The press and bloggers have buzzed about the national costume that will be worn by Miss Universe Australia 2011 Scherri-Lee Biggs in Brazil next month as she competes for the title of Miss Universe. While a good portion of opinions have been very positive, there have been a bit of negative comments associated with the design. This year, Nikki Silverthorne of Kooey Swimwear designed the national costume which on the positive has been called a ‘beautiful representation’ of Australia and on the negative side, ‘misleading’. Kooey Swimwear and Miss Universe Australia are very much counterparts in terms of their goals the celebrate and showcase Australia. In fact, the swimwear brand and the organization can be seen as sisters; Kooey has been the official swimsuit sponsor of the Miss Universe Australia Pageant since 2009. While the negative comments are nowhere near as bad as comments spun in the media in past years, including the so-called ‘national travesty’.  On its Facebook page, Kooey has expressed “it’s a scary experience putting something you have designed out there when its predecessors have been scrutinized so much!” The Australian swimwear brand added “Everyone is entitled to their opinion and we never expected everyone to love it or understand it – its our interpretation and our opinions is what makes us individuals! Also – does anyone really want a national costume we all love – what would we have to talk about if no one hated it!” and even went as far as to say “if you really hate it – we dare you to make it next year!” Over the past years designs have ranged a gown with an illustration of a map of Sydney Harbor, an organza frock meant to mimic the various landscapes of Australia, a Crocodile-Dundee inspired outfit, a very literally lifesaver bathing suit, gowns topped with feathered hats, and a costume that featured a swimsuit that was hand-painted by an Aboriginal artist. While many have appreciated the looks of these costumes, they also ranged in comments being called ‘safe and drab’, compared to a ‘Vegas Showgirl’, ‘a national joke’, a ‘travesty’, among many other choice words and phrases.

When reflecting on these costumes, it would be good to note that the costume which was deemed ‘drab’ belonged to Jennifer Hawkins who won the title of Miss Universe 2004 and the costume which was deemed a ‘national joke’ belonged to Jesinta Campbell who went on to place 2nd runner-up at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant which is the closest positioning to the crown since Hawkins took home the title. While I can understand everyone’s right to an opinion and own personal tastes, I find it hard not to discuss some of the problems I have with negative comments regarding this year’s choice of national costume and even previous years’ choices.

• While I’d like to assume the reason some individuals feel so strongly about their dislike of a costume enough to call the designer a ‘muppet’ and recommend the costume be killed by fire, is because they  have such a strong connection to Australia that they and only they know what is uniquely identifiable as Australian. And these said individuals have sent letters and emails to the Miss Universe Australia Organization to show the true ‘look’ of Australia over the past several months, I am sure that is not the case.
• It boggles my mind to think how hate-filled some comments can be, particularly about something that is clearly up to interpretation. While some countries may actually have a costume that is clearly identifiable with their nation such a kimono or a gomesi, other countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and elsewhere have a blend of cultures which makes it very difficult to say a particular ‘look’ is ‘truly Australian’ or ‘really Canadian’.
• While I can appreciate people who believe fashion is supposed to look ‘beautiful’, it should be important to note that not only is beauty in the eye of the beholder, but this is the national costume not the evening gown. Additionally, this is a pageant which allows for a bit of theatrical looks as opposed to a ‘safe’ look that may not stand out in the big stage. The reigning Miss Universe, Ximena Navarrete wore a costume that featured the Aztec calendar during her run for the crown. Additionally, Miss Japan 2006, Kurara Chibana placed 1st runner-up and won best national costume during the 2006 Miss Universe pageant, as she traded the kimono for a costume that paid homage to the samurai, sword included.
• When I think of Australia there are a number of images that are in my mind that are not limited to a single look or idea. If someone asked me to describe Australia in one word, my answer would probably be ‘beautiful’ because it’s the only word I could use to describe a vast amount of terrains, people, and histories. Additionally, countries all over the world have various accomplishments, histories, and experiences. A national costume as times has the ability to celebrate environment like the lush lands and blue waters, its’ people from lifeguards, firefighters, men and women of its military, and its culture from the indigenous to the newly defined or defining. Making a choice to to highlight one feature of a place is one of the most difficult things to do, however, particularly in the case of a beauty pageant, while the costume may show off one feature, the contestant can personally share her experiences and show first hand why her country is unique and great.
• What impresses me most about these national costumes is not just the creativity and work of the designers but also how present and past Miss Universe Australia titleholders have dealt with the comments. Scherri-Lee Biggs has said, “People have to remember it is a costume and it’s about having fun.” Additionally, Jesinta Campbell, who probably received the harshest criticism which made worldwide headlines focused on the positives as she exclaimed the purpose of her choices for her eclectic costume, explaining, “Part of our Australian identity is our indigenous heritage and it was so important that it was included in the national costume.” These women have allowed situations to highlight their ability to be outstanding representatives of their country even when faced with criticism.
• While I believe it’s everyone’s right to like or dislike this years costume, to put my own two cents in, I love it and can appreciate it as a national costume for Australia. while it is not a clear stereotype of what anyone may feel Australia is, it showcases what it isn’t; which is a country that is divisive and not unique in its culture and land. Australia is the only continent, island and country on the globe and its geography is like no where else. While some costumes are inspired by and other are inspiring, the Kooey deigned national costume maintains a balance of both.