This Is Miss Universe S’pore 2025’s SG60-Inspired National Costume

With less than a month to go before the Miss Universe competition in Bangkok, Miss Universe Singapore 2025 Annika Xue Sager has revealed her national costume and it’s quite the showstopper.

The 25-year-old master’s student will represent Singapore on the global stage wearing a striking red two-piece ensemble designed by local fashion designer Josiah Chua.

Specially created to commemorate SG60, the look celebrates Singapore’s rich cultural heritage. 

The costume features a draped, sequinned bodice paired with a voluminous skirt crafted from textiles representing Singapore’s Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian communities.

“Every layer honors connection, resilience, and inclusivity — the collective spirit that defines Singapore,” the Miss Universe Singapore organisers shared on Instagram.

For Josiah, the piece is about more than visual spectacle.

“Singapore’s story has always been one of transformation. I wanted to capture that energy, how our differences come together to create something powerful, progressive, and beautiful. The costume is not just about heritage, it is about evolution,” he said.

Annika will don the ensemble for the national costume segment of the Miss Universe pageant on November 21. She will also wear an evening gown by Digio Bridal, inspired by Singapore’s identity as the Garden City.   

For Annika, whose mother is Singaporean Chinese and father is German, the national costume holds a special meaning.

Her mum is a quilter and she grew up surrounded by fabric, colour, and creativity.

“Watching her piece together fragments into something beautiful and whole. In many ways, this costume feels like a reflection of that same spirit: stitching together our diverse cultures into one shared identity,” said the fitness instructor and model on Instagram.

Online reactions to the bold ensemble have been mixed.

Many netizens praised the look as “stunning” and a “beautiful blend of cultures”. Others, however, were less impressed.

“Looks frumpy... Like some grandma’s curtains were draped on her,” wrote one user.

Another remarked: “And the Miss Singapore Universe legacy continues. Drapey, tacky, and unfinished looking [national costumes] to showcase Singapore on the world stage. Just stop sending SG reps if you can't showcase the country properly.”

A third said: "No headpiece. The look is beautiful but truly looks unfinished and is not eye-catching like [Miss Universe Singapore 2020] Bernadette [Ong’s] Stop Asian Hate costume.”