Amelia Vega, Miss Dominican Republic, won the Best National Costume competition at the Miss Universe contest last night in Panama. Her outfit, designed by Dominican Leonel Lirio, pays tribute to the Caribbean Sea, cost RD$250,000 to make and used 14 yards of material.
The six-foot-tall, 18-year-old beauty received enthusiastic applause from the hundreds of spectators. Vega is used to the attention, however, as her mother had competed in the Miss World pageant in London 23 years ago.
Globalbeauties web site says that Miss Dominican Republic is the second most popular candidate for the prestigious Miss Universe title. The top five ranked contestants as of 27 May were those representing Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Spain, Greece and the USA.
El Caribe newspaper reports that last year, designer Leonel Lirio?s costume for Miss Dominican Republic 2002 took second place in the National Costume contest. El Caribe says that the dress was inspired by the story of a mermaid who, upon reaching the bottom of the sea, turns her body into a net and gathers the loveliest of the sea creatures. Miss Dominican Republic 2002 told this tale while explaining why the Dominican Republic is the best kept secret in the Caribbean.
For a full-size photo of Miss Dominican Republic in her winning costume, see http://www.globalbeauties.com/gb/universe/2003/