Miami.– Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Castillo was the center of a huge controversy at the 63rd Annual Miss Universe pageant being held in Miami, because her costume, in honor of the Virgen de la Altagracia, was considered disrespectful by many.
However, others considered that Castillo couldn’t be more elegant representing her country in a blue and yellow dress with the portrait of the Virgen de la Altagracia, patroness of the Dominican people.
The costume was made by top designer Leonel Lirio, who took into account that Castillo’s hometown is Higuey, in eastern La Altagracia province, where the Virgin’s sanctuary is located.