It looks like a work of art
After dominating the Miss Elegance and preliminary competition of Miss Supranational 2021 pageant, Filipino beauty queen Dindi Pajares now wows netizens with the reveal of her national costume.

Crafted by Zamboanga-based designer Erich Miñoza, the costume mirrors the province's mascota heritage, a garb worn in the 1900s. Dubbed "Poderosa," which means "powerful lady," the costume is inspired by the traditional traje that is all about female empowerment. The ensemble is composed of six elements: corpiño (silk or cotton slip), candongga (or the panuelo), renggue (upper garment), sobre falda (tapis), cola (the skirt), and enaguas (inner lining of the skirt). Dindi notes that the look is not a mascota if any of the elements is absent.
"It aims to channel the cry for women empowerment, a work of art that would definitely make everyone stop," Dindi posted. "The designer believes fashion has often been stigmatized as frivolous and antithetical to feminism. This exhibition is showing the opposite."
The intricately designed garb features a myriad of design elements, from crystal beading and fabric manipulation to antique small bells, laser cut out, and more. It is completed with a halo-like headpiece by Cebuano designer Louie Gallego. All in all, this costume "challenges the stereotypes of what feminism can be."