Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012--The Final Telecast--Evening Gowns & Final Recap!

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012--The Final Telecast--Evening Gowns & Final Recap!

Miss Universe 2012 The Finals Recap: The Gowns, The Hairspray and Miss Venezuela's "Miss South Carolina Teen USA Moment"...

Crowning Moment: Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo becomes the new Miss Universe as last year's Miss Universe, Leila Lopes of Angola is putting the crown on. Leila--by the way--is the longest running Miss Universe in history (one year and 3 months!)

This past Wednesday night, at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Theater Las Vegas, a new Miss Universe was crowned. Miss USA 20-year old Boston University sophomore Olivia Culpo (I have a feeling she isn't going back to finish her studies...for now!) beat out 88 other beautiful women and won the most coveted International Beauty Pageant title.

Universal Close-Up: Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of the USA

As you know, I love to cover beauty pageants--especially all the international ones--here on my blog concentrating on my "Gowns Recap & Reviews", naturally. My point--as a Fashion Designer and Pageant Lover--is to also try to inject a bit of Hollywood's Red Carpet vibe in terms of my critiques and suggestions into the typical "Pageant Betty Gown" world. I wish there was more of the former than the latter, especially since it's the "Hollywood Industry" who eventually ends up being the "final judges", as opposed to "Pageant World" people.

 Pageant Queens: Miss USA Olivia Culpo gets crowned by Miss
Universe 20111 Leila Lopes, and receives her flowers from Miss Teen USA
2012 Logan West

I was excited to talk about this year's Miss Universe Pageant, because I was actually attending! Yes, kids, I flew to Las Vegas--and bought tickets for myself and my NIKOLAKI design-and-business partner David Paul--to
see the pageant! I 'll have a Recap of my time in Vegas in another post
here--with lots of photos. Olivia's win makes it the eighth time in the
pageant's history (the pageant was founded in 1952)--the most of any
nation. Venezuela comes in second with six wins in the pageant's history.

 Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1997

Brook Lee in NIKOLAKI Collection: Miss Universe 1997 Brook Lee with Nick Verreos at a Miss Universe 2011 Telemundo Viewing Party at the W Hollywood (above photo).

Olivia Culpo also broke a 15-year streak of Miss USA not winning a Miss Universe title. Miss USA had not won a Miss Universe title since the gorgeous Brook Lee--originally from Hawaii--had won the title and was crowned Miss Universe 1997. Brook is a friend--and a NIKOLAKI muse--so to me, she will always be the eternal Miss Universe from the Good Ol' USA!



Now...let's discuss this year's Miss Universe 2012 Finals, the winner, the finalists, and yes, THEIR EVENING GOWNS:

The Final Two: (left to right) Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon and Miss USA Olivia Culpo hold hands as Olivia learns her fate

As I said, I went to the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant in Las Vegas. So I saw it all LIVE, from the theater. The pageant began at 5pm PST and ended at 7pm. It was an "interesting" show, to say the least, beginning with Donald Trump as Santa and the 89 contestants onstage introducing themselves. There were slight audio hiccups where several of those first countries' announcements were missed and silence (someone must have been fired for that). I felt bad for those girls since this was "their moment", as they say. 

 Three of the Best: (left to right) Miss Australia Renae Ayris, Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon and Miss Venezuela Irene Esser

 Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon (left), and Miss Venezuela Irene Esser (right) ham it up at the end of Train's (Pat Monahan, the lead singer is the middle of the photo above) performance during the Miss Universe 2012 Finals Evening Gown Competition

Then, the top 16 Semi Finalists were announced--15 were picked by a separate panel of Preliminary Judges plus the "Miss Universe Organization" had their "two cents" of who should be there--and one by the fans. There were lots of surprises as to who made the Semi Finalist list (Poland, Hungary) and the omissions (Puerto Rico, Bahamas).

 Top Five: (left to right) Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus, Miss USA Olivia Culpo, Miss Australia Renae Ayris, Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon, and Miss Venezuela Irene Esser

But lots of the Pageant Fan Favorites were there, including Venezuela, South Africa, Philippines, Brazil, Australia, USA. The swimsuit portion followed with those 16 ladies, then they were cut to ten. Evening gowns came next and then, the Top Five and finally the announcements of the Fourth, Third, Second, First Runner Ups and the Winner. In two hours, it was all done!

Right before the Final Question for the Top Five, the ladies got a Hair Spray "boost". Miss Venezuela Irene Esser (above photos) got most of the aerosol. This happened during one of the commercials breaks and I noticed--from my seat--that they were spraying maybe a little too much on those girls' hair; all one could see was just a bunch of hair spray fog!



Before I get started on my "Nick Evening Gown Recap", here were the three "special" Miss Universe winners:

Miss Congeniality: Miss Guatemala Laura Godoy

 Miss Photogenic: Miss Kosovo Diana Avdiu...who wore the (almost) same gown as the new Miss USA--Olivia Culpo's First Runner Up at the Miss USA 2012 Pageant...

 The gorgeous Nana Meriwether

 Best National Costume: Miss China Ji Dan Xu

Incidentally, she was MY PICK for Best National Costume! Hello!!

The Top Ten Evening Gowns--From Least Favorite to Best:

Miss USA Olivia Culpo: First, let me begin by saying that Olivia (and I think I have said this before) was already TWO MINUTES away from being an E! Entertainment reporter--she has the PERFECT FACE, smile and "air". She definitely has that "It" factor when it comes to being on TV. I also think she could be the lovechild of actress Emmanuelle Chriqui and Maria Menounos. In other words, she was MADE for TV. Congratulations to Olivia for winning the Miss Universe title. Her gown was, unfortunately, not my favorite. It was a full ball gown in red silk velvet with silk tulle and white under-crinoline petticoat. It featured a very plunging neckline and "glove-length" sleeves...

It was from Lebanese fashion designer's Georges Hobeika Fall 2012 Couture Collection (above photo). This gown--if ordered--would probably set you back approximately $75,000 so I wonder if it was actually bought or borrowed (like the Hollywood actresses do). I LOVE the gown on the model but I just don't think it was right on Olivia. I think it has something to do with the PLUNGING NECKLINE factor.

 Plunging Cha-Cha's: Olivia Culpo Miss USA--during the Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Competition

Plunging necklines work with flat-chested ladies. Not, with boobies such as Olivia's. During the LIVE telecast, one could see the bra/under-structure she was wearing (which is a BIG no-no). I remember turning to my seat mate (David) and saying "Oh Dear!". Seriously. But, in the end, it didn't matter, since she won the crown. Fashion Schmashion. A not-so-good gown can equal a Miss Universe crown, I guess.

Miss Hungary Agnes Konkoly: Agnes is very pretty but her strapless white satin and chiffon drop-waist gown with diamante trim is not. It is so off-the-rack. Bless her heart. Some of these girls (Hello Miss Venezuela and Miss USA) get custom gowns that could cost as much as a Mercedes-Benz! And yet, here is Miss Hungary in a gown fresh off the Pageant-and-Prom store. It was tacky and Pageant-typical. But yes, Agnes is pretty stunning and I bet that's why she was there. On another good note--the nude heels are good since as we all know, they extend the leg and do not draw the focus to the feet.

Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez: Hot-short red sequins with crepe-chiffon over-skirt; a Bodysuit Evening Gown. No. No. And No. This is perfect if she is the Ringleader of a Hot & Sexy Circus. But NOT for Miss Universe. Whoever is making these gowns is really trying to make this a "pageant gown" trend...and I want to end this trend RIGHT NOW! It doesn't make any sense. In my Preliminary Gown Post, I thought this was good, but, I have now come to my (better) Fashion Senses after seeing it LIVE and in-person on stage.

Miss Russia Elizabeth Golovanova: Oh yes, look what we have here: yet another Bodysuit Evening Gown. I love the royal blue color and the beading looks delicately elegant. But, once again--what is up with this "Bodysuit Evening Gown" style? Not a fan. And I guess that it wasn't a judges' favorite either (she didn't make it to the Top Five).

Miss France Marie Payet: Now it is time for the pretty gowns...Let's begin with Miss Universe France.  This creme colored beaded gown was beautiful., elegant, well-made and hit all the right red carpet/pageant notes: there was NO HOOCHIE slit, it fit perfectly, it wasn't too short or too long and it looked regal. One of the best in the Top Ten Evening Gowns.

Miss Australia Renae Ayris: Loved this gown! It was a strapless, bustier top section, fitted gown with a tulle godet bottom section. The silver sequins were fabulous and the fit was perfect. Her loose-flowing hairstyle and "natural" makeup were perfect with the gown. She was one of my Top Three Faves. For sure.

Miss South Africa Melinda Bam: Melinda was THE favorite to win. EVERYONE and their Pageant dog--had her as the winner. But, alas, it didn't happen. Nevertheless, she looked AMAZING in both the Swimsuit and Evening Gown portions of the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant. I just think that maybe--just maybe--she looked a little too "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" with her perfect blond hair, face, figure...even though one of the final judges was an actual "Real Housewife of Beverly Hills"(Lisa Vanderpump). This golden paillette one shoulder gown with chiffon "fall" was beautiful. If it was me, I would have removed the chiffon "fall"; I didn't think it was necessary--the gown itself gives DRAMA with a capital "D" with the cut and all those gold sequins.

Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus: One of my favorite gowns of the night was worn by Miss Universe Brazil. She wore a strapless and very fitted golden sequined and chiffon gown with a center front slit. She looked as if she was missing a big ol' crown. This could have gone "Pageant Betty" in a hot minute. But, there was something about how expensive it looked, her styling, the way she carried herself...it all added up to one of the best! I reminds a little bit of the golden gowns from...

 The Zuhair Murad Spring 2011 Couture Collection (above)

 

Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon: Janine, the First Runner Up to Miss Universe 2012, wore an aqua blue iridescent organza strapless gown. She looked like a "Pageant Angel" in this. It featured a strapless folded top section with intricate crystal beading detail and a fan-pleated full skirt. This gown on someone else, with it's iridescent and sheer fabric, could have been a Pageant disaster; but for Janine I have just three words: She WORKED it! Overtime. The way she walked and then did her "Cobra" head moves and then finished it with her arm across the waist pose. Drag Queens across the World will be copying it! It was MAGICAL. She should have won. Just from that alone.

Miss Venezuela Irene Esser: Irene Esser wore an emerald green silk satin gown with crystal detailing for the Finals. This was a different gown from what she wore to the Preliminaries. Her gown was designed by Venezuelan Pageant Gown designer Gionni Straccia. I loved the color, the delicate yet very expensive looking Swarovski crystal detail. The gown celebrated the Christmas season and was still giving "Pageant COUTURE"! If there was any critique, I felt that it was a teeny-bit too short. But besides this, it was my favorite evening gown of the Top Ten in this year's Miss Universe 2012 Pageant.

Co-Host Giuliana Rancic gives the "Ooooh GURL, You Messed Up" look as Miss Venezuela Irene Esser gives an incomprehensible answer at Wednesday night's Miss Universe 2012 Pageant

Finally...speaking of Miss Venezuela and Irene Esser--she was--one of the favorites to win. Unfortunately she made a fatal mistake during the Final Interview Question-and-Answer portion. It became her "Miss South Carolina Teen USA Caitlin Upton" Moment...Judge Diego Boneta asked :  

"If you could make a new law, what would it be? And explain why."

Irene, Miss Venezuela, answered:

"I
think that any leys [Spanish for "laws"] there are in Constitution or
in life, are already made. I think that we should have ... uh ... a
straight way to go ... in our similar, or, eh, in ... in our life has it
this. For example, I am a surfer and I think that the ... the best wave
that I can take is the wave that I wait for it. So ... please ... do
our only ... eh ... law, that we can do. Thank you, Vegas."



I think we all get what the beautiful Irene was trying to say there...OK, maybe not...but she sure looked pretty saying it. My post-Miss Universe advice: she should have answered in Spanish. But I fear that her pageant handlers had pressured her to do it in English (bad advice...obviously)...



Click Below to watch the head-scratching Miss Venezuela Final Question-and-Answer Moment:

***Next Up: My "Las Vegas/Miss Universe 2012" Photo Album Blog Recap!

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--Arrivals, First Fittings and More!

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012--Arrivals, First Fittings and More!

Las Vegas, Here We Go!!

 Angola's Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011

The 61st annual Miss Universe pageant is taking place right NOW in "Sin City"--Las Vegas, Nevada USA. After much speculation of where the international beauty pageant would take place, last month, it was announced that Las Vegas was the place. Rumor has it that many other cities--Miami, Florida and the country of the Dominican Republic were included--but they "pulled out" citing not enough funds. At the last minute, Vegas came to the rescue.

The final telecast will take place at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on December 19, 2012. Just this weekend, 89 contestants from all over the world began to make their way to Las Vegas for the start of all the pre-pageant activities, which included fittings, official photo sessions, rehearsals, Vegas location photo-op's, preliminaries, and so on. Usually, the contestants are in the host city for two weeks if not more prior to the Finals. By the way, I'm very excited because I will be there!! Yes, I bought tickets to the final telecast of "Miss Universe 2012" and my David and I will be there! How could we miss this? It's only an hour away from us by plane!

Last year's Miss Universe, the gorgeous Leila Lopes of Angola was crowned last year in Sao Paulo Brazil (above photo with Miss Universe 2010 Mexico's Ximena Navarette) on September 2011. In case you're doing the math, that's OVER A YEAR ago. I think she has officially been "crowned" as the longest reigning Miss Universe in history. 



So finally...the ladies have been arriving in Vegas!...here are some pics:

 Fall 2012: Miss Ghana Gifty Ofori, Miss Lebanon (second from right) Rena Chibany and Miss Venezuela Irene Esser, arriving in Las Vegas Nevada for the 61st Miss Universe Pageant

Miss Lebanon Rena Chibany and her luggage arriving in Las Vegas for "Miss Universe 2012"

Miss Venezuela Irene Esser

Miss Puerto Rico Bodine Koehler Pena: Leaving San Juan Puerto Rico Airport for Las Vegas to be part of "Miss Universe 2012 Pageant"

 Costumer David Profeta and  5' 11" Miss China Diana Xu Jidan having fittings in their Sherri Hill dresses the contestants will be wearing; Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas Miss Universe 2012

 Miss Croatia Elisabeta Burg surveys the Sherri Hill designs, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas Miss Universe 2012

Miss China Diana  Xu Jidan holding up a "Sherri Hill" design, during the fittings at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas Miss Universe 2012

 Arriving Beauties: Left to right: Miss India Shilpa Singh , Miss South Africa Melinda Bam and Miss China Diana Xu Jidan, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas Miss Universe 2012

Miss USA Olivia Culpo shows her Kooey Australian Swimwear "Goody Bag" , Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas Miss Universe 2012

***Next Up: The Miss Universe 20-12 Contestants National Costumes Preview!!!