Miss Universe Thailand Wears Gown Made Of Pull Tabs As Homage To Trash Collector Parents
"What's considered worthless by many actually possesses its own value and beauty," said the beauty queen who was once dubbed 'Miss Garbage'.
By May Vin Ang — 16 Jan 2023, 12:14 PM
The current Miss Universe Thailand is making headlines for wearing a unique evening gown made out of soda can pull tabs during the Miss Universe 2022's preliminary competition last Wednesday, 11 January
The 24-year-old beauty queen, Anna Sueangam-iam, wowed viewers with her stunning dress, which was made with her inspirational story and sustainability in mind.
According to Miss Universe Thailand, the 'Hidden Precious Diamond Dress' was designed by Thai fashion brand Manirat, and was created using recycled pull tabs from aluminium cans and Swarovski crystals.
Sueangam-iam said the gown was inspired by the familiar surroundings of her childhood
In an Instagram post explaining her background, she wrote, "Growing up with garbage collector parents, my life as a child was among piles of garbage and recyclables."
"This unique gown was purposefully tailored-made with discarded and recycled materials, namely can tabs to present to the universe that what's considered worthless by many actually possesses its own value and beauty."
"Thank you all for seeing it, hearing it, and hopefully [carry on this] message of self-worth."
The Bangkok native said she was often called the "garbage beauty queen" or "Miss Garbage" due to her impoverished childhood
Although the title went to Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel today, 16 January, Sueangam-iam was no less competition to become a Miss Universe crown holder.
"You must not get stuck with murky surroundings you were born into, but do believe you have the power to change your own life for the better," she said.
