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Miss South Africa Liesl Laurie should enter the Miss World stage to the song ‘Who’s That Girl?’ because South Africans will struggle to identify her from her “national” outfit.

The beauty queen who is leaving for China this week, recently revealed her R100,000 garment which she will be showcasing at the Miss World contest next month in China.

Self-appointed fashion critics might be relieved that there are no ostrich feathers, tribal necklaces or image of Nelson Mandela on the bodice. But others will be disappointed that the dress has no trace at all of South Africa on it.

Made from copper, gold and leather, the dress represents South Africa’s mineral resources.

Laurie will be wearing gowns created by Bloemfontein-designer Casper Bosman, who also designed some costumes last year for her predecessor Rolene Strauss.

Bosman says of his creations: “My theme for Liesl’s Miss World collection is South African Goddess. All the pieces my team and I have created have an underlying fantasy element to them. We’ve played with a lot of feminine tones for all the main looks for the pageant, including the national costume, top model gown, designer of the world gown and Christmas evening gown.”

He said he designs differently for a pageant: “It’s important to create a show- stopping look with a unique flair. A pageant dress does not need to be practical; it is about creating the perfect silhouette and shape on stage.”

Bosman revealed that Laurie’s national costume would be one of the most expensive ever seen on stage as he used gold and copper in its design.

“It’s been a very daunting and exciting process to create this amazing piece of art with the talented team at Jack Friedman Jewellers who designed the Miss South Africa Palesa crown. It’s definitely the first time that a jewellery designer and fashion designer have collaborated on a project like this. Making a national costume for an international pageant is a very challenging task.

“It has to not only reflect our country’s diversity but also needs to reflect the country’s unique background and traditions. In essence it has to mirror and reflect what a true South African represents.”

Wearing the garment on Tuesday, Laurie epitomised fierceness. She said she felt “like a goddess” in the ensemble.

“It’s very elaborate. We want to have people talking about it and looking at it for a very long time,” she said.

Liesl believes she is fully prepared for the pageant.

“My preparations started when I was crowned Miss South Africa and I know that I’m ready for the international stage. I feel confident and ready to take on whatever lies ahead. I’ve faith that in my 30 days in Sanya, China I’ll show the world the beauty of our special country. We are the country of love and ubuntu and I plan to showcase this every day.”

Last year, the SA representative, Rolene Strauss ruffled feathers, literally and figuratively, when she donned a gold and purple ostrich-feather headpiece as part of her national costume. But she went on to win the Miss World crown so the current Miss South Africa should welcome criticism as good karma.

Commenting on the dress, SA stylist Filipe Mazibuko said: “It’s very modern but looks like a 1920s can-can dress. It’s cool to use the national minerals, but when I looked at it I thought of The Great Gatsby.

“Last year, the national dress had tribal aesthetics that were very recognisable. For me it’s a yes in terms of modernity and a nay in terms of cultural reference to who Miss South Africa is.”

Laurie’s official Miss World gift is a piece of Robben Island fence where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated with a framed picture of Madiba by artist Marc Alexander. – TimesLive/DailySun/Showbiz Reporter.