Miss Universe Nigeria, Maristella Okpala, won the Best in National Costume award, a costume designed by Filipino fashion student Kenny Gasper.
The Mmwana costume was inspired by a well-known traditional masquerade of a tribe in southern Nigeria, and it featured a beaded headpiece, an ornate tribal mask, and a brilliant ancient back cape. Maristella explained what it symbolized on her Instagram page:
It represents the beautiful Mmanwu who fought tirelessly to stop girl child mutilation and child slavery while the colourful patterns and embellishments portray the African dashiki which offers a visual appeal and forms meant to invoke the ancestral spirits.
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I picked this particular costume because I see a self-reflection of my cause in this Mmanwu who protects children and women against any form of abuse.
Gasper expressed his thanks in a Facebook post following Maristella’s win for Best in National Costume. “Thank you Lord. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala talaga. Umiiyak ako kanina habang kayakap si mama (I still can’t believe it. I was crying earlier while hugging my mom),” he wrote.
Congratulations ladies, thank you for making us proud!
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