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12 of the most gorgeous Miss Universe dresses of all time

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This morning we awoke to the fantastic news of our very own Miss SA, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters being crowned Miss Universe.

She's the second Miss Universe winner from South Africa, following Margaret Gardiner who won the title in 1978 (South Africa didn't compete in the pageant between 1985 and 1994), and she's made South Africans beam with pride.

Ever since 1952, Miss Universe has become well-known as a pageant that not only showcases the beauty and brains of its contestants, but also provides its audience with drop-dead gorgeous gowns. We take a look at the most beautiful ones that spanned over the past 18 years.

Read more: I used to enter beauty pageants. Now I think they should be scrapped

Miss Botswana, Mpule Kwelagobe, Miss Universe 1999

Mpule Kwelagobe donned this off-the-shoulder bodice and we're still gagga over it.

Miss Panama, Justine Pasek, crowned 1st runner up, 2002

She may not have won the crown, but Miss Panama's bridal-esque majestic gown made a strong impression and won over the crowd.

Miss Japan, Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007

It might have been ten years ago, but we could still see this cute dress being rocked in 2017.

Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela showed off a pretty, solid colour with minimal beading. 

Miss Mexico, Jimena Navarrete, Miss Universe 2010

Fiery and fierce, but certainly elegant.

Miss South Africa, Melinda Bam, placed among the top 10 of Miss Universe 2012

This work of art's scaly texture fit Melinda like a glove.

Miss USA, Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012

Probably the biggest wow of that night was Miss USA's princess-like ballgown.

Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013

Miss Venezuela sizzled in this exquisite diamante-adorned gown.

Miss Philippines, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015

Pia could wear a garbage bag and still look as elegant as ever, and in this fishtail-like electric blue gown, she looked like an absolute goddess.

Read more: Miss SA 2017’s Instagram reveals more about her personality than you'd think

Miss Jamaica 2017, Davina Bennett, crowned 2nd runner up, 2017 

We're in awe of this shoulder cape that added a whole new level of oomph to Davina's look.

We also can't help swooning over fellow contestant, Miss Austria's (Celine Schrenk) flower-embellished gown. Goals.

Preliminary Show - I felt like a princess in the dress of @evapoleschinski ?? Swipe to the right ??to see my Bikini walk ????

A post shared by Miss Austria 2017 ?? (@celineschrenk) on

And, of course, we leave the best for last – our very own Miss SA who strutted the ramp with confidence in a chic Anele Botha gown with about 30,000 Swarovski crystals – a dress fit for a goddess.

Images: Getty

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