2026 marked a history-making year for Miss Universe Australia, and Billy J was proud to be there for the journey.
As the Official Cocktail Attire Partner of Miss Universe Australia 2026, Billy J had the privilege of dressing this year's participants throughout a journey that took them from state finals across Australia to Vietnam, the Final Runway and ultimately the Miss Universe Australia National Final at Crown Melbourne.
But this year's partnership went beyond fashion.
For the first time in Miss Universe Australia history, the National Final was broadcast nationally on Seven and streamed live on 7plus, with Billy J also stepping into the spotlight as an Official Broadcast Partner for the history-making event.
It was an unforgettable year for Miss Universe Australia and an incredibly special one for Billy J.
A Partnership Made for the Spotlight
Each year, the Miss Universe Australia program brings together women from around the country for a journey focused on confidence, personal development, advocacy and opportunity. Approximately 130 women participate in the wider program before the competition progresses through the state stages and onto the National Final.
For Billy J, becoming the Official Cocktail Attire Partner felt like a natural fit.
Throughout the 2026 program, participants took to the stage in Billy J, each bringing her own personality, confidence and individual style to her look.
From statement silhouettes to event-ready dresses, seeing Billy J styled by women from across Australia became one of our favourite parts of the partnership.
Because while the dress might be Billy J, it's the woman wearing it who makes it her own.
Destination: Vietnam
The journey didn't stop at the Australian state finals.
Ahead of the National Final, the national finalists travelled to Vietnam, spending a week together as part of their preparation for the next stage of the competition. Billy J was lucky enough to travel with them in a slightly different way, dressing the finalists throughout their international experience.
Against the backdrop of Vietnam, we watched the finalists put their own spin on their Billy J looks, creating some of our favourite imagery from the entire partnership.
One Last Walk: The Final Runway
With the National Final approaching, the finalists came together in Melbourne for one of the last major moments of their Miss Universe Australia journey: the Final Runway.
Held on the Sunday before the National Final, the runway brought the finalists together for one final celebration of fashion, confidence and everything they had achieved throughout the program.
By this point, months of state events, preparation, travel and friendships had led to one final week.
And the biggest moment was still to come.
Making Miss Universe Australia History
On Wednesday, 26 August 2026, 28 national finalists took to the stage at Palladium at Crown Melbourne for the Miss Universe Australia National Final.
This year, however, audiences weren't only watching from inside the room.
For the first time in the history of Miss Universe Australia, the National Final was broadcast nationally on the Seven Network and streamed live on 7plus.
And Billy J was incredibly proud to be part of that milestone.
Alongside our role as Official Cocktail Attire Partner, Billy J became an Official Broadcast Partner of the National Final, bringing our partnership with Miss Universe Australia to audiences around the country.
Seeing the Billy J name and our styles on a national stage was a surreal moment for our team.
What began with dressing women throughout their Miss Universe Australia journey had grown into Billy J being part of a landmark night for the program itself.
And the Crown Goes to... Caity Worthington
After an incredible night at Crown Melbourne, Queensland's Caity Worthington was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2026.
Caity had begun the national stage of her journey as one of six Queensland women selected at the Queensland final in Brisbane earlier in the year, before progressing through the national program and ultimately taking home the crown.
Her win means she will now represent Australia at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico, taking the next step from the Australian stage to the global one.
From one Queensland brand to another Queensland girl, we couldn't have imagined a more fitting ending.
Congratulations, Caity. We can't wait to see where the journey takes you next.
More Than a Fashion Partnership
Looking back, what made Billy J x Miss Universe Australia so special wasn't one dress, one runway or even one night.
It was being part of the whole journey.
We watched women step onto their state stages in Billy J. We dressed the national finalists as their journey took them overseas to Vietnam. We celebrated with them at the Final Runway. And we stood alongside Miss Universe Australia as the National Final reached television audiences across Australia for the first time.
Most importantly, we watched 28 women arrive at Crown Melbourne ready to step into one of the biggest moments of their lives.
Billy J x Miss Universe Australia
To the entire Miss Universe Australia team, thank you for welcoming Billy J into such a special year.
To every woman who wore Billy J throughout the 2026 program, thank you for making each look completely your own.
And to all 28 national finalists, congratulations on an incredible achievement.
We couldn't be prouder to have been part of your journey.
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