At the 1994 Miss Universe beauty pageant, Sushmita Sen made a bold and budget-friendly statement by eschewing a high-end designer gown. Financial constraints led her to opt for a dress crafted by a local tailor in Delhi, rather than the lavish ensembles typically associated with such competitions. In a resourceful touch, even the elegant gloves she donned during the final round were ingeniously fashioned from socks, skillfully trimmed by her mother.