Every year the Miss Universe competition delivers some wonderful or wacky outfits for the national costume portion of the pageant.
In recent times Thailand has paid tribute to tuk tuks, China has come dressed as a Chien Dynasty vase, and Vietnam has presented as a fishing basket, while Australia's costumes have been modelled on the Great Barrier Reef, the cockatoo, and this year, fireworks over the Sydney Opera House.
Rarely has a country opted for a culinary inspiration. But Malaysia's Miss Universe contestant for 2017, 22-year-old , has just unveiled her national costume and it pays tribute to their , nasi lemak.
The dress recreates the dish's coconut milk rice, spicy sambal, cucumber slices, boiled egg, fried anchovies, and roasted peanuts.
The costume even features the banana leaves that the meal often comes wrapped in.
The dish may be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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Nasi lemak
James, who is of Chinese-Brazillian descent, says it is her favourite food, but admits she has recently been opting for a salad version of the dish since the "competition is close".
She appeared at a media preview on Tuesday where she showed off the creation, which took fashion designer Brian Khoo a month to make.
"My team and I wanted to give James something unique and iconic to wear at this year's competition," Khoo told the .
"Nasi lemak is a dish that can only be found in Malaysia and it is a food that can be enjoyed by all.
"We felt it would make the perfect costume to depict the uniqueness of Malaysia."
The Malaysian designer has been sharing details of the gown on his , including the hand-sewing of 30,000 rice-like beads.
Malaysia has never won a Miss Universe title, but perhaps this outfit will help win over the judges.
More on Malaysian food
Poh's nasi lemak
