The Miss Universe 2017 contestant from Australia will be wearing a (very) unique national costume for the pageant. The said contestant took a stand that she will be wearing the gown for a cause.

Miss Universe Australia Caris Tiivel will be donning a gown which was inspired by the controversial Great Barrier Reef for her costume. This has been tagged as questionable because Australia does not have a national costume, Courier Mail said in a report.

She said on The Today Show that in Australia, the costumes garner a mixed reaction from the public. She said, “Australia doesn’t really have a traditional costume so our ones are sort of inspired by landmarks or famous people in Australia.”

Miss Universe 2017 Contestant Wears Controversial Gown

The costume is also said to be the beauty queen’s way to ignite awareness about the coral bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef. This bleaching has been affecting Australia, to the point that the land clearing laws in Queensland’s Parliament have been compromised.

“We wanted to raise awareness about the coral bleaching that’s happening,” the 23-year-old said. “The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure in the world … so it’s important to keep it going for future generations.”

National Costume to Advocate for Great Barrier Reef Awareness

Miss Universe Australia hosted the 2017 Miss Universe Queensland registration event in Brisbane where she talked about the controversial gown. Tiivel’s national costume for Miss Universe 2017 was designed by Steph Audino from Perth. The designer has been dressing up their country’s contests since 2013.

Tiivel also underscored how she sees the dress as stunning, despite its being controversial, Mail Online said.  “I think it’s stunning and I think it really represents the Great Barrier Reef in Australia really well,” she said.

Last year, Miss Universe Australia Monika Radulovic wore a controversial national costume depicting comedienne Dame Edna. Miss Universe Australia 2014 Tegan Martin meanwhile wore a costume inspired by the Aboriginal Dreamtime sunset.

Miss Universe 2017 coronation night will be held in the Philippines. The new Miss Universe 2017 will be replacing reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach from the Philippines.

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Image Source: Facebook/Miss Universe