SOMETHING'S fishy about the newly-crowned Miss Singapore Universe's national costume.

That seems to be the general consensus on the Merlion-inspired gown that Ms Shenise Wong, 26, will be wearing to the Miss Universe grand finals in Vietnam next month.

Designed by 18-year-old Muhammed Hafiz Tahir, a fashion student from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, the dress features "scales" made from PVC, plastic crystals and a puffy organza tail.

A tall and elaborate hairdo, which is decorated with scallop shells, completes the ensemble.

The costume has raised a flurry of mostly unfavourable comments on local online forums HardwareZone and Stomp.

Many highlighted the costume's atypical look and the odd choice of using the Merlion as a source of inspiration. HardwareZone member Nitrile called the dress "super unflattering... (and) it doesn't even highlight a woman's curves".

However, Stomper BuckteethLCL said: "Hafiz is a young and aspiring designer. Let's give him a chance to express his ideas through this national costume."

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