What Ireen Navicha’s World Designer Award dress symbolises

Many people have been asking what Ireen Navicha’s World Designer Award outfit represents.

The design, titled “Rooted in Purpose,” draws inspiration from Malawi’s rich land, growth and renewal.

The green represents Malawi’s fertile land, growth and renewal, while the gold reflects the strength, worth and limitless potential of a woman who rises from her roots.

Navicha has suffered another setback in her quest to break into the coveted Top 40 at the global pageant after missing out on the World Fashion Designer Award for Africa.

The award slipped through Navicha’s hands on Thursday, with Mauritius’ Shreeya Bokhoree taking the African prize after turning heads with a traditional outfit celebrating her country’s culture and heritage.

Navicha’s dress

Bokhoree emerged victorious during the “Soul of Heritage” fashion show at the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest XVII, where contestants from across Africa used fashion to tell stories about their nations.

Each contestant stepped onto the showcase platform in attire designed to capture the identity, traditions and cultural richness of their respective countries.

For Navicha, the loss is another missed chance to collect recognition through one of the competition’s challenge platforms, points that could prove important as she battles for a place among the final Top 40.

But the door is far from closed.

Navicha still has more opportunities to make her mark, with the Top Model Part 2, “The Green World”, scheduled for August 28, followed by the Dances of the World/Cultural Showcase on September 2.

The battle will culminate in the grand final on September 5, 2026.