Introduction: A Symbolic Entry for Palestine
Miss Grand International 2025 features a poignant moment from Miss Grand Palestine, Yara Bishi, who chose a national costume that speaks as loudly as any speech. The ensemble, nicknamed the “Dove of Peace,” is a carefully crafted narrative in fabric, embroidery, and modern technology. Designed by Palestinian fashion talents Lauren Imseeh and Edmon Imseeh, with collaboration from Hisham Anabtawi, the outfit aims to transform cultural heritage into a powerful voice of identity, resilience, and hope on the global stage.
Foundational Color and Meaning
Yara explained on Instagram that the base color of the dress is white, chosen to symbolize the peace Palestinians have long yearned for but have not yet secured. The white serves as a canvas for deeper meanings carried by traditional craft and symbolic motifs, ensuring the costume is as much a statement as it is a garment.
Tatreez: Embroidery as National Narrative
The outfit prominently features tatreez, the cherished Palestinian embroidery tradition. Motifs were inspired by patterns gathered from multiple Palestinian cities, weaving together regional variations into a single, cohesive visual language. The embroidery acts as a wearable map of cultural memory, turning each stitch into a thread of national identity that resonates with spectators around the world.
Central Motif: The 3D-Printed Pigeon and Olive Branches
A defining element is the 3D-printed pigeon, placed at the heart of the costume. The pigeon is a universal symbol of peace, yet its placement and construction in the Dove of Peace dress ground that symbol in a Palestinian context—representing peace, resistance, and resilience. Flanking the pigeon are black olive branches, which carry layered meaning: they signify the land’s rootedness and the endurance of its people, while also acknowledging the “dark grief of the present moment” that Palestinians carry through generations.
The Cape and the Message of Strength
The dramatic long cape completes the silhouette, its fabric and cut designed to convey strength and dignity. Inscribed along the cape is a direct, hopeful message: Pray for peace. This line reinforces the idea that fashion, at its best, can carry a plea for global empathy and support, not just aesthetic appeal.
Craft, Community, and Local Production
One of the most compelling aspects of Yara’s Dove of Peace is the emphasis on local production. Yara highlighted that every detail of the dress was designed and produced within Palestine. The collaboration between designers and artisans showcases the country’s creative capacity and resilience, using fashion to tell a story of identity that is both personal and national.
Broader Context: A Contrast with the Philippines’ Mayari-Inspired Theme
As Yara’s message centers on peace, the pageant also celebrates diversity through other contestants. For instance, Emma Tiglao of the Philippines presented a national costume inspired by Mayari, the Kapampangan goddess of the moon. The juxtaposition of these two visions—Palestine’s Dove of Peace and the Philippines’ Mayari—highlights how Miss Grand International 2025 becomes a global stage for cultural storytelling and artistic interpretation.
Conclusion: A Voice That Extends Beyond the Runway
Yara Bishi’s Dove of Peace is more than a stunning costume; it is a statement about identity, resilience, and hope that travels beyond borders. By integrating traditional tatreez with modern 3D-printed elements and a powerful text, the outfit invites viewers to consider the human dimension of conflict and the universal desire for peace. In a competition that blends fashion, culture, and advocacy, Yara’s look stands as a reminder that style can be a catalyst for dialogue and change.
