Miss Universe candidates showcasing their national costumes in this international competition of beauty.

The 2012 Miss Universe National Costume Show took action in Las Vegas, Nevada last week with 89 candidates each representing their countries al iiciand showing the world their national costumes.

Unlike the official Miss Universe preliminary competitions such as the Best Evening Gowns and Best Swimsuit rounds, the National Costume Show is a non-competitive showcase of their countries’ costumes.

The showpiece final will be held on December 19, 2012 at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas where Miss Universe 2011, Leila Lopes of Angola, will crown her successor. Celebrities such as Justin Timberlake, Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow are also expected to grace the event, which organisers estimate will be watched by more a billion people worldwide.

Click on to see how beautiful the contestants look in their national costumes.