The 13th Alternative Miss World competition returned to London this weekend, bringing cross-dressing, latex bodysuits, inflatable animal costumes and illuminated gowns to Shakespeare's Globe theatre on the South Bank.

Sculptor and artist Andrew Logan created the competition in his art studio in Hackney 42 years ago. Logan, presenting in tandem with friend and previous contestant, artist Grayson Perry, appeared on stage after being lowered from the ceiling, a predictably flamboyant act that set the tone for the evening.

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Andrew Logan is lowered onto the stage at Shakespeare's Globe to open the Alternative Miss World show Reuters
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Co-host and former contestant Grayson Perry conducts proceedings Mary Turner/Getty Images

The format of the show stays true to more traditional beauty contests, in which entrants appear initially in daywear, then swimwear and evening wear.

Daywear highlights included Miss Zero+ dressed in a latex bodysuit and emerging on stage in a metallic inflated dress that she detached in various stages, and Miss Pi Paulus emerging in full octopus regalia.

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Miss Zero , Sasha Frolova of Russia, performs at the Alternative Miss World contest at Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London Reuters
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Miss Pi Paulus falls over near the edge of the stage during the swimwear section Reuters
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Miss Enigma names Alan Turing as the person whom she would like to honour with a national holiday, during the interview round Reuters

Other notable contestants included the light-show themed Miss Enigma, who wowed crowds despite a few technical hiccups.

"It's not the slickest thing as well, perhaps we're all a bit fed up of the slick world now, you know, it's nice to have a bit of glorious chaos," Perry said.

Miss Zero+ (real name Sasha Forlova) was crowned Alternative Miss World 2014. Having travelled all the way from Russia, she said she was delighted, not only at winning the event, but at being able to perform outside her own country as well.

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Miss Zero is carried around the Globe Theatre as she is crowned Alternative Miss World 2014 Mary Turner/Getty Images
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Miss Zero waits backstage before being crowned winner of the Alternative Miss World contest Reuters

"I performed a lot in Russia, and it's quite difficult for me because there is some kind of misunderstanding from public, from audience, when I perform, and here, there is no misunderstanding at all. So I just feel loved, and it's incredible," she said backstage, after her win.

That feeling, said Logan, is at the heart of what Alternative Miss World is really about. "My work is about joy, it's very simple. My sculptures are about joy, this is a big sculpture, and that's what it is, it's very simple, it's very simple," he said.

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A contestant is introduced during the swimwear section Reuters
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Contestants take to the stage in the Daywear round Mary Turner/Getty Images
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Miss Nether Regions is interviewed by Andrew Logan, creator of the Alternative Miss World contest Mary Turner/Getty Images
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Miss Neon Natal walks out on to the stage in the daywear round Mary Turner/Getty Images
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Singer David McAlmont waits backstage at the Globe before performing during an interval Mary Turner/Getty Images
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Miss Three Sheets to the Wind walks out onto the stage during the evening-wear round Mary Turner/Getty Images
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Miss Melonie Peel practises her walk in a corridor backstage Mary Turner/Getty Images
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Performers, hosts, and contestants who took part in the Alternative Miss World Contest 2014 dance on the Globe Theatre stage at the end of the show Mary Turner/Getty Images
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