Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition: The "Oh Dear" List!

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition: The "Oh Dear" List!

Ayyyy Mija!!!

 Feathered Queen: Miss Universe Colombia in her gown choice during last Thursday night's "Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition"

 View of the stage during the "Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition", Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

In my last posting, I talked about my Top 15 Favorites from the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition...so now, you all know what follows that: the "Oh Dear's!". These were the gowns that--for a lack of a better description--made me say "Oh Dear!" (or in Spanish "Ayyy MIJA!") as they appeared on my computer scream as I watched the LIVE feed of the Prelims via Ustream last Thursday evening. So, without further a do, let's get started:

Miss Finland Sara Chafak: Well, well, well, look what we have here: it's a bright orange high-low gown with a fitted bustier section featuring sequin detail and a plunging illusion neckline. How in the name of the EVENING GOWN GODS is this ever an appropriate gown to be wearing? Unless you are doing a "Sing For Your Life" in "RuPaul's Drag Race" reality TV show, or on top of a Carnival float in Rio Gay Pride! I give Sara points for having the gumption for wearing this and keeping a smiling gorgeous face throughout it!

Miss Guyana Ruqayyah Boyer: When Miss Universe Guyana walked out...with this...I thought "Dancing With The Stars is missing a Costume!" Boy, is this a gown. It's got a mock-neck (she's gotta be demure, I guess), cut-out side, sequined straps...and it's baby blue with white and silver crystals. I give her "Nick WURK" Points for being so fearless by wearing this and recovering after falling on the stage (the runway was wet for some reason, causing lots of the girls to slip) during her walk:

 Oopsie: Miss Universe Guyana slips and falls...but recovered perfectly!

Miss Colombia Daniella Alvarez: Put this one on the "Ayy Mija!" section. The neon-yellow color certainly gets everyone's attention but then it all goes "Pageant Betty KRAZEE" after that: the too-high slit, the too-many feathers, the chiffon she's holding, and then--if it was even necessary--those gold crystal Stripper/Drag Queen pumps: Dios Mio!

Miss Honduras Jennifer Andrade: Speaking of Pageant Betty. Take a look at this gown--a white over-the-top mermaid shape gown featuring a very plunging sweetheart neckline fitted bustier with embroidered applique and a tulle and organza ruffled and feathered bottom skirt section. This is Quinceañera/Top-of-a-Wedding-Cake madness!

Miss Botswana Sheillah Molelekwa: Part of me loves this dress--it's unusual in its design and silhouette and the baby blue color works really well against Sheillah's skin color. She's SO cute too! However, the other part of me notices the wrinkled poly-satin fabrication and awkward top construction issues and almost home-made quality...

 (left to right) Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2012, Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring 2010

If Miss Universe Botswana's gown was possibly more fitted, made in silk and featuring expensive Swiss
sequined embroidery--like these Elie Saab gowns above, it might have
ended up in my "Good Gown" blog posting.

Miss Cyprus Ioanna Yiannakou: I spoke about this red high-low gown that Miss Universe Cyprus wore for her "Official Evening Gown Portrait" HERE in my other "Oh Dear!" posting. I wasn't a fan--not because of the high-low silhouette, I love this shape. I just think it was the combination of the bright lipstick-red color PLUS the fact that it's TOO HIGH in the front which threw all the proportions off. I was hoping she was going to wear a different dress for the Preliminaries. She didn't.

Miss Norway Sara Nicole Andersen: Sara Nicole also wore this same rose-pink high low gown for her Miss Universe Official Evening Gown Portrait. It's just too frou-frou and too MTV "My Super Sweet Sixteen" and it's too close of a copy of what Ivian Sarcos wore to win her "Miss World 2011" title. Even though, she's not Latina, I still had to say "Ayyy Mija!".

Miss Panama Stephanie Vander Werf: First off, I think Stephanie is sooo pretty! My mom is from Panama so I always have a tender spot for the panameñas guapas...I just didn't like this gown. I think the print looks a bit too Resort and not enough "Red Carpet Wow!". This is a gown you wear for Cocktail Hour during your fun Carnival Cruise to Nassau. Not so sure if it's the gown you wear for the "Miss Universe" pageant. She does get "Nick Points" for wearing a printed dress. Not many girls want to "go there" and she did. It was just the wrong print.



Here's a better choice for a more "Miss Universe"-worthy printed gown:

Printed ombre multi-colored gown with sequin detail, Jovani

Miss Sri Lanka Sabrina Herft: Are those poinsettias on her boobies??? I don't get it. Well, it is very close to Xmas so...she was in the Holiday Season spirit--gown-wise. It's very Dancing With The Stars-Meets-Sexy Santa... OH DEAR!"



Lastly...

Miss USA Olivia Culpo: OK, this one might be controversial (or maybe not). When the gorgeous Olivia first walked out in this very full ball gown, it got my attention and I did say "Oh Dear!". Why? Well, one doesn't normally see this full ball gown shape in Miss Universe pageants; it's more about TIGHT, SEXY and you better have a too-high slit--so it was different. I just wasn't sure if it was Good Different.

The velvet top fabrication is a little disconcerting and the big heavy earring and up-do ages her just a little bit. On a good note: I applaud her risk in trying something new and the entire look does have a Grace Kelly/Dior element to it, which I appreciate. But the color, silhouette and fabrication were wrong. If she wanted to be daring and wear a ball gown--I might have rather seen her in something in the vein of these:

 Dior Haute Couture Spring 2012

(left to right) Dior Haute Couture Spring 2012 and Dior Haute Couture Fall 2012

***Next Up: The "Most Improved" of the "Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Evening Gown" ladies!!

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition--Evening Gowns--My Top 15 Best List!

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition--Evening Gowns--My Top 15 Best List!

Las Mejor! (Translation: The Best)

Where Did Miss Universe Venezuela Irene Esser (photo above at last night's "Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition") end up on my list? Read on kids...

Last night was the all-important Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas. All of the 89 contestants from all over the World who are competing for the title of Miss Universe 2012, paraded in front of a set of judges--different from the ones in the Final Telecast next Wednesday December 19th--in Evening Gown and Swimsuit. The top 15 vote-getters of these preliminaries will be announced during the Live Telecast as the Semi-Finalists. One additional lovely lady, by "Fan Vote" gets to be in the group, to make it a total of 16 Semi-Finalists. So, let's get to my favorites of the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown section:



No. 1:

Miss Croatia Elizabeta Burg: I loved this gown when they published the "Official Website Evening Gown Portraits" and I still LOVE it now! It is SO red carpet award show appropriate FAB, so "Classic Modern", so elegant but sexy (look at that back) and there was NO HOOCHIE SLIT, no obvious Stripper Platform Heels....it was a lesson in How To Dress For a Beauty Pageant 2012.



No. 2:

Miss Puerto Rico Bodine Koehler: I thought this blush/light pink fit-to-flare gown was beautiful. Again: No too-high slit, nothing too HOOCHIE, no sign of the too-high pumps...this was sweet and yes, FABULOSO! Love that 8" horsehair that is stiffening the hem of the gown by the way--that's a sign of Alta Moda darlings!



No. 3:

Miss Lebanon Rina Chibany: Speaking of Alta Moda, Miss Universe Labanon, is next on my "Nick Faves" list. Rina wore an emerald green gown featuring a plunging neckline, a dropped shoulder, fitted waist and gorgeous paillettes. Of course, I recognized this gown right away:

 It was a gown from the Elie Saab Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Flawless.

No. 4:

Miss Georgia Tamar Shadania: Tamar wore a strapless silver and ivory gown with lots of sequins. This was definitely a stand-out of a gown--one of the best in the "All-Over Sequin" category.



No. 5:

Miss Guatemala Laura Godoy: I thought this was an impressive showing in the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown portion. Miss Universe Guatemala's gown was a fit-to-flare style, very well-made and very-well fitted, and the silver sequins/crystals were done fabulously! It was stunning and definitely, "Miss Universe"-material.



No. 6:

Miss Bahamas Celeste Marshall: The tall and very beautiful Celeste wore a silver metallic and black organza gown--fit-to-flare shape (a favorite of these girls!). I thought the gown was great; elegant yet still show-stopping and not "Pageant Betty" typical.



No. 7:

Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus: Miss Universe Brazil caused me to say a loud "WOW" as I watched the Preliminaries via Ustream last night. In this photo you cannot tell, but she looked AMAZING! This golden sequin gown was perfect, especially for her and she WORKED it OVER TIME, in terms of her aplomb. She HAS to be a Semi-Finalist; if I was a judge.



No. 8:

Miss Indonesia Maria Selena: Here's another golden-colored gown and yes, one of my favorites of the bunch...on Miss Universe Indonesia. She looked chic and very "Miss Universe"-like in this gold lame gown with feathers and princess-seam slit. It was a nice change from what she wore for the "Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Portraits" HERE.



No. 9:

Miss Tanzania Winfrida Dominic: Love this gown and love this girl. The combination of this beautiful girl and this great gown: Perfect. I'm usually not a fan of iridescent organza but here, it's beyond fab!



No. 10:

Miss Kosovo Diana Avdiu: Calling Grecian Goddess...via Miss Universe Kosovo. If I had to style a movie based on Athena or Aphrodite, this would be the gown I would put my actress in. Best in an Ivory-colored Gown. Hands down!



No. 11:

Miss Thailand Nutpimon Farida Waller: Miss Universe Thailand looked beautiful in this iridescent white and silver sequined strapless fit-to-flare gown. It was very Marchesa. The crystal detail was gorgeous. And once again, it was MUCH better than what she wore for the "Miss Universe Evening Gown Website Official Portraits" (Seriously: Do they FORCE these girls to wear tacky dresses they do not want to wear for those website portraits?).



No. 12:

Miss Singapore Lynn Tan: Elegant. Classic. Very Carolina Herrera. Love. Very Red Carpet Award Show. This ivory duchesse satin fit-to-flare gown with black lace applique exudes "Glamour". Therefore, I love it! Good job Miss Universe Singapore!



No. 13:

Miss Jamaica Chantal Zaky: OK, if one was just looking at this photo above, it would seem as she was very "Pageant Typical" in her gown choice, etc. But, let me say that she was NOT; she was UBER Fabulous! She WORKED this golden sequin gown to no end and eventually, made me have to say that "This Girl is Miss Universe Material!". The long earrings are not really necessary but other than that: YOU GO Miss Jamaica!



No. 14:

Miss Venezuela Irene Esser: Irene has "chispa" (as they say in Venezuela)--it roughly translates into "spark" as in "she's got a 'spark'...something extra special". And yes, she does, it was very obvious even on my computer screen while watching the Preliminaries. In terms of her evening gown, it wasn't one of my TOP favorites, but...it was still in the Good bunch! I loved the sequined striped black and nude detail of the torso portion, down to the hips. But to be honest, I just wasn't a fan of the flamenco ruffled-and-feathered bottom section. It looked a little bit tacky-licious. I just wish, the entire gown would have been the same as the torso. And similar to the fantastic Zuhair Murad dress that Blake Lively wore:

 Now that, would have been "Red Carpet Fabuloso"!

Lastly...No. 15:

Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez: One word: wow. It's a hot-shorts sequined leotard with an ATTACHED gown-skirt. Who knew? Is this a "Pageant Evening Gown Trend"? I somehow missed? I hope not, to be honest. I was very much "on the fence" with this gown. The fact that it's a sequined hot-short GOWN is a bit Drag Queen Krazee. And maybe that's why I like it. But at the same time, it is a questionable choice. If a top A-List actress wore this on the red carpet...there would be HE** to pay. Trust me. I'd be talking about it the next day. For sure. But something about Karina's beautiful face, hair and the way she "walked it", made me feel that she belonged here...in my Top 15 Best.

***Next Up: The "Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown "Oh Dear's!": My "Questionable Choices" for Gowns...

Beauty Pageant Minute-Miss Universe 2012--The Miss Universe Official Evening Gown Portrait "Oh Dear's"!

Beauty Pageant Minute-Miss Universe 2012--The Miss Universe Official Evening Gown Portrait "Oh Dear's"!

Uh Oh...

 A Green Disney Princess...courtesy of Miss Universe Thailand

Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

Yes, kids, it is now time for the "Oh Oh's" of the "Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Portraits". I could write about "The Best Gowns" all day long...but all that EVERYONE here on my BLOG and on Twitter ask is "When are you going to post the OH DEAR'S??!!" Now, as a side note, I think that we can also say that this category can be titled "Could have done better" (just to be nicer). With that being said...here you go, the "Oh Dear's/Could Have Been Better":

Miss Ecuador Carolina Aguirre: Darling. No. Purple POLYESTER satin and POLYESTER organza. With diamate busline trim. No. This is Cha-Cha on an "Oh Dear!" level.

 Miss Gabon Channa Divouvi: This young woman is soooo pretty, I just do not understand why this tacky-licious gown was placed on her. It has got so many things: the bows, the iridescent organza overskirt layer, the glued-on sequins strewn throughout the gown...It is definitely in contention for getting MAJOR "Oh Dear!" points!

Miss Guyana Ruqayyah Boyer: See-through red stretch lace. No lining. Pleather neckline trim. Enough said.

Miss Thailand Nutpimon Natthayalak: The Disney Princess Award Goes To...This gown looks a little dated and too "Prom-a-licious" for Miss Universe, that's my opinion. I think my biggest issue is that she looks as if she has one leg in this photo. Not really a dress design problem, but it doesn't help.

Miss Cyprus Ioanna Yiannakou: I like a high-low style. They're very on-trend--for cute little Summer dresses as well as red carpet gowns. Here's a high-low style on Miss Universe Cyprus that just doesn't work. I think it's be too short on the "high" part (in the front) and the shredded fabrication in such a strong color red looks a bit inexpensive. 

Miss Montenegro Andrea Radonjic: Here's another high-low ensemble. Andrea wore a forest green bustier with a high-low gown-skirt. The combination of a strapless bustier and the separate too-high-low skirt looks dated--like 1996. 

 

 Miss Serbia Branislava Mandic: Another high-low style and this one looks as if it came from the late  80's/early 90's. Maybe in Las Vegas, this might work as an "evening gown" but if the gorgeous Branislava ever stepped on an actual red carpet in LA or NY in this, she will get lots of "Oh Dear's!" Oh, and I can't even begin to discuss those earrings and shoes!!

Miss Nigeria Isabella Agbor Ayuk: Isabella, what were you thinking? Iridescent baby blue. Oversized bows. Crystals on the bust. Too short. A Slit. It's Prom-a-licious "Oh Dear!" Here's a thought: when picking their evening gowns--whether for these portraits or Preliminaries--these girls should think "What would Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, (any A-List Actress) wear...at the Academy Awards?" And if you look at the gown you have on and the answer is "Not this one!", then maybe it's time to change.

Miss Belgium Laura Beyne: Two things: I like this dress...for a post-pool time evening cocktail and dinner in Mykonos. But as your evening gown choice for the Miss Universe Official Evening Gown Portrait? Not so sure. 

Miss British Virgin Islands Abigail Hindman: Speaking of post-pool cocktail hour--this would be perfect for the lovely Miss British Virgin Islands, if she were in "Carnival Fiesta" on the island of Tortola in her home of the British Virgin Islands. It's very colorful and festive, but somehow doesn't exude the chic elegance a "Miss Universe" evening gown choice should. But if I saw her at a party in Tortola wearing this dress, I would hang out with her in a HOT MINUTE!

Miss Cayman Islands Lindsay Japal: I was torn where to place Miss Lindsay. She could have fit in my "Pageant Betty" section easily but this was Pageant Betty 2.0--therefore, she went here in my "Oh Dear!" section. The gown, the hair, the earrings...it's all so dated. I understand how this could be a fashionable style in her native Cayman Islands, but once you reach the international stage, you definitely need to switch it up!

Miss Indonesia Maria Selena: Maria is absolutely gorgeous. So pretty. What's not pretty is this dress. It would have been OK without the sewn-on roses. What is that about? If Michael Kors of Project Runway was judging this, he would say "It looks like she got ATTACKED by a bunch of roses!". And he may be right. Take the roses out and leave the red lace gown as it is.

Miss Curacao Monifa Joanne Marie Jansen: Well, well, well, look what we have here! When I first saw this photo, I admit, I exclaimed a loud "Oh Dear!"  She certainly makes a statement. I have a feeling many a Drag Queen are studying this pose and gown for future performances. She's very "Dancing With The Stars"/Cha-Cha/Figure Skating Costume Oh Dear. I give her points for that! But shouldn't the illusion at least match her skin color?!

Miss Hungary Agnes Konkoly: Agnes is so pretty but this dress is so "Oh Dear!". It's just not "Evening Gown"-enough! First off, it's too short, it's lacking any luxe details and looks more like she's going to dance Tango as opposed to competing in the "Miss Universe Pageant".



And Finally...

"The Adrienne Maloof 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Look-alike of the Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Portrait Award" Goes To...

Miss Paraguay Egni Eckert: Everything about this picture screams "She's a cast-mate of the 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills', is worth a billion bucks, has a private plane and lives in a gated community away from the poor folk" , oh and on top of it, all she needs is a veil...because she's getting married. Egni=Diva.