Miss Universe contestants show off their vibrant and outlandish costumes as they kick off the competition

The Miss Universe pageant is back for 2024 and the costumes are as dazzling and outlandish as ever. Pictured: Miss Venezuela Miss Great Britain, Christina Dela Cruz, dressed up in a leaf-adorned jumpsuit with a huge gold crown to represent the UK's 121 million oak trees 127 pageant queens took to the stage in glitzy ensembles includingJapan 's Kaya Chakrabortty who wore a bedazzled kimono and roller skates Nature was the inspiration for many of the costumes including Miss Guatemala's beaded leaf number and Miss Argentina who wore sparkling toucan atop her head in a rainforest display Miss Ecuador, Tema Mara's larger-than-life costume featured a model of her homeland's capital Quito's historic churches balanced across her shoulders Miss Netherlands, Faith Landman stunned onlookers as her blue-and-white gown transformed to look like an enormous piece of pottery as a nod to the traditional Dutch craft Taking a unique approach, Miss Chile, Emilia Dides represented one of her country's favourite game shows Sábado Gigante by wearing the program's roulette wheel Similarly, Miss Guatemala, Ana Gabriela Villanueva, had palm and fern leaves exploding from her silhouette as she wore a sequined one-piece which paid homage to her country's indigenous women and children. Miss Bolivia, Juliana Barrientos, adorned a stunning skirt and headdress in the shape of an owl Miss Jamaica, Rachel Silvera, adorned a magnificent ruffled dress paying homage to the flag of her home nation Miss Switzerland channeled a look reminiscent of Disney's Frozen as she adorned a sparkling corset with a ruffled skirt and gem-encrusted sleeves Miss Sri Lanka Melloney Dassanayake adorned a stunning feature engraved with traditional markings Miss France, Indira Ampiot, donned a stunning diamante corset and a full silk skirt in the colours of the flag Rhea Singha representing India made a statement dressed as a giant golden bird with outstretched wings Miss Trinidad and Tobago Jenelle Thongs was given the Miss Congeniality award given to the contestant who has the most friendly, approachable and kind personality Miss Cuba Marianela Ancheta and Miss Peru Tatiana Calmell looked like golden goddesses as they took to the stage One of the more outlandish costumes of the night was worn by Miss Czech Republic Marie Danci who wore an outrageous gown inspired by the tradition of gingerbread making Miss Bolivia, Juliana Barrientos, adorned a stunning skirt and headdress in the shape of an owl and Miss Jamaica, Rachel Silvera, adorned a magnificent ruffled dress paying homage to the flag of her home nation. Miss Dominican Republic Celinee Santos, who is among one of the favourites to win the competition, wowed the crowd in a pearly sea-shell style getup Ashley Callingbull is the first Indigenous woman to be crowned Miss Universe Canada and proudly wore a spectacular multi-colour full gown as a tribute to her heritage Miss Spain Michelle Jimenez was all smiles are she strutted her stuffed in a rose-covered flamenco style dress Miss Nicaragua, Geyssell García, came dressed as her country’s famous León Cathedral decorated with peacock feathers Looking every bit the fairy princess, Jennifer Colón Alvarado represented Puerto Rico in an enchanting white gown with her home country's flag Miss U.S. Virgin Islands Stephany Andujar was a splash of blue depicting Atabey, the goddess of fertility Appearing predictably patriotic to an over-the-top degree, Miss USA Alma Cooper dressed up as American figure Uncle Sam with a Fourth-of-July-style firework display Denmark's Victoria Kjaer Theilvig was a Viking goddess: 'This costume tells the story of those remarkable figures - women who navigated the seas, led their clans, and celebrated the beauty of life through their courage' she said on Instagram After the national costume round, the ladies stripped off their lavish costumes to walk the runway in co-ordinated swimwear outfits From there, the 30 finalists will be whittled down to just 12 pageant queens and they will compete in the evening gown and question-and-answer rounds This year's judges include social media star Lele Pons, 1978 Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner and Colombian singer Fariana Telemundo Appearing predictably patriotic to an over-the-top degree, Miss USA, Alma Cooper, dressed up as American figure Uncle Sam with a Fourth-of-July-style firework display. The remaining judges are Telemundo, host Jéssica Carrillo, music producer Emilio Estefan, Brazilian artist Romero Britto, fashion icon Eva Cavalli, and designer Michael Cinco Host and former Miss Universe winner Olivia Cuplo will end the night by announcing who will be crowned this year's winner by reigning 2023 winner Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua The 2024 crown, named 'Lumiere De L'Infini', has been described by president and founder of Miss Universe Raul Rocha as 'the most beautiful in the history of Miss Universe' Designed and handmade by Filipino jeweller, Jewelmer, the winner's crown features 23 rare golden pearls, the national gem of the Philippines Seven nations have made their return to the competition including Cuba who was last represented in 1967 and Fiji in 1981 Panama contestant, Italy Mora, was unfortunately disqualified just days ago after she allegedly broke the pageant's strict rules by leaving her hotel to visit her boyfriend without permission Designed and handmade by Filipino jeweller, Jewelmer, it features 23 rare golden pearls, the national gem of the Philippines.