Photos show how the winning gowns from the Miss Universe pageant have changed through the years

The outfits Miss Universe candidates have worn to be crowned queen have evolved.Bettmann/Getty Images/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFPThe fashion of the Miss Universe pageant has evolved since the first competition in 1952.The winners used to be crowned in their swimsuits, but that changed in the '60s. Today, contestants wear sparkly gowns that sometimes include nods to their countries.The 74th annual Miss Universe pageant came to a close in Bangkok, bringing an end to one of the most dramatic seasons of the event to date.Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch was crowned Miss Universe, just weeks after she went head-to-head with a pageant director who yelled at her. She wore a glittering red gown to ascend the throne.Bosch's shimmering dress was par for the course for modern Miss Universe contestants, who typically wear sparkly gowns with eye-catching details. However, contestants have chosen simpler dresses for the pageant in years past, and in its earliest days, Miss Universe was crowned wearing a swimsuit. Take a look back at the outfits contestants have worn to be crowned Miss Universe throughout the pageant's history. Armi Kuusela was crowned the first Miss Universe in 1952.Armi Kuusela in the middle with the rest of her court.Keystone/Getty ImagesWearing a classic bathing suit from the '50s, Armi Kuusela of Finland was crowned the first-ever Miss Universe. Christiane Martel represented France at the 1953 Miss Universe pageant.Miss Universe Christiane Martel sitting on her throne.Hulton/Getty ImagesChristiane Martel accepted her crown in a strapless swimsuit. Miriam Stevenson was the first Miss USA to become Miss Universe.Christianne Martel, 1953 Miss Universe, crowns Miss Universe 1954 Miriam StevensonBettmann/Getty ImagesMiriam Stevenson donned a halter-top swimsuit with crystals when she was crowned. Hillevi Rombin represented Sweden in the 1955 Miss Universe pageant.Bettmann/Getty ImagesLooking closely at Hillevi Rombin's swimsuit top, you'll notice the pearl detail, which perfectly matches the Miss Universe crown and scepter. Gladys Zender of Peru became the first Latin American woman to win Miss Universe in 1957.Leonard McCombe/Getty ImagesThe cascading pearls on Gladys Zender's swimsuit top help draw your eye.Luz Zuluaga, who won in 1958, was the only Colombian to win Miss Universe until 2014.University of Southern California/Getty ImagesLuz Zuluaga's V-neck swimsuit was a welcome change from the sweetheart neckline of past winners. Akiko Kojima was the first Japanese woman to win the Miss Universe competition in 1959.Luz Marina Zuluaga, Miss Universe 1958, crowns Akiko Kojima as Miss Universe 1959Bettmann/Getty ImagesAkiko Kojima's blue one-piece was an unexpected pop of color that stood out against the red coronation robe. Linda Bement was crowned Miss Universe in 1960.Bettmann/Getty ImagesThe one-shoulder chiffon dress made Linda Bement look ready for a ball.Iêda Maria Vargas was the first Brazilian to be crowned Miss Universe in 1963.Bettmann/Getty ImagesIêda Maria Vargas took the crown wearing a sky-blue gown with sewn crystals all over and a chiffon sleeve made to blow in the wind as she walked onstage.Corinna Tsopei of Greece paid tribute to the country's flag with the colors of her winning gown.Miss Universe 1964 Corinna Tsopei posed with the runner-ups of that year.Bettmann/Getty ImagesIn addition to its eye-catching blue color, Corinna Tsopei's gown featured bedazzled frills hanging off her shoulders, which matched the bling of her crown and scepter.Apasra Hongsakula represented Thailand in the 1965 Miss Universe pageant.Apasra Hongsakula sitting on her Miss Universe throne with the rest of her court.Bettmann/Getty ImagesBling is the first word that comes to mind after seeing Apasra Hongsakula's winning gown. Margreta Arvidsson was the second Swedish woman to win the Miss Universe crown in 1966.Rolls Press/Getty ImagesMargreta Arvidsson wore a pink strapless gown to accept her crown. If you look closely, you'll see the hem detail also matches the outline of the scepter. Sylvia Hitchcock represented the US at the 1967 Miss Universe competition.Bettmann/Getty ImagesSylvia Hitchcock's white gown, featuring a one-shoulder strap across her chest, was unexpected but added just the right amount of edge.Martha Vasconcellos chose a blue and silver gown for the Miss Universe pageant in 1968.Bettmann/Getty ImagesThe silver tiers of Martha Vasconcellos' blue dress resembled tinsel. Kerry Anne Wells wore a muted, flowy dress at the 1972 Miss Universe competition.Kerry Anne Wells was announced as the winner by Bob Barker, who served as a host for 20 years.Bettmann/Getty ImagesKerry Anne Wells' dress was made for flowing in the wind as she walked down the stage with her Miss Universe crown on.Margarita Moran chose an elegant, embellished gown at the Miss Universe pageant in 1973.CBS Photo Archive/Getty ImagesMargarita Moran's long gown included a cape-like shoulder detail, a high neckline, and minimal embellishments throughout. Shawn Weatherly stole the show with this beaded gown in 1980.Keystone/Getty ImagesThe beaded stripes on the dress were a great contrast to the crystals hanging from the cuffs. Irene Sáez was pretty in pink at the 1981 Miss Universe pageant.Bettmann/Getty ImagesIrene Sáez wore a pink gown covered in crystals and complete with dramatic flower sleeves.Karen Baldwin was the first Canadian to win the Miss Universe competition in 1982.Bettmann/Getty ImagesUnlike previous winners, Karen Baldwin went for a black gown with a bedazzled bodice detail. Yvonne Ryding's dress at the 1984 Miss Universe pageant looked simple at first glance.Yvonne Ryding right after being crowned Miss Universe 1984Images Press/Getty ImagesYvonne Ryding wore a layered look, donning a white, long-sleeved gown with an overlay and floral embroidery throughout.Deborah Carthy-Deu was the second Miss Puerto Rico to win the Miss Universe competition in 1985.Deborah Carthy Deu holding her Miss Universe 1985 trophy.Images Press/Getty ImagesThe gold stripes of Deborah Carthy-Deu's gown balanced out with the thicker gold sequins running down the front.Angela Visser represented Holland at the 1989 Miss Universe competition.Miss Universe 1989 Angela VisserGeorge Rose/Getty ImagesAngela Visser glowed in this floor-length evening gown made with gold, silver, and white sequined scales. Mona Grudt was the first Norwegian to win the title of Miss Universe in 1990.Miss Universe 1990 Mona GrudtGeorge Rose/Getty ImagesAlthough Mona Grudt chose a classic white gown, the dramatic flare of the skirt made it a statement-worthy piece.Lupita Jones was the first Mexican woman to win the title of Miss Universe in 1991.Miss Universe 1991 Lupita JonesGeorge Rose/Getty ImagesLupita Jones wore a beaded, off-the-shoulder red gown. Dayanara Torres, who was crowned Miss Universe in 1993, wore a white gown with a daring slit.Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara TorresOmar Torres/Getty ImagesThe thigh-high slit of Dayanara Torres' floor-length white gown added an unexpected sexy element. It also had a strapless neckline and a fitted bodice.After winning the 1994 Miss Universe competition, Sushmita Sen went on to pursue a career in Bollywood.Miss Universe 1994 Sushmita Sen being crowned by 1993 winner Dayanara Torres.Romeo Gacad/Getty ImagesWhen she accepted her crown, Sushmita Sen wore a beaded dress with gold floral sleeves. Chelsi Smith was the first Miss USA to be crowned Miss Universe in 15 years.Miss Universe 1995 Chelsi SmithPhilip Littleton/Getty ImagesChelsi Smith looked regal in this sweetheart chiffon gown. The matching scarf and red lipstick completed the look. After winning Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado pursued acting and appeared on various reality competition shows.AFP/Getty ImagesThe silver spikes on Alicia Machado's mint gown gave it an edgy feel.After winning Miss Universe 1997, Brook Lee went on to host TV shows in Asia and the United States.Chris Bernacchi/Getty ImagesThe sparkly halter, beaded waistband, and thigh-high slit design elements of Brook Lee's dress worked together seamlessly. Wendy Fitzwilliam made history at the 1998 Miss Universe pageant as the first contestant to win wearing a bikini in the swimsuit competition.ReutersWhen she was crowned Miss Universe, Wendy Fitzwilliam wore statement earrings and a beaded gown. Mpule Kwelagobe, crowned in 1999, was Botswana's first-ever Miss Universe winner.Miss Universe 1999 Mpule KwelagobeGetty ImagesA simple, flowy skirt made the sparkly off-the-shoulder top of Mpule Kwelagobe's gown stand out. Lara Dutta took the Miss Universe crown in 2000.Miss Universe 2000 Lara Dutta being crowned by 1999 winner Mpule KwelagobeNicholas KammLara Dutta brought the festive vibes with this sparkly red gown.Denise Quiñones won the Miss Universe title in 2001.Denise Quinones being crowned by Miss Universe 2000 Lara DuttaReutersDenise Quiñones' white halter gown, featuring different-colored beads throughout, matched the crystals on the Miss Universe crown.Oxana Fedorova was crowned Miss Universe in 2002.Miss Universe 2002 Justine PasekJose Jimenez/Getty ImagesLike other Miss Universe winners in the past, Fedorova went with a simple white gown for her crowning. Four months after she was crowned Miss Universe, though, Fedorova was dethroned because "she was unable to fulfill her duties," the former president of the Miss Universe Organization, Paula Shugart, said, according to CBS News. The first runner-up, Miss Panama Justine Pasek, was then crowned Miss Universe 2002. Amelia Vega was the first person from the Dominican Republic to win the Miss Universe title in 2003.Miss Universe 2003 Amelia VegaTeresita Chavarria/Getty ImagesAmelia Vega took the traditional white gown a step further with the crystal-embellished sleeves and shoulder straps. Jennifer Hawkins looked like a walking gold statue at the 2004 Miss Universe competition.Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer HawkinsMartin Bernetti/Getty ImagesJennifer Hawkins stunned judges when she appeared onstage in a textured gold dress with flower details everywhere and a sparkling bracelet and necklace to match.Natalie Glebova was only the second Canadian to hold the Miss Universe title.Miss Universe Natalie GlebovaAdress Latif/Getty ImagesFor the 2005 Miss Universe competition, Natalie Glebova rocked a white gown with a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit. Zuleyka Rivera wore one of the most daring gowns of the 2006 Miss Universe competition.Miss Universe Zuleyka RiveraPatrick McMullan/Getty ImagesWith a low-cut top, a high slit in the front, and dazzling beaded work, Zuleyka Rivera had one of the most memorable looks of the 2006 competition.Riyo Mori was the second Japanese woman to be crowned Miss Universe in 2007.Miss Universe Riyo MoriVictor Chavez/Getty ImagesFor her winning gown, Riyo Mori wore a kimono-inspired black and floral evening gown from the Spring/Summer 2007 Gucci collection. Dayana Mendoza was crowned Miss Venezuela 2008 before winning Miss Universe.Miss Universe 2008 Dayana MendozaGaye Gerard/Getty ImagesFor her crowning moment, Dayana Mendoza wore a strapless yellow gown covered in beads. The thigh-high slit and turquoise statement earrings add to the drama of the look. Stefania Fernández's 2009 Miss Universe win was a milestone, as it was the first time a country had won back-to-back crowns.Miss Universe 2009 Stefania FernandezTimothy A. Clary/Getty ImagesUnlike her predecessor, Dayana Mendoza, Stefania Fernandez went with a more extravagant look, wearing a red floor-length gown. After her Miss Universe win in 2010, Ximena Navarrete went on to star in Spanish soap operas.Miss Universe 2010 Ximena NavarreteEthan Miller/Getty ImagesXimena Navarrete accepted her Miss Universe crown wearing a flowy, floor-length red gown. What you can't see under the sash is the one-shoulder strap adorned with red beads and the slit underneath her skirt. Leila Lopes made history as the first woman from Angola to win the Miss Universe pageant in 2011.Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes being crowned by 2010 winner Ximena NavarreteAFP/Getty ImagesLeila Lopes wowed the audience with her sleeveless white gown covered in white, silver, and blue beads and feathers. After being crowned Miss USA, Olivia Culpo went on to win the title of Miss Universe in 2012.Miss Universe 2012 Olivia CulpoMarcel Thomas/Getty ImagesFor her crowning moment, Olivia Culpo wore a red dress with long velvet sleeves and a plunging neckline.When Gabriela Isler was crowned Miss Universe 2013, she made history as the seventh woman from Venezuela to win.Miss Universe 2013 Gabriela IslerAlexander NemenovGabriela Isler stepped onto the stage in a long-sleeved silver gown embellished with crystals and a striped pattern that resembled Jennifer Lopez's 2012 Zuhair Murad dress. Paulina Vega won the title of Miss Universe in 2014.Miss Universe 2014 Paulina VegaLarry Marano/Getty ImagesThe silver beaded and striped details on Paulina Vega's gown made for an elegant look.Pia Wurtzbach was the third woman from the Philippines to win the Miss Universe title in 2015.Miss Universe 2015 Pia WurtzbachEthan Miller/Getty ImagesPia Wurtzbach's royal-blue gown matched the gems on the Miss Universe crown. When Iris Mittenaere won in 2016, she was the first Miss France to do so in 63 years.Miss Universe 2016 Iris MittenaereFOX/Getty ImagesIris Mittenaere took home the Miss Universe crown in a long-sleeve sparkling gold gown with geometric details.Demi Nel-Peters was the second Miss Universe winner from South Africa.Miss Universe 2017 Demi Nel-PetersFrazer Harrison/Getty ImagesDemi Nel-Peters dazzled in this flesh-colored dress stitched with silver crystals in a geometrical pattern. Catriona Gray was crowned Miss Universe in 2018.Miss Universe Catriona GrayLillian Suwanrumpha/Getty ImagesCatriona Gray wore a red dress featuring a plunging, asymmetrical neckline and a thigh-high slit. Zozibini Tunzi represented South Africa at the 2019 Miss Universe competition.Zozibini Tunzi is the first black woman to be crowned Miss Universe since Angola’s Leila Lopes in 2011Paras Griffin/Getty ImagesZozibini Tunzi's silver, gold, and blue sequined evening gown stood out on the Miss Universe stage. The draped sleeves and high neckline balanced out the thigh-high slit and peekabo detail across the chest.Andrea Meza was only the third Miss Mexico to be crowned Miss Universe.Miss Mexico Andrea Meza is crowned Miss Universe 2021.Rodrigo Varela/Getty ImagesLike many others, Andrea Meza wore a sparkly gown when she was crowned Miss Universe.The gown had a high neckline and a dramatic cutout on the bodice, as well as tiers of tassels on the skirt and a removable cape.Harnaaz Sandhu was also the third Miss India to be crowned Miss Universe.Miss Universe / MENAHEM KAHANA / Contributor / Getty ImagesHarnaaz Sandhu's look was one of the most daring dresses a Miss Universe has worn to be crowned.Her floor-length dress had a plunging neckline, offsetting the sparkly, see-through fabric that covered the dress in a geometric pattern. Tassels flowing down the center of the gown completed the look.Putstyle and Saisha Hinde designed Sandhu's gown, and Bharat Gupta was the fashion director for her look.R'Bonney Gabriel was the ninth Miss USA to be crowned Miss Universe.Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel celebrates after winning the 71st Miss Universe competition at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 14, 2023.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty ImagesR'Bonney Gabriel is a Texas-based fashion designer with her own sustainable clothing line.According to the Manila Bulletin, Gabriel's blue dress was designed by Filipino designer Rian Fernandez.Sheynnis Palacios was the first Miss Nicaragua to win Miss Universe in the pageant's history.Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios is crowned Miss Universe in 2023.Camilo Freedman/picture alliance via Getty ImagesSheynnis Palacios was 23 when she was crowned Miss Universe wearing a heavily beaded dress.Nidal Nouaihed designed the dress, which featured a sweetheart neckline and semi-sheer paneling on the bodice.The rest of the dress was completely covered in intricate beading, and a blue cape that honored Nicaragua's flag accented the look, as Nouaihed shared on Instagram.Likewise, Victoria Kjær Theilvig became the first Miss Denmark to be crowned Miss Universe in 2024.Hector Vivas/Getty ImagesVictoria Kjær Theilvig popped in a pink gown when she was named Miss Universe 2024.The dress, which was covered head-to-toe in sparkles, featured off-the-shoulder sleeves made of strands of beads. Coordinating gloves completed her regal look.Fátima Bosch became the fourth Miss Mexico to win Miss Universe in November 2025.Mohan Raj/Getty ImagesBosch, 25, was crowned Miss Universe in a red gown, as the other three Miss Mexicos who had won the top crown had done before her.The form-fitting gown had long sleeves and a high neckline, and it was covered in red sparkles. An intricate pattern of gold adorned the front and cuffs of the sleeves, and a sheer cape flowed out behind her.The look was regal even before Bosch added the Miss Universe tiara to it.Read the original article on Business Insider