When asked for comment, legendary designer Marianne Fassler said: “I know beauty when I see it, but all I see here is some very shiny gladiator-ninja-avatar character desperate to be noticed …

“Not out of place with the others from Venezuela, China, Dominican Republic and many more countries desperate to be noticed. Shame, poor girl. How is she going to walk with all that gold stuff trailing in front of her? Perhaps her stilts were still being decorated.”

Fellow designer David Tlale’s first reaction was: “Wow, uhm …” He then burst out laughing.

“It looks like a performance dress and I see Beyoncé. It doesn’t represent South Africa and where we are going. For me, the chiffon is just killing it.”
Leading fashion blogger Malibongwe Tyilo also burst out laughing.

“It’s horrible! It looks like a lacy cat suit on the one side and somehow someone didn’t stop when they should have.

“It would be gorgeous for a costume party.”

Designer Peter Bondesio for Go Wild Designs defended his garment in a statement, saying: “The dress symbolises South Africa’s mineral wealth: gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and charcoal.

“The bodice appears as if Melinda is dripping in gold.”