The national costume blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion, inspired by the legendary Princess Walinong Sari from Pahang folklore
Sandra Lim, the reigning Miss Universe Malaysia 2024, unveiled the ‘Princess Walinong Sari’ national costume and evening gown today at a press conference in Petaling Jaya for the 73rd MISS UNIVERSE® competition, taking place on November 16, 2024, in Mexico City.
Designed by renowned Malaysian designer Ezuwan Ismail, the national costume blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary fashion, inspired by the legendary Princess Walinong Sari from Pahang folklore, symbolizing courage, grace, and women’s empowerment. The princess chose to hone her martial arts skills instead of marrying for tradition, mirroring Sandra’s determination to excel in acting, martial arts, charity, and modeling.
“I want to show that a woman can be both fierce and graceful,” Sandra said. “Princess Walinong Sari symbolizes resilience and beauty, and I hope to represent Malaysian women’s strength on the Miss Universe stage.”
The Princess Warrior symbolizes courage, grace, and women’s empowerment.
Crafted from locally sourced Malaysian fabrics, the costume features a handwoven songket and intricate sulam tebuk embroidery, highlighting Malaysian heritage. The design reflects the warrior spirit of Princess Walinong Sari, while the detailing adds elegance and regality. The costume took several weeks to create, involving a team of 10 skilled artisans, and will include a special reveal of a hidden element symbolizing the transition from princess to warrior.
Ezuwan Ismail noted the challenges of sourcing authentic traditional materials while ensuring modern functionality. He expressed excitement about the outcome, hoping Sandra’s performance would beautifully showcase Malaysia’s heritage.
In addition to the national costume, Sandra will don an elegant evening gown, also designed by Ezuwan Ismail. The gown reflects grace and sophistication, featuring luxurious fabrics and exquisite detailing. Crafted to captivate the global stage, it embodies the elegance and personality of the Miss Universe Malaysia 2024 winner.
The costume features a handwoven songket and intricate sulam tebuk embroidery, highlighting Malaysian heritage
As Sandra continues her journey to the global stage, this unveiling showcases her commitment to representing Malaysia while celebrating its rich cultural heritage and inspiring women. The Miss Universe Malaysia Organization proudly supports her in this endeavor and looks forward to seeing her shine.
For more information visit https://mumo.com.my/
