Ukrainian Wins Best National Attire Contest in UAE
During the Dubai World Cup 2024 horse racing event held in Dubai, UAE, Ukrainian Anna Bondar emerged as the winner in the "best traditional attire" category at the annual Style Stakes competition. This competition, which is an integral part of the World Cup, showcases participants' finest clothing and most original hats, as reported by the local publication The National UAE.
The Dubai World Cup is not just about horse racing; it's also one of Dubai's major fashion events, attended by celebrities, influencers, and members of the royal family. Women often don elegant dresses paired with sophisticated hats, while men attend in impeccable suits and headwear.
Within the World Cup framework, the Style Stakes competition offers prizes up to 50,000 euros in various categories such as "best female attire," "best male attire," "best couple's attire," "most creative hat," and "best traditional/national attire," among others.
Anna Bondar participated in three categories: "best traditional attire," "best hat," and "best overall look," winning in the "traditional attire" category.
"Last year, my husband and I attended the Dubai World Cup, and I wore a yellow-blue dress in our national colours with a wreath. People were already asking me if I was participating in the competition that year. Unfortunately, I didn't know about it then. But when I found out, it was too late to register. So, I decided to prepare in advance and come this year," Anna Bondar shares.
For this year's competition, the Ukrainian purchased a vibrant yellow-blue dress, a wreath, a wheat bouquet, earrings with ears of wheat, and a ceramic ring in the shape of a white dove, all ordered from Ukrainian manufacturers and craftsmen. Thus, Anna Bondar's outfit was not only Ukrainian in essence but also in the origin of her items.
"I think everything turned out well; the outfit was very noticeable. Even from afar, everyone could see that I was representing Ukraine. Many people approached me, expressing support for our country, taking photos, and posting them on social media," noted the winner.
Anna Bondar also emphasized that her mission was to remind the world about Ukraine at a major event attended by over 40,000 people from different countries and to showcase Ukrainian cultural heritage.