KUALA LUMPUR: Sandra Lim, the reigning Miss Universe Malaysia 2024, is set to don a costume inspired by the legend of Pahang warrior princess Puteri Walinong Sari at the 73rd Miss Universe competition in Mexico City next month.
The outfit, which will be featured in the national costume category, was derived from the figure from Pahang folklore known for her beauty and combat skills.
In the legend, Puteri Walinong Sari refused to settle down and marry simply for tradition, choosing instead to focus on honing her martial arts skills and protecting her kingdom.
Lim, who is a model, actor and involved in martial arts, said the princess symbolises resilience and beauty.
"Princess Walinong Sari symbolises resilience and beauty, and I hope to bring those qualities to the Miss Universe stage, proudly representing the strength of Malaysian women while showcasing Malaysia's diverse heritage."
"Through this costume, I want to show the world that a woman can be both fierce and graceful," Lim said.
The Puteri Walinong Sari national costume as well as an evening gown Lim will wear at the competition, were unveiled at a press conference at the MYEG Tower Auditorium in Petaling Jaya today.
Lim however will need all her strength to wear the national costume.
Crafted by Malaysian designer Ezuwan Ismail, the costume weighs around 30 kg and measures about 1.77 metres tall.
The costume, which uses locally-sourced Malaysian fabrics such as 'songket', also features 'sulam tebuk' embroidery. Its key accessories include a headgear and a sword.
The costume creation took several weeks, involving a dedicated team of 10 skilled artisans who worked on various aspects, from weaving the intricate 'songket' fabric to handcrafting the 'sulam tebuk' embroidery.
The costume will also feature a special on-stage reveal where Lim will unveil a hidden element that symbolises the transformation from princess to warrior, showcasing the balance between beauty and strength.
Ezuwan said one of the biggest challenges was sourcing authentic traditional materials while staying true to Malaysian heritage.
He said balancing these elements with modern design and ensuring stage functionality required precision and dedication.
"Despite these challenges, I'm thrilled with the outcome. Bringing Princess Walinong Sari to life is an honour, and I hope Sandra's performance on the global stage will showcase Malaysia's heritage beautifully," he said.
In addition to the national costume, Lim will don an evening gown, also designed by Ezuwan.