Miss Ukraine has been praised for the stunning dress she will wear for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant competition.
Viktoria Apanasenko, representing the war-torn country, will appear in a "Warrior of Light" costume at the pageant show in New Orleans on January 14, 2023.
She took to her social media page to unveil her look, which detailed a captivating multilayered motif with oversized blue and yellow wings to represent the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
Apanasenko wrote on her Instagram that the dress symbolizes "our nation’s fight against darkness. Like Archangel Michael, who defends Ukraine with a sword, it protects us".
Check out her Instagram post below:"Viktoria has a weapon in her hands, her body is covered in armor, and at the same time, she carries light through the darkness that came to our peaceful lands with the aggressor. The monolithic jumpsuit symbolizes armor and wraps Victoria like a second skin," the pageant contestant continued.
Apanasenko explained the details of the garment, saying the white dress "consists of a stylization of a vyshyvanka [an embroidered shirt worn in Ukrainian and Belarusian national costumes] with puffy sleeves" and "a skirt that has more than 10 meters of fabric to it".
The model said that the fascinating costume was designed by Lesia Patoka and her label Nagolovy four months into the war in "extreme conditions, to the sound of sirens, without electricity, and by candlelight".
On the social media platform, the meaning behind the enchanting dress was appreciated by all with one user writing: "Absolutely amazing! What a powerful statement made by a strong woman from a strong, determined country. Bravo."
Another person also praised: "Love Saint Michael the Archangel, he is my guide and my faith is with him, what a beauty in a suit, you have honored the struggle of your country, I congratulate you, you are a warrior of peace."
A third user commented: "You're such an inspiration for all of us! You are a Warrior & also a Queen, what a beautiful & tremendous [national costume] it surely signifies the true essence of you & your beloved country Ukraine, we adore you with our whole heart."
Even people on Twitter complimented the attire, with one person noting: "Miss Ukraine’s costume for Miss Universe is called the Warrior of Light. I cannot tell you how badass this is."
Meanwhile, another was so in love with the dress, that they suggested that if toy company Mattel made a limited edition Barbie doll of it and donated the profits to Ukraine, they would buy it.
In Apanasenko's Instagram post, she further elaborated on the design and said that the headwear is "decorated with spikelets" - which is a tradition in her country.
"Symbolic wings are burned in battle, framed in blue and gold armor in the colors of the Ukrainian flag," she continued. "And, decorated with various mirror ornaments, opened for the decisive battle."
Meanwhile, the designer of the costume spoke to the New York Post about the apparel being worn on a well-known stage and said: "For us, it is important to show the world that Ukraine is strong, brave, and unbreakable. We are ready to fight for our freedom because we know its price".
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