Friday, January 30, 2015

Miss Universe Australia National Costumes: A Review


Last week marked The 63rd Miss Universe Pageant, an annual showcase of the most stunning beauty on the planet which billionaire Donald Trump requires to harness and use in regenerating the carcinogenic cell tissue that putrefies beneath his ghastly wig.
You're fired.

Every year, the Parade of Nations segment displays an array of iconic national symbolism from each country’s representative, in the form of a horrendously ghastly fashion calamity. Australia has certainly not shied away from serving numerous offenses to the palate of visual aesthetic over the years with our efforts in national costume design. We pay tribute to these abominations below:

 
2004 – Jennifer Hawkins
 
DESIGNER VISION:
"The traditional frock is a vintage dress line I did when I was in college and depicts the Harbour and foreshores from an aerial view."
- Paris Dwyer


 WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE
The aftermath of a Western Australian coal miner having cleaned his face with a Wet Wipe and used it to blow his nose; not necessarily in that order.
I’ll stick to Google Maps, thanks.

 
2005 – Michelle Guy
 
DESIGNER VISION:

I have scoured dozens of articles online trying to source the designer of this monstrosity.
All I could find was:
“Exactly who was responsible for the ‘national costume’ worn by Perth teenager Michelle Guy during the Miss Universe competition? It seems no-one is owning-up as the creative genius behind the feathery, gum-nutted floral extravaganza, complete with Crocodile Dundee top hat, which has been derided by fashion critics back home...”
- Sydney Morning Herald, May 31st 2005

WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE
You know a design is bad when the creator remains anonymous. Let’s put Nan’s tablecloth back in the cupboard, hang the floral wreath back up on the dunny wall and never speak of that blasphemous headwear ever again under the sanctity of all that is humanly decent.

 
2006 – Erin McNaught
 
DESIGNER VISION:
Tsk tsk, another cowardly designer laying low from the public backlash of committing the fabric equivalent of a war crime by not attaching their name to their patriotic aberration.
(Utterly understandable.)


WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A slutty Halloween costume of Rescue Rangers: Down Under.

 
2007 – Kimberley Busteed
 
DESIGNER VISION:
 “It wasn't up to designers to choose. We just got told what to wear. I thought it showed off Australia well and me as well. It presented the girl that I am."
- Kimberley Busteed 

WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A Little Nippers advertisement in the local newspaper. Pigtails and pink sandals? Come on, guys, this is a MISS UNIVERSE pageant broadcast to over a billion people around the world.

 
2008 – Laura Dundovic
 
DESIGNER VISION:
 Rather than drawing inspiration from Australian characters, such as surfers and shearers, I want to express the natural elements of the country - the colour and shape to create a beautiful sweeping gown that will comment on the sea, sand and desert.”
- Jayson Brundson

WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A jellyfish was put through an inkjet printer during a cyan test print.

 
2009 – Rachael Finch
 
DESIGNER VISION:
“A Sunset Over the Opera House creation featuring a silver sequined bodice; a leg-revealing skirt in shades of tangerine, melon and pink; flashes of flesh and a lace-up back.”
- Ruth Tarvydas

WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A surgical instructional video on vajazzling.

 
2010 – Jesinta Campbell
 
DESIGNER VISION:
Not even kidding, the designer of this dress tried funding their effort with a $3,000 Pozible kickstarter. It fell short of target after raising only $500 in pledges.
“[The costume] will ooze our rich, unique landscapes by contrasting textures and fabrics. I hope to use elements that are iconic to Australia and want to show our indigenous heritage through colour and mix media.”
- Natasha Dwyer

WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A How To Train Your Dragon character fell into a pile of Vegemite labels on their way to Starbucks.

 
2011 - Scherri-Lee Biggs
 
DESIGNER VISION:
“The costume was inspired by Australia's breathtaking landscapes. It represents the whole country from coast to the centre… with a vivid gold belt buckle to represent our booming mining industry.”
- Kooey designer Nikki Silverthorne

WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A Despicable Me minion vomiting mulled berry punch everywhere.

 
2012 - Renae Ayris
 
 
DESIGNER VISION:
“I want the design to represent everything golden, prosperous and lucky about Australia… to be really fresh and bright and also represent the sunsets of Australia. It is inspired by the sails of the Sydney Opera House.”
- Jessica Bregenhoj

WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A Greek goddess from one of those ‘guilty pleasure’ cream cheese commercials marketed to young suburban stay-at-home mothers.

 
2013 – Olivia Wells
 
DESIGNER VISION:
"I wanted to show the curves of the female form, whilst combining elements of Australian beaches (the cascade of sparkling jewels). The sexy silhouette reflects our weather and beach culture. The ostrich feather reflects Australia's unique fauna…  I grew up by the sand and water, and had seen a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef's ecosystems.”
- Jason Chetcuti

 WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
A toilet brush after being dipped into a cistern full of Duck brand bowl-rim disinfectant.


 2014 – Tegan Martin
 
DESIGN VISION:
My costume is inspired by the Dreamtime [with permission from the Wurundgeri tribe]. This gown represents the oldest, ancient, island continent on earth; rich in minerals; surrounded by the azure blue Pacific, Indian and Southern oceans; and embraced by brilliant sunsets.”
- Caitlin Holstock

 WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE:
The third chick from the Destiny Child’s Survivor music video who nobody remembers.



 
With Australia having a rather lazy sense of national identity (What are our national colour themes? True Blue? Green & Gold? Sydney Harbour whites? Earthy outback tones? Sun and surf?) it will always be difficult to represent our continental nation in chiffon form as our representative sash sashays down the runway - but heck, surely professional designers can do a bit better than this line-up of cringe-inducing frock shocks and thumbs-down gown creations?

 
COSTUME IDEAS FOR MISS UNIVERSE AUSTRALIA 2015:

- Craft a giant cubic foam lamington costume

- I’m A Barbie Girl (including shrimp headdress chucked on top)

- Staple Yahoo Serious to the pageant contestant

 - Pay tribute to our monarchist overlords by wearing a Union Jack morphsuit and cape
 
- A lifesized goon bag pegged to a revolving Hills Hoist

 

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