Miss South Africa has said that her national costume celebrates the country’s mineral wealth with its gold and platinum embellishments. Part bodysuit, part gown, it also symbolizes how different races can come together. The staff, we suspect, is to intimidate contestants during the swimsuit competition.
Photos: Miss Universe 2012’s Most Bizarre National Costumes
On Dec. 19, women from around the world competed at the 61st annual Miss Universe pageant. Here's a look at the contestants' wacky—and occasionally tacky—national ensembles
Miss South Africa Melinda Bam
Full List
Photos: Miss Universe 2012’s Most Bizarre National Costumes
- Miss Puerto Rico Bodine Koehler
- Miss Angola Marcelina Vahekeni
- Miss Guam Alyssa Cruz Aguero
- Miss Trinidad and Tobago Avionne Mark
- Miss St. Lucia Tara Edward
- Miss Bolivia Yessica Mouton
- Miss Honduras Jennifer Andrade
- Miss Jamaica Chantal Zaky
- Miss Spain Andrea Huisgen
- Miss Botswana Sheillah Molelekwa
- Miss British Virgin Islands Abigail Hyndman
- Miss Peru Nicole Faveron
- Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus
- Miss USA Olivia Culpo
- Miss Thailand Nutpimon Farida Waller
- Miss Denmark Josefine Hewitt
- Miss Venezuela Irene Sofia Esser Quintero
- Miss Switzerland Alina Buchschacher
- Miss Russia Elizabeth Golovanova
- Miss Nigeria Isabella Ojong Ayuk
- Miss China Ji Dan Xu
- Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez
- Miss Netherlands Nathalie den Dekker
- Miss Malaysia Kimberley Leggett
- Miss Australia Renae Ayris
- Miss Romania Della Monica Duca
- Miss South Africa Melinda Bam
- Miss Israel Lina Makhuli
- Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon
- Miss Canada Adwoa Yamoah