Wight Elephant Boutique owner dresses Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu
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The Wight Elephant Boutique in Greensburg has been enjoying some unexpected global exposure.
Owner Victoria Piekut’s ties to the pageant world have given her an opportunity to dress the current Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu of India.
Sandhu recently sported outfits provided by Wight Elephant on a trip to South Africa and during an Aug. 18 appearance on “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.” The boutique also will dress her for a visit to New York Fashion Week, scheduled for Sept. 9-14.
Piekut was named Miss Pennsylvania 2020 and competed that year for the title of Miss USA, a precursor to the Miss Universe competition.
Though she went home without the crown, Piekut did befriend the winner, Asya Branch of Mississippi, and dressed her for a couple of events.
“After I passed on the (Miss Pennsylvania) crown, I kind of lost contact with the organization,” Piekut said. “Then recently I got an email from them. Harnaaz was heading to South Africa, and the stylist remembered me.
“She loved the style that we provide and knew that I had the knowledge and insight into what a girl would need to wear in that position.”
With little advance notice, Piekut consulted with her vendors to provide outfits suitable for Miss Universe.
Sandhu traveled to South Africa for that country’s Miss Universe preliminary on Aug. 13. Wight Elephant provided her with two travel looks — a plaid bomber jacket and jogger set and a three-piece blue suit with jogger pants, blazer and crop top — along with khaki pants and top for a safari excursion.
Piekut said she also owns the plaid outfit.
“It’s trendy, but so comfortable and great for traveling,” she said. “I get stopped in the airport whenever I wear it.”
The blue suit sold out earlier this year, but she’ll be bringing it back for fall.
For “The Daily Show,” Sandhu wore a red dress that she showed off while teaching Noah some Bollywood dance moves.
On the Wight Elephant website, the polyester/spandex dress is listed for $79 as the “Worthy of It All Red Corset Off Shoulder Midi Dress,” with a slit and asymmetrical hem.
Both Sandhu and the Miss Universe organization have been sharing the Wight Elephant looks on Instagram and giving credit to the boutique. Each has about 5 million followers, Piekut said.
“We’re getting worldwide recognition that we really hadn’t anticipated, but it’s really exciting for us as a small family-run business in Greensburg,” she said. “We hope it expands our online presence in serving people worldwide.”
Wight Elephant Boutique started as an online shop in 2016, offering everything from lounge wear to glam looks for a night out. Piekut runs the online business and storefront with help from her parents, Jeff and Christine Piekut.