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Women from all over the world have dazzled in elaborate gowns during the 'national costume' round of the 71st Miss Universe Competition. 

Almost 90 women took part in the competition at New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Louisiana, paying homage to their countries. 

Miss Great Britain, Noky Simbani wore an elegant white and gown with silver and sapphire diamante detailing and lavish velvet emerald cape with fur trim. The 26-year-old from Derbyshire also wore a small silver crown, which looked like it could have been referencing the late Queen Elizabeth II as she represented Great Britain to the world. 

Elsewhere,  Miss Paraguay, Lia Aymara Duarte Ashmore appeared on stage dressed in a luscious ruby cape and full lion's mask, the animal aligned with the nation, and Miss Italy, Virginia Stablum dressed in full Venetian regalia complete with a Venetian mask. 

Yes, Your Majesty! Miss Great Britain Noky Simbani looked regal on stage during the 71st Miss Universe Competition's national costume round. Noky, from Derbyshire paid homage to the late Queen Elizabeth II in an emerald velvet cape with fur trim and stunning silver crown

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Lady in pink! Miss Laos, Payengxa Lor stunned as she took the stage in an extravagant beaded headdress. Following with textures, Miss Laos' traditional pink dress, was full of pom poms, tassels and even more beads in all shades of pink

Now you see me! Miss Italy, Virginia Stablum took a progressive approach when she stepped out in full male Venetian regalia, complete with a Venetian mask 

In full bloom! Looking to the coast of her country Miss Bulgaria's Kristina Plamenova dressed as a sand lily, which are commonly found along parts of the Bulgarian coast line 

Waffley cute! Paying a rightful tribute to the humble stroopwafel, Miss Netherlands, Ona Moody fashioned it as a tutu. And if that wasn't enough she wore a teapot on her head to compliment  

Working the sass! Toshami Calvin, Miss Jamaica, put on a feisty display as she appeared on stage with stag sword and blowing horn. She was dressed in extravagant emerald green feathers and sequins 

Reclaiming identity! Miss El Salvador, Alexjandra Guajardo Sada appeared on stage dressed as a colón, which was the currency of El Salvador from 1892 until 2001, when it was replaced by the US dollar during the presidency of Francisco Flores

Warrior the water! Laksmi De Neefe Suardana, ICONWIN Miss Indonesia wore a stunning gold embellished leotard and incorporated many aspects into the rest of her outfit - On her shoulders and above her head she wore spectacular golden sea ship, with sails and her hand held a mighty spear 

Golden angel! Walking on stage in a stunning intricate golden sari, Miss India, Divita Rai also added a brilliant pair of shimmering golden angel wings

Fiery and feisty! Miss Colombia, Maria Fernanda Aristizabal (left) wore a magnificent firebird outfit, in shocking shades of yellow, orange and red. Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez (right) stepped out in a golden feathery creation, which could have been referencing the Dominican Republic's national bird - the palmchat 

And while there were some fiery explosions of colour, flames and wings, other women took a subtler approach to their gowns, opting for a more ethereal dialed back tone. 

Miss Iceland, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir, for example, walked on stage in a strapless white gown with a full skirt, detailing illustrations of her country. And Miss Costa Rica, Maria Fernanda Rodriguez Avila walked on stage as sultry, hummingbird in deep blues and greens.

 Miss Cayman Islands, Chloe Powery-Doxey and Miss Haiti, Mideline Phelizor both attempted to incorporate plants and earthly elements into their national dress. 

Elegant and etheral! Miss Iceland, Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir wore a simple white strapless gown with a full skirt and train as she walked on stage. The train however detailed stunning illustrations of her country 

Mother nature! Miss Haiti, Mideline Phelizor walked on stage with her country. As she spread her arms she held out a wonderful green landscape picture of the country. She also wore a stunning headdress of ferns 

Ready for spring! Miss Costa Rica, Maria Fernanda Rodriguez Avila walked on stage as sultry, hummingbird in deep blues and greens. Her navy leotard, fish net tights and platform heels were all adorned in silver sequins.

At one with nature! Miss Belize, Ashley Lightburn (left) not only wore the jungle on her right shoulder, but also the moon on her left. Her leotard was fashioned with a leopards face that ran down into a half skirt. While Miss Cayman Islands, Chloe Powery-Doxey (right) also wore parts of the local horticulture but also paid homage to the islands extensive water activities by dressing in a sea blue leotard with sequins shimmering like the ocean

The European countries decided to add some sparkle and mystique into their gowns at Miss Universe. Miss Germany, Soraya Kohlmann walked on stage with a fake white cat, dressed as a seductive magician.

Miss Finland, Petra Hamalainen, on the other hand, donned a one shoulder floor length, deep green sequin gown, complete with black feather gloves up to her elbows. 

However, Miss France, Floriane Bascou went all out in the nation's colours, in an extravagant outfit that could slot right into Emily in Paris.  

Ornamental! Miss Guatemala, Ivana Batchelor chose an extravagant golden masterpiece for her gown. The intricate detailing featured birds, masks and stairways all in exquisite diamonds and jewels 

Stylish in sequins! Miss Germany, Soraya Kohlmann (left) walked on stage with a fake white cat, dressed in a sequin leotard with over the knee black boots and matching tailored jacket. Miss Finland, Petra Hamalainen (right)  donned a one shoulder floor length, deep green sequin gown, complete with black feather gloves up to her elbows

Emily in Miss Universe Competition! Miss France, Floriane Bascou stepped out in an extravagant feathery number, complete with the Eifel tower on her head 

Perfectly poised! Miss Canada, Amelia Tu put on a beautiful ballet display, when she entered the stage in her ruby red tutu and crown

Patriotic! Mouketey Lynette Monalisa Jellym Miss Cameroon, incorporated many elements of her nation into her outfit. She wore a basket on her back, highlighting that there is still work to be done to achieve equality for women in the country 

 Feathers were also popular at the event in New Orleans; Miss Nigeria, Hannah Iribhogbe walked on stage dressed as a white bird and holding red sculpture of a traditional face.

Miss Argentina, Barbara Cabrera also dressed in white features, with huge plumes coming out of her head dress, while Miss Kyrgyzstan, Altynai Botoyarova wore a floor length white gown for the competition, which was full of tulle ruffles and a delicate feather design from the bodice down to the skirt. 

Where some of the women wore white, a symbol of peace, other's used the competition to voice political concerns. 

Not only did Miss Paraguay, Lia Aymara Duarte Ashmore wear a lion's head for the competition but her outfit also featured the sign 'Paz Y Justicia', which is a Human Rights Non Governmental Organisation in Latin America. 

Miss Armenia, Kristina Ayanian walked on stage in a regal crimson cape and gown, adorned with jewels. She also held a matching shield and in her right hand held a sign saying 'Armenia for the right to live' referencing recent disputes in the country over ownership of land 

A mermaid's tale! Miss Brazil, Mia Mamede stepped on stage as a blue and purple mermaid. She also wore a pearl on her head and a shell cape that she could wear up or down

Waving the white flag! Miss Japan, Marybelen Sakamoto wore a long white dress with gold and silver shards around the skirt when she stepped out at the national costume round of the competition 

Hear me roar! Not only did Miss Paraguay, Lia Aymara Duarte Ashmore wear a lion's head for the competition but her outfit also featured the sign 'Paz Y Justicia', which is a Human Rights Non Governmental Organisation in Latin America

Traditional! Miss Korea, Hannah Kim wore a traditional hanbok dress, in an array of peach, pink, red and lavender shades. The bodice was a silky burnt orange

Sparkles galore! Miss Nicaragua, Norma Huembes wore a purple jump suit covered from head-to-toe in sequins and beads. Her elaborate cape and train was in the same style and her headdress featured Nicaragua's national flower the sacuanjoche

Full of feathers! Miss Nigeria, Hannah Iribhogbe (left) walked on stage dressed as a white bird and holding red sculpture of a traditional face. Miss Argentina, Barbara Cabrera (right) also dressed in white features, with huge plumes coming out of her head dress

Looking all white! Miss Kyrgyzstan, Altynai Botoyarova wore a floor length white gown for the competition, which was full of tulle ruffles and a delicate feather design from the bodice down to the skirt 

Fighting for rights! Miss Armenia, Kristina Ayanian walked on stage in a regal crimson cape and gown, adorned with jewels. She also held a matching shield and in her right hand held a sign saying 'Armenia for the right to live' referencing recent disputes in the country over ownership of land

Going all out! Miss Ghana, Engracia Mofuman wore a golden gown, with a jeweled bodice and on the skirt illustrations of the people of Ghana

A Greek goddess! Surprisingly it isn't the large peacock on Miss Greece, Korina Emmanouilidou's shoulder that you first notice when you see her outfit. But her bodice appears to be a light with flames or power 

A display of colour! Miss Aruba, Kiara Arends (left) wore a huge golden sun hat. She opted for a skimpy bikini top decorated with star fish and a bright neon ruffled skirt. Miss Mexico, Irma Cristina Miranda Valenzuela (right) while wearing a mainly black dress coat and sombrero spiced her outfit with many colourful roses embroidered on the back of her dress on the rim of the hat

Precious in pastels: Miss Australia, Monique Riley walked out in a strapless floor length chiffon gown, in an array of cute pastel shades - including blue, green, pink and yellow

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