A Celebration of Heritage, Craftsmanship and Cultural Grandeur
The Miss Universe 2025 National Costume Show delivered one of the most breathtaking spectacles of the year. It was an evening where identity, mythology, and artistic mastery converged on a global stage, transforming the runway into a living gallery of cultural storytelling.
This edition was a masterclass in couture, where every delegate brought their nation’s soul to life. However, a few exceptional pieces redefined the boundaries of grandeur, earning the highest honors of the night for their unparalleled craftsmanship.
The Winner: Philippines
Ahtisa Manalo stepped onto the world stage carrying the vibrant heart of every Filipino celebration. Her costume, Festejada, served as a poignant reminder that culture is not merely worn—it is lived, shared, and carried with unwavering pride. Through intricate textures and symbolic design, the piece captured the essence of a nation that finds its greatest strength in its heritage.
Rooted in the elegance of the traje de mestiza and crafted from authentic handwoven piña, the costume pays homage to the generations of women whose artistry, resilience, and grace shaped the nation’s history.
Its most breathtaking feature is the skirt: a spectacular formation of over 65,000 handcrafted petals, each representing a piece of the Philippines’ cultural tapestry.
1st Runner-Up: Puerto Rico
Representing grace, precision, and Caribbean artistry, Puerto Rico’s Zashely Alicea captivated the audience with a performance that merged the discipline of ballet with the vibrant spirit of the hummingbird.
As a trained ballerina, Zashely brought the concept to life with fluid, controlled movements, her extensions and turns echoing the delicate flutter of the Caribbean colibrí. The result was a poetic performance that celebrated resilience, elegance, and Latina excellence.
2nd Runner-Up: Venezuela
Venezuela delivered one of the night’s most spellbinding creations with a marine-inspired goddess representing the guardian of the Los Roques archipelago. Known for its turquoise waters and vibrant coral reefs, Los Roques became the muse for a look shimmering with iridescent elements.
Stephany Abasali embodied the deity with commanding presence, delivering not only visual splendor but also a powerful environmental message: the urgent need to protect fragile marine ecosystems and coral life.
Standout Costumes: Mexico and Colombia
Mexico honored Xochiquétzal, the Aztec goddess of beauty, fertility, and love. Vibrant, ceremonial, and exquisitely detailed, the costume combined sculptural symbolism with floral elegance. Wearing the creation, Fátima Bosch embodied divine femininity.
Colombia offered a luminous tribute to its ancestral roots with a creation inspired by ancient Pre-Columbian civilizations. Designed by Latin America’s legendary couturier Alfredo Barraza, the costume showcased intricate goldwork, ancestral patterns, and regal structure — each element honoring the
metallurgical genius and sacred worldview of Colombia’s
indigenous cultures.
At Original Living Magazine, we believe in the transformative power of platforms like Miss Universe when they remain anchored in values: empowerment, diversity, cultural pride, and human connection.
