Miss South Africa Melinda Bam's national costume, which she'll wear at the Miss Universe competition in December, has sparked a major fashion debate!

With Miss Universe just weeks away now, Bam unveiled the dresses she’ll be wearing at the contest and the national costume has left seasoned designers in shock.

According to CityPress, legendary designer Marianne Fassler reacted by saying: “I know beauty when I see it, but all I see here is some very shiny gladiator-ninja-avatar character desperate to be noticed ...” While David Tlale’s first reaction was: “Wow, uhm ...”.

The company that designed the dress, Go Wild, has defended the garment saying the “dress symbolises South Africa’s mineral wealth: gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and charcoal.”

What do you think of Melinda’s dress?

Images via Sun International and Faccebook/MsSouthAfrica