The winning national costume design for Miss Universe Thailand 2016 was announced yesterday. After a year of tuk tuk dress, the pageant committee goes back to basics by choosing an elegant, traditional Thai costume.
The winning design “Jewel of Thailand” features a gold long-sleeved top with a sabai and a matching skirt. It was inspired by a type of traditional Thai dress called “Siwalai,” as worn by Queen Sirikit in many of her appearances decades ago.
The designer Hirankrit Paipibulkul said he was inspired after watching old footage of the queen, who he said represents a true Thai beauty and is admired by many women of all generations.
The Siwalai dress was originated by Queen Sirikit, a fashionable woman in her days. The dress was, practically speaking, a modernized and Westernized version of a traditional Thai costume. It also suits a colder climate.
The dress will be brought to life and decorated with Swarovski diamonds. The concept of this traditional design is “a woman who loves her traditions and culture.”
Hirankrit was also the same designer who came up with the tuk tuk dress last year. He received THB20,000 award money for his new design, MThai reported.
