladies!

How many of you like to watch beauty pageants on television?

(If you watched it live then that’s more awesome!)

Okay, I can’t deny my fascination with beauty pageants. I grew up watching it on television with my family and my best friend, which is usually aired every Sunday evening. So we have this tradition of eating dinner much earlier than usual because we need to get ready to watch (and be our own judge) cheering for our own candidates each year. Some might think it’s quite weird, but it became a family-bonding moment.

We all watched and admire each candidate on how to poise they are, how they could manage to walk on 4-inches heels and not looking down (gosh I tried it, and it's hell!) and not tripping off with their gorgeous gown and well-airbrushed make-up. Watching in front of that television, the feeling was so intense and exciting, and there are times a bit frustrating when a long commercial break comes in, thus my opportunity to run to the bathroom for a quick pee. LOL

It’s like a Superbowl for beauty pageants. We have our own bets, judging for their wits and glam, and yes – physical features also included.

One of the segments I do enjoy a lot is the presentation of their versions of National Costumes.
I haven’t got a chance to watch this year’s Miss Earth Pageant 2016 either on live or via television, however, I managed to follow their Facebook Page to get instant updates.

Miss Earth Pageant is an annual beauty pageant with a cause presented by Carousel Productions. Ladies are competing from all over the world to get each year’s title of Miss Earth. The winner will represent the organization to various charitable and environmental causes that they sponsor all over the world.

Is it that fabulous?! Beauty with a Cause!

Before I proceed, I would like to give a huge shout-out for the Miss Earth and Carousel Productions – please send me invites next time! I would like to watch it live! LOL

AS I’ve said earlier I like their presentation on National Costumes.

So I’ve checked the latest photos of this year’s Miss Earth and I enjoyed scrutinizing their dresses.

THE ORIENTAL BEAUTIES

National Costumes of candidates from Chinese Taipei (now Taiwan), Indonesia, Mongolia, Japan, Macau SAR China, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

National Costumes from the Orient nations are more traditional and conservative. Style and fabrics are very unique and well-crafted. Usually it consumes yards and yards of 2 to 3 different fabrics to make one (1) traditional national costume.

I personally admire the dresses from Chinese Taipei, Macau, Japan and Korea – the embroideries are divine, very detailed and of course I just love long dresses. Surprisingly, wearing these dresses might be a little heavy but will keep you warn inside.

Wait until you wear the real kimono – which composed of 3 to 5 layers of dresses all wrapped around your body to create a distinct look.

But wait? Philippines is also an Oriental country right? Where is her national costume?

Here it is with Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart.

I’ve been watching beauty pageants for years and loving Philippine fashion but never has it come to my mind that the traditional national dress of the Philippines is presented like this.

This is like a graphic online RPG character cum mythic character combined.

According to the reports, this version of the Philippine National Costume modeled by Miss Earth Philippines Imelda Schweighart is inspired by the Philippine Eagle. This was called “Half Human, Half Eagle”

I’m telling you ladies, there is no half-human, half-eagle ever existed in my country (only on some RPG games and cosplays). It was reported that this dress was conceptualized and designed by a certain Patrick Starr.

And half-eagle with armor???

Update: Imelda Schweishart, tendered her resignation as Miss Earth Philippines last October 31, 2016, after receiving tons of back clashes online. This was after the scandal she created when she openly likened Philippines' President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to Adolf Hitler, in a conversation with Miss Earth Austria, captured in a video.

Another is when she rants about the yellow gown worn y Miss Earth Katherine Espin, which is supposed to be her gown, but the designer said it is not Imelda's discretion to own it as she didn't pay for it. Oopss drama!

After the crowning ceremony last Sunday, Imelda Schweishart rants to her supporters (again captured on video) that winner Miss Earth Katherine Espin has undergone plastic surgery. Imelda's crying to her fans that Katherine has a "fake nose, fake chin, and fake boobs" and does Miss Earth (according to her) should be "all-natural".

Definitely a huge thumbs down from me. No wonder she is the most hated Beauty Queen in the Philippines.

By the way, an ideal Philippine national costume looks like these:

Excerpt from Mutya ng Ibalong Pageant 2016.

OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES

National Costumes presented by candidates from Palentine, Nepal, Myanmar, India, and Pakistan

Traditional costumes of other Asian countries particularly those located in West Asia, are mixed influenced by both Asia and Middle Eastern traditional designs.

NORTHERN AMERICAN BEAUTIES

National Costumes were presented by the candidates from Belize, the United States of America, Guatemala, Mexico, Canada, and Panama.

North American countries have very diverse influenced of Red Indians, and also during many previous years of colonization of Spanish and French. USA national costumes are inspired by their flag per se (which my country can’t do because wearing our flag as a costume is against the PH law). I admire Mexico’s traditional dress because of its detailed craftsmanship and its classiness, which I personally think also have a similar influence to our country’s national costume. While Canada’s national costume reminds me of the old Red Indians or a huge huge maple tree! (sorry, can’t help it).

SOUTHERN AMERICAN BEAUTIES

National costumes were presented by candidates from Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

I think the national costumes in Southern America (also known as Latin America) are the most festive of all. Maybe because of its influence on Amerindian (aka Native American) ancestors. They are more on huge headdresses, adorned with various colored feathers.

AFRICAN NATION BEAUTIES

National costumes were presented by the candidates from Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Namibia, Uganda, and Zambia.

When I saw their photos I was so stunned by their unique beauties, they look liked African Barbies – they have these beautiful smiles that capture the attention of their audiences.

EUROPEAN BELLES

National Costumes as presented by candidates from Portugal, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, and Sweden.

Belles from the European countries have also unique and diverse cultures. The dresses of Belgium, Italy, and Denmark look like they are warrior belles, while Sweden seems so modest and looking for peace. Sweden’s dress somehow has a similarity with Philippines traditional dresses (not the half-human, half-eagle presented this year).

Overall, this year’s Miss Earth presentation is very interesting and gives me lots of ideas for the next year’s Miss Earth.

Beauty pageants are one of the toughest and stressful competitions, full of effin drama ( like lost gowns, shoes, online bashing, etc.) but in the end, online one belle wins… Congratulations to Miss Ecuador, Katherine Espin for winning this year’s crown!