Costume as Performance Art

I always look forward to the National Costume event of every beauty pageant yearly. As always, it is a showcase of each candidate's national identity in all colors, shapes and forms anyone could imagine. Truly, a feast for the eyes. Of course there is a bit more to it than that. There is something magical in donning a costume and parading it in public. Stepping into another character through the act of wearing it can be considered a performance art in itself. A candidate who knows how to add mystery, whimsy, allure and other character traits to the personality by the simple act of putting on costume stands out from the rest and leaves a lasting impression on the viewers.


Here are the judges choices for the top 10 Best National Costume in the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant held in Nha Trang, Vietnam:

Albania, Matilda Mecini



Colombia, Taliana Vargas



Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz



India, Simran Kaur



Kosovo, Zana Krasniqi



Mexico, Elisa Najera



Peru, Karol Castillo



South Africa, Tansey Coetzee



Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza



Vietnam, Nguyen Thuy Lam