Ukraine's Viktoria Apanasenko reveals national costume for 71st Miss Universe


Miss Universe Ukraine 2022 Viktoria Apanasenko finally revealed her symbolic national costume for the 71st Miss Universe pageant.

The "Warrior of Light" costume symbolizes her nation's fight against the darkness, like an archangel Michael with a sword protecting Ukraine. It was completed in four months of extreme conditions, to the sound of sirens, without electricity, and by candlelight.

In addition to a weapon in her hand, the costume also features a monolithic jumpsuit that covers Viktoria's body like armor, a vyshyvanka-styled white dress with puffy sleeves and skirt with over 10 meters of fabric, a beautiful headpiece, and wings inspired by the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

"It is the personification of inner strength, courage, determination and will flowing in our veins. War cannot break our strength and will not discolor our hearts. Ukraine will bloom like a phoenix even in a fire. It shines with bright rays of kindness and faith," Viktoria shared on social media.

"We are all true warriors of light - unbreakable, made of steel, who will definitely defeat the darkness and evil that has come to our land," she added.

Designed by costume designer Lesia Patoka, the meaningful national costume will be showcased during the upcoming 71st Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA this January.

Photos: Olena Rozbytska / Miss Ukraine

Popular posts from this blog

Miss World Somalia 2025 is Zainab Jama

Image
Zainab Jama, 23, has been officially announced to represent Somalia at the 72nd Miss World competition in Hyderabad, India this May. The new Miss World Somalia holds a degree in aviation and airport management and is passionate about global opportunities and cultural exchange. As the founder of the Female Initiative Foundation, she is a dedicated activist against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), using her platform to protect and empower young girls. Beyond advocacy, Zainab enjoys football, modeling, and poetry. No stranger to pageantry, she has previously joined the Miss Global 2023 pageant in Vietnam where she made the Top 13. "I am beyond honored, humbled, and emotional to officially announce that I have been crowned Miss World Somalia 2025 and will be representing my beautiful country on the Miss World stage," she wrote online. "This moment is more than just a title—it is a testament to hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering faith. The journey to this crown was not easy...
Read more

Miss World Thailand 2025 is Opal Suchata Chuangsri

Image
Opal Suchata Chuangsri was officially proclaimed Miss World Thailand 2025 in a special press presentation held on Tuesday, April 22 in Bangkok. The 22-year-old political science major at Thammasat University will represent Thailand at Miss World 2025 in Hyderabad ( Telangana), India this May. No stranger to pageantry, Opal was previously crowned Miss Universe Thailand and went to Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico where she finished as the third runner-up. "I am deeply honored to be standing here as your new Miss World Thailand. Carrying not only the crown and the sash, i carry with me the hopes and the spirit of my people, my nation," she said during her speech. The new Miss World Thailand initiated the project "Opal For Her" to support underprivileged and unfortunate women suffering with breast cancer. Road to the 72nd Miss World: View this post on Instagram A post shared by TPN GLOBAL (@tpn.global) Photos: TPN GLOBAL / Instagram
Read more

Philippines' Alexie Caimoso Brooks crowned Miss Eco International 2025

Image
Alexie Caimoso Brooks from the Philippines was crowned Miss Eco International 2025 on Saturday, April 19 at the Hilton Alexandria Green Plaza in Egypt. The 24-year-old athlete and model from the province of Iloilo became the third Filipina to win the international pageant next to Cynthia Thomalla (2018) and Kathleen Paton (2022). Yulinar Fitrani of Indonesia was named first runner-up while Yelyzaveta Adamska of Ukraine, Cynthia Murillo of the USA, and Victoria Repollo Inglis of the United Kingdom finished second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Eco International bested over 30 other contestants to succeed last year's winner Angelina Usanova from Ukraine. She also bagged the Best in National Costume award. "Heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported, helped, and believed in me. Lahat kayo, buong-buo ang puso ko sa pasasalamat. Salamat," she wrote online. No stranger to pageantry, Alexie was previously crowned Miss Iloilo and joined Miss Un...
Read more

Plus-sized Sara Milliken crowned Miss Alabama for National American Miss 2024

Image
Plus-sized beauty Sara Milliken was crowned the National American Miss Alabama 2024 during the state final held on May 27 at the Renaissance Marriot in Montgomery. The 23-year-old model and mental health advocate from Atmore, Alabama is now expected to represent her home state at the National American Miss 2024 competition later this year. "This is a dream that has been 8 years in the making for me," said the new National American Miss Alabama who first joined the state pageant when she was 15 years old. After enduring bullying upon her return at the age of 16, she decided to take a break from joining for 7 years. However, this year, she mustered up the courage to give the crown another shot. "I returned to the NAM stage to prove to myself I didn't give up. I could do this. I was more than the mean things that was said to me," Sara wrote online. "I was authentically myself. I had fun. I had the most genuine smile on my face. I wasn't perfect." In r...
Read more

Sofie Ørn Andersen to represent Denmark at Miss Supranational 2025

Image
Sofie Ørn Andersen was officially proclaimed Miss Supranational Denmark 2025 in a special ceremony recently held at the Odd Fellow Palace in Copenhagen. The 24-year-old registered nurse, specializing in cardiology, from Hillerød will represent Denmark at Miss Supranational 2025 in Poland this June. She received the crown from her predecessor Victoria Larsen who made the Top 12 at Miss Supranational 2024 and clinched the continental title of Miss Supranational Europe. The newly appointed Miss Supranational Denmark finished as the second runner-up at the Miss Denmark 2024 competition at Cirkusbygningen last September. Sofie actively supports charitable causes, using her nursing perspective to advocate for a stronger healthcare system and ensure that all families have access to essential necessities. Through her initiative From the Ground up and her work with the organization Mødrehjælpen, she hopes to inspire positive change and contribute to a world where care, compassion, and...
Read more

Señorita Panama org appoints Mirna Caballini for Miss Universe 2025

Image
Mirna Alejandra Caballini Bouche has been revealed by the Señorita Panama organization as official representative of Panama for Miss Universe 2025. The 22-year-old professional model, singer, theater actress and fashion designer will head to Thailand to compete in the 74th Miss Universe pageant this November. No stranger to pageantry, Mirna previously represented Chiriquí at the Miss Universe Panama 2024 competition and finished as the second runner-up. The new Miss Universe Panama speaks Spanish, English and currently studies Italian. She is the CEO of MCaballini Productions, a company dedicated to the production of children's works. According to Señorita Panama, the winner of Miss Universe Panama 2025 this October will represent the country at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. Meet the newly appointed Miss Universe Panama: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Douglas Díaz | Fotógrafo (@douglasdiazphoto) Photos: Señorita Panama, Douglas Díaz / Instagram
Read more

Buenos Aires' Camila Barraza crowned Miss Supranational Argentina 2025

Image
Camila Barraza was crowned Miss Supranational Argentina 2025 in a national competition held on Thursday, April 17 at the Palacio Alsina in Buenos Aires. The 31-year-old model beat 11 other contestants to win the title. She will now prepare to represent Argentina at Miss Supranational 2025 in Poland this June. Lourdes Flores Sanchez of La Rioja and Micaela Drska of Salta were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Reigning Miss Supranational Harashta Haifa Zahra of Indonesia visited the South American country to grace the glittering pageant. Meet the new Miss Supranational Argentina: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Supranational Argentina (@misssupranationalargentina) Photos: Miss Supranational Argentina / Instagram
Read more

Iloilo City's Alexie Mae Brooks crowned Miss Eco International Philippines 2025

Image
Alexie Mae Brooks was officially designated as Miss Eco International Philippines 2025 in a ceremony following the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 pageant on May 22 in Pasay City. The 22-year-old national athlete from Iloilo City is now expected to represent the Philippines at Miss Eco International 2025 in Egypt on a date yet to be announced. She succeeds Cebu City's Chantal Elise Schmidt, who placed first runner-up at Miss Eco International 2024 which was held last month in Cairo. Before joining this year's Miss Universe Philippines where she was one of the heavy favorites, Alexie was crowned Miss Iloilo 2024 last January. Aside from her Top 10 finish among 53 contestants, she also went home with the Best in National Costume as well as special awards from sponsors such as Face of Avon, Miss Buscopan, Miss JellLife, and Miss Zonrox. Here's the new Miss Eco Philippines in her green Rian Fernandez gown: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alexie...
Read more

Miss Universe Guatemala 2022 is Ivana Batchelor

Image
Ivana Batchelor was crowned Miss Universe Guatemala 2022 on Friday, June 3 at the Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias in Guatemala City. The 21-year-old professional model is a native of Quetzaltenango. She is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in social communication and enjoys dancing flamenco. Ivana is no stranger to pageantry as she placed second runner-up at Miss Grand International 2020 pageant which was held in Thailand. The new Miss Universe Guatemala succeeds last year's titleholder Dania Guevara Morfin and will now prepare to represent her country at Miss Universe 2022. Guatemala has yet to win Miss Universe. The Central American country only placed three times in the pageant since 1955 and the last one was in 2010 with Jessica Scheel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ivana Batchelor (@ivana.batch) Photo: Josue Cuella / Miss Universe Guatemala, Mardoqueo Pérez / Ivana Batchelor / Instagram
Read more

Filipino-German Anna Valencia Lakrini crowned Miss Supranational Germany 2025

Image
Former Binibining Pilipinas Globe titleholder Anna Valencia Lakrini was crowned Miss Supranational Germany 2025 at the recently held Queens of Germany 2025 pageant in Berlin. The 27-year-old Filipino-German, born in Stuttgart, will now prepare to represent Germany at Miss Supranational 2025 in Poland this June. No stranger to pageantry, Anna was previously crowned Binibining Pilipinas Globe (The Miss Globe Philippines) at Binibining Pilipinas 2023 while representing the province of Bataan. She was sent to compete in behalf of the Philippines at The Miss Globe 2023 pageant in Albania and finished as second runner-up. "I am deeply honored to wear the Miss Supranational Germany crown, not just for myself, but for the cultures that raised me, the values that shaped me, and the people who never let me give up," she shared online. "With this crown, I honor where I come from and all the dreams that brought me here," she added. Road to the 16th Miss Supranational: V...
Read more