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Japan's Miss Universe contestant upsets nation with risque kimono

Emiri Miyasaka, Japan's finalist in the Miss Universe contest, has sparked national consternation over her chosen outfit of a black leather mini kimono that exposed her pink underwear.

 
Miss Universe Japan Emiri Miyasaka wears a kimono costume as she meets with fans during a send-off party in Tokyo
Emiri Miyasaka wears a kimono costume as she meets with fans during a send-off party in Tokyo Photo: AFP

Miss Miyasaka, 25, who is due to represent Japan at the beauty pageant in the Bahamas later this month, will now change her outfit to a more modest ensemble following a barrage of criticism.

The controversial costume - recently unveiled on a Tokyo catwalk - resulted in critics bombarding her blog with claims that it was crass, sleazy and an inappropriate representation of Japanese beauty.

While the outfit was loosely based on the national dress in the form of the kimono and obi band, its design clearly consisted of a more extreme modern interpretation.

As well as being fashioned from black leather as opposed to more traditionally subdued kimono fabrics, it was slashed high to reveal the model's fuschia underwear and accessorised with lacy garter belts.

Organisers have confirmed that following the negative reaction to the outfit, the model will now wear a more conservative outfit when she represents the nation during the final rounds of the global beauty pageant.

"We are just surprised by the harsh comments from many people," said a staff member at IBG Japan, the fashion and entertainment company which organises the Japanese leg of the beauty competition.

However, among fans of the outfit was Ines Ligron, director of the Miss Universe Organization, who defended the model's risqué ensemble.

Writing in her blog she said: "The conservative and fashion dinosaurs are criticising her costume, meanwhile the fashionistas love it. I care only about the movers and shakers in the fashion industry."

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