Miss Greece Doukissa Nomikou introduces herself, in her national costume, during a Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City May 20, 2007. Daniel Aguilar/Reuters ...

At Miss Universe 2024, it was all those things — and much more — as the annual pageant kicked off with its flamboyant national costume competition Thursday evening.

All inspired national costumes on display at the 2023 Miss Universe pageant ... Miss Greece's draped ensemble — drawing from the clothes worn by ancient high priestesses — came with a ...