SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals: Winner + TOP 15 EVENING GOWNS!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals: Winner + TOP 15 EVENING GOWNS!

La Mas Bella: outgoing "Miss Venezuela 2016" Keysi Sayago crowns the new "Miss Venezuela 2017" Sthefany Gutierrez who was "Miss Delta Amacuro"--Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals, Caracas Venezuela

Some Photos Courtesy of MissVenezuela.com

This Thursday evening was the Finals of  one of the most anticipated beauty pageants in the world: Miss Venezuela 2017! For a short time, many pageant fans even wondered--especially since what the country has been going through--if the pageant would still happen or if they would even send contestants to "Miss Universe" and "Miss World" but Yes, Yes, and Yes, to all those inquiring mind's questions.

Top Three: (L to R) Miss Venezuela International Mariem Velezco, Miss Venezuela 2017 Sthefany Gutierrez and Miss Venezuela World Veruska Ljubisavljevic

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves IN THE WORLD but it has recently been going through some unfortunate problems. According to Reuters, the country's inflation has risen to 826% and according to The Guardian, 10 million skip a meal a day, 9/10 homes can't cover the cost of food and 3/4 of Venezuelans have lost weight an average of 20 lbs as a result of not being able to feed themselves or buy food. It's all so sad but...in Venezuela, THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!! None of the unspeakable hardships could stop the 65th Annual Miss Venezuela Beauty Pageant... 

Ayyyy Dios Mio!--Stefhany Gutierrez is the new "Miss Venezuela"--Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals, Caracas Venezuela

Fiesta Time: Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Miss Venezuela--Venezuelan singer/icon/diva Mirla Castellanos plus entertainers Jordán Mendoza, José Andrés Padrón, Natalia Moretti and Los Boys as well as hosts of the Miss Venezuela 2017 Beauty Pageant

As you may know, I grew up in Caracas Venezuela from the late 60's until the late 70's and it was a much different country than what it is now. But I will always have a special place in my heart for that South American nation. The "Miss Venezuela" Beauty Pageant inspired me to be a designer and to sketch--and particularly draw beautiful women in fabulous gowns. And now, it has inspired me to co-author my new "Pageant Coloring Book".

Sthefany Fernandez "Miss Delta Amacuro" and now, "Miss Venezuela 2017"

Now, speaking of pageants, time to discuss the WINNER as well as all the sequins, crystals and very expensive silk seen in this year's "Miss Venezuela 2017". First the winner: The representative of "Delta Amacuro" Sthefany Gutierrez, beat out 23 other beautiful women to get the coveted George Wittels-designed crown.

Sthefany is ONLY 18 years old (most recent winners have been in their early 20's), stands 176M (5' 9") and works as a model. She does not have the typical blond "Barbie" Miss Venezuela look but was still a favorite with her olive skin, gorgeous long black hair and perfect figure. She will now spend the next 12 months preparing for NEXT YEAR'S edition of Miss Universe (and hopefully learning English, if she doesn't already know it); even though she is "Miss Venezuela 2017", she will compete in the "Miss Universe 2018" Beauty Pageant.

Sequin Parade: Miss Venezuela 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown Competition Fashion Show

And now...THE GOWNS: I have NO IDEA how the Miss Venezuela Organization paid for what it costs to create these Couture-worthy gowns (especially since most Venezuelans can't even buy Harina P.A.N.!) but this year's pageant featured some intricate and UBER Glam gowns, in fact this was one of the BEST "Miss Venezuela" Gown Fashion Shows in a long time! With that said, here are my TOP 15 BEST LIST, starting with my Number One Choice, which just happened to be THE WINNER "Miss Delta Amacuro":

1. Miss Delta Amacuro (and eventual Miss Venezuela 2017 winner) Sthefany Gutierrez--Of all the 24 gowns during the "Miss Venezuela 2017 Desfile de Traje de Noche" (Evening Gown Fashion Show), this strapless sequined gown was my top favorite! The crinoline based gown was completely covered in crystals and featured a sweetheart neckline with a creme silk ziberline inner dress. The gown was designed by Alejandro Fajardo and was stage-impacting, fit gorgeously and looked like Gown Couture Art!

Score: 9.98

2. Miss Distrito Capital Sofia Santa Rodriguez--My second best gown score goes to the design worn by "Miss Distrito Capital" (she represented the capital city of Caracas). This silk gazar ballgown--designed by Alejandro Fajardo (same designer of the winner's gown)--featured a plunging neckline and conic/godet shaped pieces that formed the architectural shape of this incredible dress. I also loved the contestant's styling of her swept-back chic hair and earrings. Even one of the co-hosts--while describing the dress during the show--had to concur that this gown was SPECTACULAR!

Score: 9.85

3. Miss Potuguesa Nariman Batthika: Nariman wore this powder pink colored gown designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed. This was another stunning design worthy of those good ol' days of Venezuelan Couturiers like Guy Meliet. The dress featured that very popular "nude gown" tulle netting style, all covered in crystals, bugle beads and pearls in varying sizes. Through extraordinary patternmaking and technical artistry, his atelier then attached a voluminous pink satin overskirt. Beautiful!

Score: 9.70 

4. Miss Zulia Mariangel Galban: Miss Zulia came at the end of the Miss Venezuela 2017 Evening Gown Fashion Show because her state Zulia was the last one--in terms of alphabetical order. After a slew of endless all-over sequined/crystal, nude/gold/blush colored gowns...this GORGEOUS vision of red silk ziberline appeared and I literally got up from my couch and clapped! (I know, I'm gown-silly like that!). This "Valentino Red" color dress made of Italian silk ziberline was designed by designer Joan Delgado and he did a marvelous job. It was dramatic, elegant and architectural.

Score: 9.65

5. Miss Barinas Mariem Velazco: This white gown from designer Alejandro Fajardo is my 5th pick. The dress was A LOT but somehow, it worked. The gown, which was made of silk crepe and gazar featured an asymmetrical column dress with nude panels, covered in incredible silver sequin applique. It looked like a Wedding Gown from "Game of Thrones" (or at least MY dream-like "Game of Thrones"!).

Score: 9.50

6. Miss Aragua Oriana Rodriguez: This dress above was the gown worn by Miss Aragua Oriana Rodriguez for the Finals of Miss Venezuela 2017. The design was made of ivory silk crepe and nude illusion, cut into panels that created a fit-and-flare silhouette. The beautifully-fitting dress was designed by Julio Mora and featured thousands of degrade-style crystals. I loved the heavy-to-light sequin work and the panels were done in an exquisitely sexy yet not vulgar manner. Muy bien!

Score: 9.40

7. Miss Vargas Versuska Ljubisavljevic: This royal blue colored sequined gown--designed by Benito Santos--was one of the most striking dresses of the pageant. The color was bold and stage-impacting. Inspired by an "Ocean Queen", the design featured thousands of Austrian crystals, an illusion panel neckline and silver crystal waist.

Score: 9.35

8. Miss Nueva Esparta Yerardy Montoya: Yearady wore an ensemble/gown which included an extravagant cape made of thousands of ostrich as well as Coque/rooster feathers fully lined in pink silk satin. She started with this and then released her coat/cape to reveal a beautiful pink sequined applique gown. It was a VERY INTENSE entrance which I admired and the entire look was quite fabulous!

Score: 9.25

9. Miss Falcon Bilianniz Alvarez: Bilianniz wore this golden/nude gown designed by Hugo Espina. The gown featured a column shape with a nude tulle base and golden colored "petal"-like sequins in varying sizes. It was simple, sequin-stunning and an impressive Pageant Fab gown.

Score: 9.20

 

10. Miss Tachira Maria Sofia Contreras: Maria Sofia wore this silver/ivory/lilac/nude gown from designer Dheymid Galaviz. It was pretty impressive! The gown featured 10,000+ pastel colored sequins sewn on the gown, a "plunging" neckline with nude illusion panel, as well as dramatic back falls...oh and yes, there were baby blue colored ostrich feathers on the hem of the gown and those falls. I would have probably removed those feathers, otherwise, this was a VERY FABULOUS gown.

Score: 9.15

11. Miss Amazonas Megan Beci: Megan wore this golden/nude VERY Versace-like sequined gown. The dress featured asymmetric lines, a nude base and thousands of crystals. It was a clean, chic and modern gown from Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza, known for creating gowns for these Colombian beauties:

 Score: 9.10

12. Miss Merida Yoselin Rojas: This fit-and-flare shaped gown was designed by Carlos Ferrera and featured a "nude" tulle base with 300 meters of crystals and pearls sewn in a magnificent manner covering all the necessary parts. She looked like an Ice Queen! And I have to add: Notice that in this and all the other "nude"/see-through gowns there was NEVER any tacky inner lining as we saw in the gowns worn by Miss Grand Indonesia and Miss Grand South Sudan at the "Miss Grand International" HERE. Well done Carlos!

Score: 9.00

13. Miss Yaracuy Rosangela Matos: When the co-announcer was describing this Honicer Sandoval gown, she said it was Art Nouveau and Art Deco-inspired. Not sure where that "inspiration" is (maybe the gold?) but it was an impressive work of fashion art! The mermaid-shaped dress featured 30,000 gold and amber crystals fitted very close to her body, showcasing the lines of the strapless bustier and shaped skirt, all culminating in hundreds of Coque/rooster feathers. Notice the heavy-to-light crystal work...and the silver crystals that looked like exaggerated princess seams. While it was slightly gaudy, it still looked rich and fabulously extravagant. Rosangela looked like she was OOZING gold!

Score: 8.99

14. Miss Miranda Oriana Gil: At No. 14, I wanted to add this design by Carlos Ferrera worn by Miss Miranda Oriana Gil. First off: She is GORGEOUS! OK, frankly, they ALL were! Moving on... when she walked out, she wore this Empire-waist tulle concoction and at first I thought "Ooooh, someone is trying to give a Giambattista Valli Moment"(and not so well!) and then I thought "I bet she's going to remove it ASAP!" (I hope!). And she did...well, kind of; when she untied it, it drew gasps since, it turned into the overskirt of a quite stunning sequined column gown that she was hiding underneath. The tulle thing was a MESS and did not flatter her at all and then it looked so unnecessary once she displayed the dress underneath. The saving graces were: Oriana was GORGEOUS (I think I already said that!), and the inner dress was quite pretty.

Score: 8.85

15. Miss Sucre Zharat Bruzal: Last but not least, I included this ivory colored gown worn by Miss Sucre. The dress looked well-done and was VERY "Miss Venezuela" circa 1980's; look at the crystal bustier, the cascade overskirt, those OUT OF CONTROL earrings AND THAT HAIR!!!! OMG!!! I literally thought I was 8 years old and still back in Caracas watching Gilberto Correa hosting this darn over-the-top show! And for that, I had to include her!

Score: 8.10

CONGRATULATIONS & Felicitaciones to Sthefany Gutierrez and her "Miss Venezuela 2017" Royal Court!! 

And don't forget to go to AMAZON.COM to Purchase my NEW "The Pageant Coloring Book". There are over 25 hand-drawn Pageant Gown Sketches for you to create your very own Evening Gown Competition! Click HERE to purchase:

Red Carpet Minute: Best Red Carpet Gowns 2012

Red Carpet Minute: Best Red Carpet Gowns 2012

Le Red Carpet Fab:

We have come to the end of another year, and naturally that means it is time for the "Best of" lists. Here--on my NICKVERREOS.COM blog, I discuss--amongst many things--Red Carpet Fashion, Royals and Royal Weddings, Figure Skating Costumes and yes, Pageant Gowns, so I will do a "Best Of" list for all those. So...let's begin with my Favorite Red Carpet Gowns of 2012:



The Best Ivory, Blush & Color Gowns:

 Gwyneth Paltrow, Academy Awards 2012--Statuesque column one shoulder silk crepe gown with attached--but detachable--cape, from Tom Ford. The Best Gown of the entire night--and probably 2012. Gorgeous, simple, elegant, regal...gown perfection.

 Charlize Theron, Golden Globes 2012--Theron wore one of my favorite gowns of the year at the Golden Globes. It's a blush colored silk chiffon gown featuring a plunging neckline, side slit and folded-down silk gazar bows. The gown is a Custom Dior. Charlize's hair looks perfect, the Cartier headband is chic and so 1930's, and the waist diamond brooch just put's the right amount of sparkle to a fairly neutral-colored gown.

Kate Beckinsale, 2012 Golden Globe Awards--This strapless subtly sparkling fit-to-flare blush-colored gown is from Roberto Cavalli was one of my favorite of the year and of the 2012 Golden Globes red carpet. She was perfection.

Angelina Jolie, Golden Globes 2012--Angelina looked like a Madame Toussauds statue in this white silk satin gown from Atelier Versace. When she got on the red carpet, it was as if "Oh, yes, a Star has arrived!" I loved the pleated side draping, the perfect fit, slight dramatic train and pop of color highlighting THAT face of hers. This was the gown in which she "tested" that now-infamous "Angelina Slit Pose" using her other leg.

Tina Fey, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--One of the BEST Tina Fey has ever looked, in this burgundy colored strapless gown from British designer Vivienne Westwood. It's a simple column gown with a diagonally draped top "corset" section and a delicate peek-a-boo gold and black brocade embellished detail.

Nicole Kidman, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--I LOVED this gown and therefore had to put it here on my "Best of 2012" red carpet gown list.  It's an Antonio Berardi Spring 2013 ivory column gown with turquoise sequins in the form of wings. It fit her beautifully. Nicole was "subdued" elegance...with a sparkle PUNCH!

Natalie Portman, Golden Globes 2012--This is probably my favorite gowns of color from this year's awards shows red carpet. This strapless side-pleated gown is a Custom Lanvin by Alber Elbaz. I absolutely LOVE the fuschia color, and the tone-on-tone effect. The silhouette and side draping is so Classic Couture and very 50's "Old Hollywood Glamour". One of the best!

Best of the Metallic Gowns:

 Nina Dobrev, Met Gala 2012--The gown is Custom Donna Karan and "The Vampire Diaries" star looked stunning! The splashed metallic bias-cut gown is a Donna Karan staple and it works beautifully on Dobrev. She looks like an Erte drawing. I love the open back with side cowl drape and the UBER train is so Pageant Fab!

 Nicole Kidman, Golden Globes 2012--Nicole Kidman makes a second appearance here on my list in one of my other favorite gowns of 2012. This time, Kidman is looking very "Rock-&-Roll Chic" in this Versace Spring 2012 silver-gray column gown with metallic gold studded details. This had S-E-X written all over it. And yet, still looked elegant and red carpet perfect.

Stacy Keibler, Academy Awards 2012--George Clooney's gorgeous girlfriend almost made everyone forget who she came with--in this golden side twisted/draped gown from Marchesa Fall 2012--at this year's Academy Awards. This is not a gown for everyone and not everyone will think it's one of the Best of 2012, but for me, it belongs here for sure.

 Karolina Kurkova, Met Gala 2012--This gown is a golden metallic gown and it's a Custom Rachel Zoe. It's perfect from the front--and back. Love the matching turban...now, that's DRAMA. And yes, it helps that it all being worn by one of the top Supermodels in the World. But, even models can fail at the red carpet. But here, Karolina gets an A+.

Camila Alves, 2012 Cannes Film Festival--Brazilian-born Camila looks Frothy Fab in this Marchesa Fall 2012 lavender gown with a multi-layered tulle bottom and silver metallic embellished torso. This gown reminds me of an updated "Hello Dolly" Couture Goddess. 

Best of the Grecian Goddesses:

Diane Kruger, 2012 Cannes Film Festival--This Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Grecian-inspired silk chiffon gown was one of my Top Picks of 2012. I love the one shoulder style, light-as-a-feather delicacy, back "fall"...it's the complete package of a gown.

 

Viola Davis, Golden Globes 2012--Classic, chic, elegant...all words to describe Viola Davis in this burgundy-colored gathered one shoulder silk chiffon gown featuring a side slit and dramatic back "fall" (just like Diane Kruger's Giambattista Valli creation) from Pucci and Norwegian designer Peter Dundas.

Dita Von Teese, Elton John AIDS Foundation 2012 Academy Awards Viewing Party--She looked exquisite in this Jenny Packham Grecian Goddess style gown with sequined neck, shoulder and sleeve details. A beautiful gown.

Heidi Klum, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--I LOVED Heidi in this seafoam Grecian Goddess-style silk chiffon gown with fitted, gathered waist, deep V neckline and side slit from French designer Alexandre Vauthier. It was one of my favorite gowns of the 2012 Emmy Awards red carpet.

The Best of the All Over Sequin Gowns:

 Milla Jovovich, 2012 Academy Awards--One of the BEST gowns of the 2012 Academy Awards red carpet. This is a gown from the Elie Saab Couture Fall 2009 collection. That means it is over three years old, and frankly, it still surprises me that more stylists don't look through various Couture House's archives of past collections to borrow gowns (if the designer's allow them to, that is). This one shoulder gown features hand-beaded sequins over silk and if ordered, could set a millionaire's wife back about $100,000 (it's one-of-a-kind, made to order and done without one sewing machine--all by hand). It's stunning!

Sofia Vergara, Met Gala 2012--This blue-gray gown is from Marchesa Fall 2012 and features gold and silver sequin embellishments throughout. I loved the cascading peplum style and I think
it was one of my favorite looks on the gorgeous Sofia. We're so used to
seeing her in Va-Va-Voom styles and shapes, this was a nice very High
Fashion departure. Speaking of Va-Va-Voom...

 Sofia Vergara, 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards--This was also one of my favorite gowns of 2012. It was from Lebanese Couturier Zuhair Murad and the very fitted fit-to-flare teal-colored gown featured all over sequins. She was very "Miss Universo" in this, and maybe that's why I LOVED it! I'd be remiss not to mention the fact that yes, this dress was SO fitted that the center back invisible zipper famously broke (darn those invisible zippers!).

Evan Rachel Wood, 2012 Golden Globe Awards--FLAWLESS is the only word that comes to mind. This halter gown is Custom Gucci and has ombre deep-hunter green-to-emerald colored pailletes hand-sewn covering the gown which then "spill" out into a glorious bottom of feathers. She looks like a Couture Bird of Paradise.

Blake Lively, "Savages" LA Premiere--Blake is simply stunning in this Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2012 gown with black hand-beaded sequins strategically placed throughout the silk tulle and organza gown. One of THE BEST gowns of 2012. She looks like a blond Rita Hayworth.

Finally...

Ali Landry, TV Guide Network 2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet Coverage--Now, being that this is MY blog, after all, I had to be self-indulgent and last but not least, include one of MY own gowns, in this "Best Of 2012" list--Actress Ali Landry wore this raspberry-colored silk ziberline gown from my NIKOLAKI/Nick Verreos & David Paul Collection. to co-host TV Guide Network's 2012 Academy Awards Red Carpet Coverage (seen above with co-host Marc Istook). And yes, I think she looked AMAZING! And therefore, she HAD to make my list.

***Next Up: Best Royal Wedding Gowns of 2012