Lyshanda Moyos unveils Zimbabwe’s baobab-inspired national costume for Miss Universe

Tafadzwa Zimoyo in BANGKOK, Thailand

Miss Universe Zimbabwe, Lyshanda Moyos, has officially unveiled her national costume for the 2025 Miss Universe pageant.

The costume is a dramatic, flame-kissed masterpiece titled “Born of the Baobab, Forged in Flame.”

Lyshanda’s reveal has instantly ignited excitement among fans, designers and pageant enthusiasts across the world, with many calling it one of Zimbabwe’s most powerful costume concepts to date.

Unveiled in Bangkok ahead of the National Costume Show, the design pays homage to the legendary baobab tree, a symbol of wisdom, resilience and ancestral presence in Zimbabwean culture.

The towering silhouette mirrors the Baobab’s iconic form — rooted, strong, expansive and protective — while representing a woman who shelters, nurtures and carries the stories of her people.

The colour story is bold and purposeful – black for Zimbabwe’s black majority, red for the generational bloodline that binds the nation and orange for fire — the transformative flame that shapes, refines and strengthens.

A striking feature of the costume is the richly textured tail, crafted from sustainably sourced baobab fibres dyed in natural fiery tones.

It symbolises the unbreakable bond between Zimbabwe’s land, its people and their spirit. Every layer, from the bark-inspired textures to the flame motifs, speaks to a nation forged through endurance and rebirth.

Lyshanda, visibly emotional during the unveiling, described the costume as a profound honour.

“This is not just a costume, it is a living story of Zimbabwe. I am carrying my ancestors, my community, and my identity with every step,” she said.

“I want the world to feel our fire, strength and pride.”

As the Miss Universe competition enters its final stretch, the baobab costume positions Zimbabwe as one of the most anticipated presentations on the global stage — a perfect blend of heritage, artistry and national pride.

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