{"id":95631,"date":"2015-01-05T08:00:05","date_gmt":"2015-01-05T13:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/?p=95631"},"modified":"2015-01-05T08:04:54","modified_gmt":"2015-01-05T13:04:54","slug":"mbo-statement-on-miss-universe-bahamas-costume","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2015\/01\/mbo-statement-on-miss-universe-bahamas-costume","title":{"rendered":"MBO Statement on Miss Universe Bahamas Costume"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"tomii-culmer-miss-bahamas-sea-goddess-costume\"<\/p>\n

In light of recent remarks that have been circulating on social media and elsewhere regarding the costume to be used by Miss Universe Bahamas Tomii Culmer at the forthcoming Miss Universe pageant, the Miss Bahamas Organization (MBO) wishes to set the record straight as to its decision not to use the Sea Goddess costume designed by Javotte Bethel.<\/p>\n

There are several reasons for this decision. First of all, there are structural issues with Miss Bethel\u2019s costume which would make it very difficult for Miss Culmer to manage in a competitive environment \u2013 specifically, she is unable to get into or out of the costume without considerable help from at least 2 people.<\/p>\n

While one may argue that she would receive such help at the Miss Universe pageant, a greater problem exists in the fact that due to its excessive weight, the costume leaves Miss Culmer visibly bruised each time she wears it. Clearly we cannot have her competing in the Miss Universe pageant (particularly the swimsuit competition) with visible bruises that would result from her wearing the said costume.<\/p>\n

\"victorias-secret-costume\"Another reason MBO decided not to use Miss Bethel\u2019s costume is that we did not wish to run the risk of facing a copyright infringement lawsuit as the Sea Goddess costume closely resembles one of the lead pieces from a Victoria\u2019s Secret fashion show.<\/p>\n

The similarity between the two costumes has already received attention from pageant fans who have questioned whether the design was copied.<\/p>\n

We find it unfortunate and quite frankly dishonest for it to be suggested that MBO does not support Bahamian culture or Bahamian designers when Miss Bethel herself was contracted to create three of the costumes that MBO has sent to Miss Universe over the last 4 years! Miss Bethel created the Flamingo worn by Braneka Bassett in 2010, the Abaco Parrot worn by Anastagia Pierre in 2011, and the independence themed costume worn by Lexi Wilson in 2013.<\/p>\n