Like a phoenix from the ashes. "Miss Ukraine Universe" will appear on the stage of the international contest in an unusual outfit with a symbolic meaning

"Miss Universe Ukraine" 2013 Anhelina Usanova will represent Ukraine at the international beauty pageant Miss Eco International-2024 to be held in Egypt. The main goal of the pageant is to popularize the importance of caring for the planet and the environment. The winner of the contest will become the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Ecology and the Environment.

This was reported by the press service of Miss Universe Ukraine. The organization team brought 11 suitcases with a total weight of more than 230 kg to Egypt. They contain clothes, jewelry, and national and eco-costumes from Ukrainian designers.

"Phoenix" is Anhelina Usanova's national costume for the Miss Eco International-2024 contest. The mythical creature symbolizes Ukraine, which is under fire every day, but continues to live, rebuild destroyed cities, love, create, and give birth to children. The phoenix is a symbol of immortality.

The dress is made entirely from recycled materials. Most of the materials were provided by the team of the NGO Ukraine Without Waste, which aims to introduce a culture of household waste sorting in Ukraine. In total, more than 1500 plastic spoons and more than 500 plastic knives were used for the costume. Plastic appliances were used for the wings, headdress, and corset.

The headdress was created from pieces of plastic and plastic knives. Large feathers were cut out of plastic sheets to form the basis of the headdress, and then they were textured and shaped with fire.

The skirt is also recycled. At first glance, it looks like it is made of expensive fabric, but in fact, it is made of used curtains. The designers spent more than three weeks at a second-hand store looking for curtains and tulle in different shades of blue and gold, which they then used to cut out real couture. They purposely left parts of the material where the eyelets were attached so that it could be understood that these were ordinary curtains and drapes.

The golden feathers on the corset look like they are made of metal, but they are made of a pillow case, also purchased at a second-hand store. The stones and rhinestones on the dress are not precious crystals from Swarovski, but are collected from used dresses, tops, and T-shirts." I really wanted to create a dress that would be couture and that at first glance it would be impossible to understand what it was made of," says Lesya Patoka, the author of the idea and founder of Patoka studio.

Anhelina Usanova's eco-costume is called "The World on Fire". Just like the national costume, this outfit is made from recycled materials and reveals one of the world's environmental problems. To choose the theme of the costume, the designers talked to Ukrainian experts in this field and decided that the outfit should reveal the theme of burned territories.

Due to Russia's full-scale invasion, the entire East of Ukraine is suffering from fires caused by missile and artillery shelling, and drone attacks by the aggressor country. Sad statistics show that 2.4 million hectares have been damaged by fire, destroying forests, soil, and national parks. This is 75% of Belgium's area.

The image of Anhelina Usanova's eco-suit also describes the problem of forest fires around the world. Last year alone, forest fires led to large-scale destruction, deforestation, carbon emissions, and the deaths and injuries of people.

The bodice of the dress is decorated with red and black plastic bottles, as well as details cut from construction tubes. Each detail is individually treated with fire to give the shape and appearance of flames. The skirt of the World on Fire is made of organza and tulle curtains and tulle with a print of fire on it, just like the national costume. The headdress also consists of lights and resembles a flame that is being kindled. The stones are taken from recycled dresses.

It was more difficult to create the eco-suit than the national costume because it is a transforming costume. More than 5 meters of printed fabric were hidden in it, which should create the effect of volcanic lava flows erupting when you go on stage. "We have very powerful images, very high-quality costumes. I believe that Anhelina Usanova will be able to bring us victory and become the UN Goodwill Ambassador for Ecology and the Environment," adds Lesia Patoka.

"For me, as a Ukrainian woman, participation in the Miss Eco International pageant is an important tool in attracting even more attention to help the Ukrainian land. My main dream and mission is peace and protection of the planet and the environment. This is a very exciting and responsible moment," says Anhelina Usanova, sharing her impressions.

Especially for Earth Day, which is traditionally celebrated on April 22, the singer presents the video for the song "Earth", filmed in Kyiv. The composition was born after watching a documentary series on the topic of preserving the fragile environment of the planet Earth.

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