Miss Singapore blooms

		The outfit was designed by second-year fashion student Zhang Xiaoqing. -- ST PHOTO: ASHLEIGH SIM

THE verdict is out.

Miss Singapore Rachel Kum will be bearing some major flower power at the Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas this month. She will wear a dark pink silk- satin and chiffon gown which has a giant Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore's national flower, attached to the back.

Designed by second-year fashion student Zhang Xiaoqing, the outfit was one of 10 designs put forward by students of Raffles Design Institute in a national costume competition.

For the first time in a Miss Singapore Universe contest, the choice of the costume was put to an online vote on national service portal www.ns.sg.

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