Belarusian contestant at Miss Universe appears in a striped outfit compared to a prison uniform

Belarusian Aliya Korotkaya appeared at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant in Puerto Rico in a black-and-white striped outfit with a small cap. The look was quickly discussed on social media, where it was compared to a zebra, to Beetlejuice's costume and to a prison uniform.

Among the comments were: "Freedom for the zebras in Africa!", "Looks like she just got out of prison", "Miss Correctional Facility". Other users liked the outfit and showered it with compliments.

The outfit for the contestant was devised by her mother, Diana Korotkaya, a designer and the founder of the Belarusian brand Kiali, which appeared in 2025. On Instagram, Aliya wrote that 99% of the looks she presented at the pageant were created by her mother, and that, as she sees it, they will bring luck.

The outfit includes a short crop top, voluminous sleeves and an asymmetric draped skirt. The look is completed with a small cap, long earrings and a small sparkly handbag.

Blogger Adam Zhenato called the outfit incredibly stylish, and the fact that her mother made it even more impressive.

Aliya is 22 years old and was born in Minsk, and, according to her, has worked in the modelling business for ten years. She is 180 centimetres tall. In September 2025 she became first vice-miss at the national Miss Belarus pageant.

She brought about 60 looks to the pageant, not counting swimsuits. One of the outfits weighs about 15 kilograms. The pageant in Puerto Rico is being held for the 75th time, with more than 140 contestants taking part. For Aliya this is her sixth beauty pageant. The winner will be named on 24 November.