Zozibini Tunzi showcases the costume she will wear at Miss Universe 2019
Miss South Africa 2019 Zozibini Tunzi showcased one of her two spectacular pageant outfits that she will be wearing at the Miss Universe pageant in the US, Atlanta, Georgia, on December 8, 2019.
The dress is created by fashion designer Lloyd Kandlin from the Costume Department and is called The Wave of Love.
Tunzi’s costume is decorated in ribbons in the colours of the South African national flag. Each ribbon is inscribed with love letters from South Africans who have pledged their love and support for the women in South Africa and the fight against gender-based violence.
One of these is also the symbolic and meaningful national costume that Tunzi will wear at the Miss Universe contest. The outfit is a representation of her campaign, The UN Women’s #HeforShe initiative.
Tunzi said: “ I am literally taking the people of South Africa with me to Miss Universe; my dress will carry messages that celebrate and honour the women of our country.” Kandlin said the concept for the magnificent rainbow nation-colored outfit came from Tunzi who wanted something different.
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“We came up with the concept of love letters woven into a wave that wraps around her body in a wire harness. “She will walk around with this wave of love.”
Kandlin said Tunzi’s national costume had its own personality and that it had become “an entity of its own”.
“People came into the studio to write their love letters, supporting the fight against gender-based violence. They joined with South Africans everywhere writing their messages of love and support on pieces of fabric. We then attached those torn strips to the garment so that there is an organic, sculptured feel to the outfit.”
The costume, said Lloyd, has a very powerful feel to it.
“I had a Reiki woman come in to bless the costume and she said she could feel that there was so much love that had gone into the creation of it. It’s become a symbol, a message of hope rather than a costume. Tunzi will be floating down that pageant stage carrying the love of a lot of people.”
“It’s not traditional in any sense of the word. But it is what Tunzi wanted. It’s beautiful, it’s powerful. She is going to look stunning in it.”
At the centre of the Wave of Love will be Tunzi, wearing a simple white catsuit, adorned with a black Xhosa stripe and a touch of gold.
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