SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2015 National Costumes Sneak Peak!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2015 National Costumes Sneak Peak!

Universal Costumes: Collage of Miss Universe 2015 National Costumes (Clockwise from top: Vietnam, Thailand [middle], Curacao, Great Britain, Panama)--Miss Universe 2015 Beauty Pageant Las Vegas USA

December 20th is the date for the Finals of the 64th Annual Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. After WME/IMG took the helm from Donald Trump (Thank goodness!), this will be the first Miss Universe contest under the William Morris Entertainment and International Management Group global talent, sports, acting, theater, model agency. And the first time it will be televised by Fox.

Miss Universe 2014 Colombia's Paulina Vega and the 80 contestants vying for "Miss Universe 2015"--Las Vegas

The pageant will be held in The Axis at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas. Eighty contestants from all over the world will compete for the coveted title. The contestants have been in Las Vegas since December 1st taking part in all the exciting activities leading up to the Finals later this month. The very popular "National Costume" show isn't until December 16th but that doesn't prevent me from showing you a sneak peak of some of the contestants' costumes that I found researching the web...




Asia--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Myanmar May Thaw: Love this golden sequined costume depicting a traditional look from her native Myanmar. It's very "Indigenous Couture"; down to her Alexander McQueen-like sequined pumps!

Miss Malaysia Vanessa Tevi: I also love the intricate folding and  draping in this silk jacquard two piece costume featuring a bustier bra-top and side-slit skirt. The gold leaf accents do really blend well and end up fabulously on that amazing headdress.

Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach: I found this photo on the web of what is supposed to be the National Costume to be worn by Miss Philippines Universe Pia Wurtzbach. If it is true, it sure is super-fabulous! Love the traditional Filipina Butterfly sleeves (I call them the "Imelda" sleeves, thank you very much!), an the very couture-worthy straw over-skirt...wow. This is a "national costume" that could easily be in a Paris Haute Couture runway show.

Miss Singapore Lisa White: Local Singapore Couturier Frederick Lee designed this red costume, paying tribute to the Golden Jubilee as well as an homage to the Singapore Botanic Gardens which this year became the nation's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A total of 50 orchids in varying sizes adorn the costume. The costume cost $6,000 and took over 200 hours to make.

Miss Thailand Aniporn Chalermburanawong: Aniporn chose to wear a costume inspired by--what else--the iconic Tuk Tuk , the very famous Thai mode of transportation. The unique costume was designed and created by cultural scholar Hirankrit Paipibulkul. The dress was made of chromium and decorated with real headlights that "Nat" can flash at her other 79 competitors. #LoveHer and #LoveThisCostume

Miss Vietnam Huong Pham: The stunning (and one of the favorites to take the "Miss Universe 2015" crown) Huong is wearing this very luxe Ao Dai--traditional Vietnamese ensemble--as her national costume. The creation was designed by Thuan Viet and features ivory and golden yellow silk, gold sequin details and a stupendous gold crown headdress.

Europe-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Denmark Cecilie Willemberg: The Copenhagen native is wearing a white swan costume featuring a large swan headdress and wings plus a feathered and tulle skirt. It's very "Victoria's Secret" Runway Show fab.

Miss Great Britain Narissara France: Narissara went with the British flag and fab "Show Girl" feathers. She looks quite sexy.



Latin America and Caribbean-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Argentina Claudia Barrionuevo: Claudia went with a more "Carnival" look with her "Miss Universe 2015" Argentina national costume.

Miss Bahamas Toria Nichole: The statuesque Toria (she's 6' 1" !) is wearing a fish-inspired costume, created from nude illusion (the bodysuit) and multicolored sequins. This is one of the sexiest flying fish I have ever seen!

Miss Bolivia Romina Rocamonje: This photo is a sneak peak of what Romina will be wearing. The costume is white and features silver sequins and a large feathered shoulder piece a la "Victoria's Secret Runway Show". What do you guys think?

Miss Cayman Islands Tonie Chisholm: Caribeean beauty queen, Tonie Chisholm of the Cayman Islands, understandably went with a coral/sea-inspired costume. The look has a red sequined bodysuit and over-sized "coral" back over-skirt and neck/shoulder piece.

Miss Costa Rica Brenda Castro: Brenda is wearing a fun Costa Rican national costume interpretation featuring a crop top, full mini skirt, headdress crown and flora-and-fauna "wings". Oh and then there's her fruit "basket".

Miss Curacao Kanisha Sluis: I absolutely LOVE this costume
on "Miss Universe Curacao". The colors, the sequined body suit, the
feathers...it truly is a celebration of everything about Curacao. The
design is a tribute to the local queen of
art, a former Miss Curacao (1966) & Miss Amity at Miss Universe 1967,
 Elizabeth "Nena" Sanchez (photo above). The main subjects of Nena's paintings are typical native
cottages, tropical flowers, windows, exuberant sea views and blue goddesses.

Miss Guatemala Jeimmy Aburto: Jeimmy went with the Pre-Columbian costume theme with her national costume, as see above. I think it's pretty great. I just always wonder: who is paying for the EXTRA baggage fees...when trying to transport something like this?

Miss Mexico Wendy Esparza: Wendy is wearing a Native/Indigenous costume representing a Diva Empress entitled "XOCHIQUETZAL". It was designed by Eduardo Estrada.

Miss Panama Gladys Brandao Amaya: Gladys wears a Pre-Columbian costume featuring a HUGE red feathered back-piece, heavily sequined gold and multi-jeweled headdress and matching top and skirt piece. This surely can be in contention for Most Elaborate National Costume/Miss Universe 2015.

Miss Paraguay Myriam Arevalos: Myrianm is wearing a costume depicting the "Garra Guarani" or "Guarani Claw". It was designed by Alfredo Gaona and features over 4,500 crystals



**Stay Tuned for more "Miss Universe 2015" Blogs...

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012 National Costumes--My Top Ten (there's a 11 because of a tie) Best!

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012 National Costumes--My Top Ten (there's a 11 because of a tie) Best!

Viva Feathers, Incan, Aztecan Empresses, UBER Sequins, a Fab Jumpsuit and yes, a Lady with a Torch...

 Statue of Fab Liberty: Miss USA Olivia Culpo--Is her costume one of my Faves? Read on...

Last Friday was the Miss Universe 2012 "National Costume Presentation Show". It was held at the same stage the "Miss Universe 2012" Finals will be this Wednesday--at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas. The Miss Universe pageant is famous for it's traditional "Parade of Nations" and frankly, I miss the good ol' days when the actual LIVE telecasts would begin with the girls introducing themselves in their national costumes, as host Bob Barker read their names and countries (I miss Bob Barker!). But alas, those days are waaaayyyy gone. Now, we have this "Presentation Show". I 'm just happy that at the very least, we--the fans--still get to see the costumes.

Nick Verreos Original Illustration--A Sketch I did of my imaginary "Miss Venezuela" presenting herself at the "Miss Universe Parade of Nations" many years ago

As a little boy, I would sketch all the Miss Universe contestants in their national costumes and it became a way for me to express my design and sketching talent--and keep myself busy (yes, kids, this was waaayyy before Facebook!). So you see, Miss Universe can help little boys--and also help as a Geography Lesson! But (as usual) I digress...let's discuss the Miss Universe 2012 National Costume Show--and my Top Favorites:



No. 1:

Miss China Ji Dan Xu: Miss Universe China dazzled the audience--and ME (!) watching the LIVE Ustream feed---on
Friday night as she entered the stage in her "National Costume". It was a
stand-out of a gown inspired by the Ming Dynasty vases accessorized by a
"fan" headdress. Probably THE BEST of this year's "Miss Universe 2012"...

I recognized it a couple of weeks ago in this post HERE that this "National Costume" was actually a creation from Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei's "Arabian 1002th Night" Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture Collection (photo above).



No. 2:

Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez: One word: WOW. Of all the Native
Feathered Incan/Aztec/Mayan Empress Goddess costumes that were seen on Friday night's Miss Universe 2012 National Costume Presentation Show, her's
was one of the most impressive. If not, the BEST of those styles. This costume was
supposed to represent all the silver that Mexico is famous for as well
as featured a back that highlighted the Mexican culture. Muy impresionante. To me, her costume came in a very close Second to China's.




No. 3:

Miss Nicaragua Farah Eslaquit: This was definitely one of THE BEST at the National Costume Presentation Show on Friday night and that is why she is here, at No. 3. The immense amount of sequins, crystals, paillettes, the colors, the applique sculptures. This was A WORK of Costume ART. It should be in a Museum. Like tomorrow. And I really, really hope whoever designed and created was payed A LOT of money for their work. And I hope they flew them First Class to Las Vegas to see their work on stage. It's the least the Miss Nicaragua Organization could have done.



No. 4:

Miss Netherlands Nathalie den Dekker: Nathalie delighted the audience in her sequined jumpsuit featuring blue, red and white (colors of the flag of the Netherlands) flowing chiffon and four moving mini "windmills" atop her shoulders. This was a fun, very creative way of displaying the wonder of the famous Dutch windmills. I loved how the mini windmills moved, the chiffon "blew" in the wind and her stacked platform heels matched her jumpsuit's sequin fabrication.Original, fun, well-made, stage-perfect and filled in the element of "Holland Pride". According to the script/notes that co-host Shanna Moakler read, it was designed by a Venezuelan designer.



No. 5:

Miss Israel Lina Makhuli: The "Star of David" Queen...or shall I say DIVA. This gown could be straight out of a Stephane Rolland Haute Couture runway show in Paris. I could easily see it in an awards show red carpet--sans the gold arm flaps, hood and Star of David, of course--but with all of those "bells and whistles", I applaud this and acknowledge it as a very COUTURE Runway-fabulous Miss Israel costume.



No. 6:

Miss Peru Nicole Faveron: This Peruvian QUEEN needs to be sitting on top of Machu Picchu ASAP! What a amazingly glorious costume: the corseted shorts-bodysuit, the wondrous and very elaborate cape, the crown with the Peruvian flag colored feathers...THOSE above-the-knee boots! Here's another costume that needs to be in a museum. One of the best I've ever seen!



No. 7:

Miss Panama Stephanie Vander Werf: I have NO IDEA how she got all them feathers through A) Customs and B) in some sort of a suitcase. I sure hope that Miss Panama Organization---or Government--somehow waived those luggage fees! This is a great Native Costume. It's perfect for the theme, dramatic, Miss Universe "Parade of Nations"-appropriate...and very Sexy Chica!



No. 8:

Miss Sri Lanka Sabrina Herft: Three words--She LIT UP! Notice in the photo how the sequins/crystals were actually lights that "lit" up. I LOVED this costume from Miss Universe Sri Lanka. The gold paillete column gown, the fan crystal-and-lights headdress...She looked like a Sri Lankan Goddess that I want to light incense in front of! For sure.



No. 9:

Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus: Gabriela's costume was not your typical "Rio Carnival Queen" costume. And I have to admit, that is part of the reason I am giving her "Nick Points". I absolutely love the mural of BRASIL that is displayed on her dress; it is SPECTACULAR! And the colors, the feathers, the cut of the ensemble...all add up to one of my Top Ten!



No. 10:

Miss Great Britain Holly Hale: In terms of Costume Campy...Miss Universe Great Britain gets my vote! I want to know where I can get this jumpsuit! She's like "Wonder Woman UK". The Queen should be proud.



No. 10 (Tied!):

Miss USA Olivia Culpo: Olivia wore this "Statue of Liberty" Fantasy costume for the Miss Universe National Costume Presentation Show. The ensemble was designed and created by Costume Designer Martin Izquierdo and his team--which included Project Runway Season 6 alumn Nicolas Putvinski. Miss USA's costume is on my list of Top Miss Universe 2012 Costumes because, I think it perfectly blends a "US National" element with theater, with a great modern impact. Love how the headdress resembles a sparkling show of fireworks via metallic and sequined stars of various shapes and colors. All of that, therefore, puts her in my Top Ten (in a tie with Great Britain).



Click below to watch the Behind-the-Scenes of Miss USA's Costume--with Martin Izquierdo and Nicolas Putvinski (of Project Runway Season 6) in the background:

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!!