item details
Miss Universe, Inc; commissioner; 1983; United States
Overview
This diamante and metal crown, which features a stylised female figure holding a sceptre, was awarded to Miss New Zealand, Lorraine Downes at the Miss Universe pageant in July, 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri. This style of crown was used by Miss Universe, Inc from the late 1960s until 2001.
On the evening of 11 July, 1983 Lorraine Downes was crowned Miss Universe by the out-going title holder, Karen Baldwin. The crown dangerously teetered on the young beauty queen’s head when she was mobbed by well wishers at the end of the pageant.
The crown, along with the Miss Universe sash, were both considered ‘essential to the proper performance’ of the beauty queen's Miss Universe duties. While the sash was to be worn on all occasions, the crown was reserved for ‘personal appearances and occasions of ‘full dress’’.
To date Lorraines Downes was the first, and only, Miss New Zealand to ever win Miss Universe.