Another year, another Miss Universe pageant begins!
The preliminary competition may have only kicked off this week, but already people haven't been able to stop talking about one contestant.
Anna Sueangam-iam, who is representing Thailand in the competition, hit the stage with a unique evening dress that wowed the crowd, and garnered tens of thousands of likes after she posted an image of herself wearing it to Instagram.
For the evening dress, Sueangam-iam chose to pay homage to her parents in a very touching way. The upcycled item was reportedly made by Thai designer Manirat using hundreds of soda can tabs that were embellished with Swarovski crystals, per Insider.
Designer Arif Jehwang stated that he was inspired by Miss Thailand's modest upbringing, which served as inspiration for the glittering gown.
In her Instagram post, Sueangam-iam described how the dress - known as the Hidden Precious Diamond Dress - was designed.
"This gown was inspired by the familiar surroundings of my childhood. Growing up with garbage collector parents, my life as a child was among piles of garbage and recyclables," she wrote.
"This unique gown was purposefully tailored-made with discarded and recycled materials, namely the ‘Can Tab’ to present to the UNIVERSE that what’s considered worthless by many actually possesses its own value and beauty. Thank you all for seeing it, hearing it, and hopefully being that message of self-worth," the beauty queen added.
Many people commented praise for Sueangam-iam on Miss Universe Thailand's Instagram page, with one fan writing: "Very beautiful dress, very good story.
"Creating work from waste to recycle and combining with swarovki. It's very wow. Applause for the designer and the team."
Another user added: "OMGOSH [...] love the environmental aspect of the beautiful dress [...]."
"More than a beautiful dress is the story of the dress. Very good. Very good," a third person chimed in.
The Miss Universe Thailand Instagram page quoted Sueangam-iam in a recent post on their page, writing: "You must not get stuck with murky surroundings you were born into, but do believe you have the power to change your own life for the better."
"Persistence, tenaciousness and optimism within her have led her to a great success in life. It is the result of being brought up by a father who is a garbage collector, street-sweeper mother, and a virtuous nun who was Anna's great-grandmother. Although she was called by some as 'The garbage beauty queen,' that never stops her from shining bright as a precious gem," they added.
The three-hour-long Miss Universe competition is set to take place in New Orleans' Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Saturday, January 14, per Parade.
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