DUBAI: Nadeen Ayoub, the first Palestinian to compete in Miss Universe, took to the stage on Wednesday during the national costume segment, to pay homage to her country in an ivory gown that blended tatreez embroidery with symbology laden with heritage and meaning.
On Instagram, Ayoub shared that stepping onto the stage in a gown “that carries generations within it” was one of the most meaningful moments of her life.
The look included a shatweh-inspired crown, an olive-tree motif symbolizing peace and belonging, and a small key reminding her of home.
Draped over her shoulders, a hand-painted cape paid homage to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, a deliberate nod to coexistence.
“This wasn’t just a costume for me. It was my heritage, my voice, and my heart,” she wrote.
“Every stitch came from the art of tatreez, the stories, hands, and resilience of Palestinian women,” she added.
