"Miss Universe Ukraine" 2023, Angelina Usanova, will represent Ukraine at the Miss Eco International 2024 beauty pageant, which will take place in Egypt. The main goal of the competition is to promote the importance of caring for the planet and ecology. The winner of the competition will become the UN Ambassador for Ecology and the Environment.
"Phoenix" - the national costume of Angelina Usanova for the Miss Eco International 2024 contest. The mythical creature symbolizes Ukraine, which is under daily shelling but continues to live, rebuild destroyed cities, love, create, and give birth to children. The phoenix is a symbol of immortality.
The dress is entirely made from recycled materials. The majority of the materials were provided by the team of the NGO "Ukraine Without Waste," whose activity is aimed at promoting the culture of sorting household waste in Ukraine. In total, over 1500 plastic spoons and more than 500 plastic knives were used for the costume. Used plastic utensils were used for the wings, headpiece, and corset.
The headpiece is created from pieces of plastic and plastic knives. Large feathers were cut from plastic sheets to form the base of the headpiece, after which they were textured and shaped using heat.
The skirt is also recycled. At first glance, it appears to be made of expensive fabric, but in reality, it is made from used curtains. Designers spent over three weeks searching through second-hand stores for curtains and tulle in various shades of blue and gold, from which they then crafted genuine couture. They intentionally left parts of the material where the eyelets were attached, so it would be evident that these were ordinary curtains and drapes.
Her eco-costume is called "World on Fire." Like the national costume, it is made from recycled materials and highlights one of the world's environmental issues. To choose the theme of the costume, designers consulted with Ukrainian experts in this field and decided that the attire should address the topic of burnt territories.
Due to Russia's full-scale invasion, Eastern Ukraine is suffering from fires caused by missile and artillery shelling, drone attacks from the aggressor country. The grim statistics assert that 2.4 million hectares have been damaged by fire, destroying forests, soils, and national parks. This is equivalent to 75% of the area of Belgium.
Angelina Usanova's eco-costume also illustrates the problem of forest fires worldwide. Just last year, forest fires led to massive destruction, loss of forests, carbon emissions, and the deaths and injuries of people.
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The skirt "World on Fire," like the national costume, is made from curtains and tulle made of organza and taffeta, printed with a print depicting fire. The headdress also consists of torches and resembles flames that ignite. The stones are taken from recycled dresses.
Creating the eco-costume was more challenging than the national one, as it is a transformer costume. It conceals more than 5 meters of printed fabric, which should create the effect of erupting streams of volcanic lava when stepping onto the stage.
"We have very powerful both images, very high-quality costumes. I believe that Angelina Usanova will be able to bring us victory and become the UN Ambassador for Ecology and the Environment," adds Lesya Patoka.
"For me, as a Ukrainian, participating in the Miss Eco International competition is an important tool in attracting even more attention to helping the Ukrainian land. My main dream and mission are peace, protecting the planet, and ecology. This is a very exciting and responsible moment," shares her impressions Angelina Usanova.
