Miss Thailand’s soda tab dress was talk of the town

Miss Universe contestant Anna Sueangam-iam captured the attention of a global audience last week despite not winning the crown. As Miss Thailand appeared in a unique unusual dress made from soda can tabs, a tribute to her parents who worked as garbage collectors in Bangkok to put her through school.
“This gown was inspired by the familiar surroundings of my childhood,” Anna wrote on Instagram. Anna’s gleaming garment also drew attention to another important issue: the environment and the need to recycle and upcycle materials.
Thailand is striving to evolve into a circular economy, where resources are used carefully and upcycled instead of being thrown away. It has become a guiding principle of national economic policy.
“This unique gown was purposefully tailored-made with discarded and recycled materials, namely the ‘Can Tab’ to present to the UNIVERSE that what is considered worthless by many actually possesses its own value and beauty,” Anna also added.
Anna was the winner of the Social Impact Award, which includes a cash prize that will support her efforts to achieve equal access to education for children from underprivileged backgrounds in Thailand.
“Persistence, tenaciousness and optimism within her have led her to a great success in life,” the Miss Universe Thailand organization wrote about Anna on its webpage. “Although she was called by some as ‘The garbage beauty queen,’ that never stops her from shining bright as a precious gem.”
Photo courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=485015097125085&set=a.360690209557575