Keep calm and carry on: Miss SA Lalela Mswane’s sustainable pageant wardrobe

Miss SA Lalela Mswane may be embroiled in a moral debate on competing in the Miss Universe pageant in Israel next month, but her views on ethical – or sustainable fashion — are firm.

The 24-year-old LLB graduate is preparing for her role in Eilat, Israel for the pageant which takes place on 12 December 2021.

MISS SA LALELA MSWANE, SUSTAINABLE FASHION AND MISS UNIVERSE

The Miss Universe competition has revealed that all 70 contestants from around the world will be promoting sustainable fashion – a must for the pageant – in their own unique way.

From borrowing mom’s vintage dresses to working with local entrepreneurs to clever thrift shopping tips, it’s all about advocating for being ecologically and socially responsible.

ALSO READ: Shoppers beware: The environmental cost of fast fashion

And for our very own Miss SA, Lalela Mswane, it’s about making the right decision when it comes to her pageant wardrobe.

Appearing in a promotional video for Miss Universe, the model and ballerina revealed her best sustainable fashion recommendation. She said: “One tip I have for combating fast fashion, especially in the pageant community is to recycle and upcycle”.

In the clip, Lalela can be seen wearing two dresses previously worn by former Miss SA and Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi.

In another video posted on Miss SA’s Instagram page, the beauty queen also wears a dress worn by former Miss SA runner-up and Miss Supranational Thato Mosehle.

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A post shared by Miss South Africa (@official_misssa)

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A post shared by Thato Thelma Mosehle (@thato_mosehle)

ALSO READ: Stella McCartney launches sustainable capsule collection with Adidas

MISS SA MUM ON MISS UNIVERSE PLANS

Meanwhile, Miss SA organisers have remained silent on their plans to embark for the Miss Universe pageant, which takes place in less than a month.

Lalela Mswane has also yet to reveal her national costume.

According to eNCA, Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil has yet to comment on the storm surrounding Lalela’s participation, but says she will “do so in time”.