Mr World Australia is a proud Indigenous man.

Key points: The man representing Australia at the Mr World competition was asked to remove from his stage costume an Aboriginal flag with the message "Free the flag"

The man representing Australia at the Mr World competition was asked to remove from his stage costume an Aboriginal flag with the message "Free the flag" The costume designer says many Indigenous people see the flag as their national costume

The costume designer says many Indigenous people see the flag as their national costume It's understood that the organisers' issue with the flag was that it was not the Australian national flag

Jony Berry, 24, represented Australia at the global pageant in the Philippines which involved three weeks of charity activities and competitions.

The Mr World competition opened with candidates modelling their national costumes.

Mr Berry's costume was a long satin robe with unique Indigenous art painted onto it.

It included Aboriginal flags on the trim, cuffs and back — designed by Indigenous artist Paul McCann.

"Unfortunately I did come up against a bit of a road block with our flag rights issues so I wasn't able to display one of the flags," he told ABC Radio Hobart.

It is understood Mr Berry was asked by organisers to remove the large flag from the back of the robe, which also contained the message 'free the flag'.

Jony Berry on stage in his national costume at Mr World 2019. ( Supplied: Jony Berry )

'What else do you want to take?'

Mr McCann, an acrylic painter, said the use of the Aboriginal flag was an emotional issue and many Indigenous people saw the flag as their national costume.

"I can see it from a political point of view from the organisers' position, but they didn't quite know what that message was," he said.

He said the organisers' issue was more about it not being the Australian national flag, but it was symbolic of the broader issues faced by Indigenous people.

The flag was designed in 1971 by Harold Thomas as part of the land rights movement and has been adopted by Aboriginal people to symbolise their identity.

The Government does not own the copyright or the image. A private clothing company holds the licence.

WAM Clothing has been notifying manufacturers that the flag cannot be reproduced on clothing without consent.

"It became a flag that represented the Aboriginal people just like the Torres Strait Islander flag represents the Torres Strait Islander people," Mr McCann said.

"I wanted to do Jony justice and make sure the robe represented him well but also our beautiful culture."

But Mr McCann said the flag was seen as a piece of artwork.

"We're very torn in how we can even use that flag to the point that it wasn't exactly showcased to the best of its ability in that competition," he said.

"We have to ask for permission to use a flag that was designed for us. What else do you want to take away from Indigenous first people?

Mr Berry had to remove the political message and flag from the back of the robe, but displayed flags on the cuffs and rim of the robe. ( Supplied: Royale Photography )

"I get emotional about this because it's affecting a lot of us."

Mr Berry said he found it "horrific" that the licensing money went back into a non-Indigenous company.

"It comes down to you either paying to use your cultural identifier or you could be hit with a court case or a multitude of outcomes."

Robe has 'deep meaning'

Jony Berry says it's "horrific" licensing money from the Aboriginal flag goes to a non-Indigenous company. ( Supplied: Royale Photography )

Now based in Melbourne, Mr Berry grew up in Tasmania's south and has kept a strong connection to the state.

He describes himself as mixed race — Portuguese and lutruwita (Tasmanian Aboriginal) on his father's side.

The model, comedian and actor was initially runner-up of the Australian portion of the Mr World competition.

The title had gone to Love Island competitor Eden Dally, but his forfeiture meant Mr Berry had just three weeks, instead of three months, to prepare for the final.

Mr McCann's drawings were painted onto the full-length robe, made from 8 metres of satin fabric.

"Each part of this robe has such deep meaning and such a rich beautiful connection to something," Mr Berry said.

Mr McCann said it was inspired by a boxing robe.

"We wanted to make a really luxe version representing mine and Jony's culture," he said.

"I wanted to represent that message that we are fighters as well," he said.

"My fellow contestants loved it, I got so many compliments on it," Mr Berry said.

The organisers, Miss World Australia, have been contacted for comment.