SASHES & TIARAS.....MISS WORLD 2017 Finals! Winner + Top 15 Semifinalist's GOWNS RECAP!

SASHES & TIARAS.....MISS WORLD 2017 Finals! Winner + Top 15 Semifinalist's GOWNS RECAP!

World Queen: Miss World India Manushi Chhillar is the new Miss World--Miss World 2017 Finals, Sanya China

Most Photos Courtesy of Miss World Official Facebook Page

Saturday night were the Grand Coronation Finals of the 67th edition of Miss World, held in Sanya People's Republic of China. 118 contestants from all over the world (the most of any international beauty pageant this year!), competed for the coveted title of Miss World. The beautiful Manushi Chhillar, who represented India was crowned at the end of the competition as Miss World 2017.

Crowned: The outgoing Miss World 2016--Puerto Rico's Stephanie Del Valle crowning Miss World India Manushi Chhillar as Miss World 2017--Miss World 2017 Finals, Sanya China

You Won! Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico congratulates Miss World India Manushi Chhillar on winning Miss World 2017--Miss World 2017 Finals, Sanya China

World Costumes: Miss World 2017 contestants during the "Dances of the World" segment--Miss World 2017 Finals, Sanya China

World Dancing: Miss World India (center) --and eventual Miss World 2017--during the Miss World 2017 Dances of the World segment--Miss World 2017 Finals, Sanya China

Incredible India: Manushi stands 1.75 m (5' 9"), is 20 years old and until now, held the Femina Miss India 2017 title. Both of her parents are doctors and she was pursuing (at least until she dove 110% into being the Most Beautiful Woman in India--and now the World!) a medical degree at a Women's Medical College in India. I have a feeling she might be putting that on a temporary (if not permanent) hold.

Six Beauties--Miss World winners from India: (Clockwise, left to right) Reita Faria (Miss World 1966), Aiswarya Rai (Miss World 1994), Diana Hayden (Miss World 1997), Manushi Chhillar (Miss World 2017), Priyanka Chopra (Miss World 2000), and Yukta Mookhey (Miss World 1999). 

She also becomes the sixth Indian woman to be crowned Miss World. It had been since 2000 (when Priyanka Chopra was crowned Miss World) that an Indian woman had bagged the title. And if that is any indication--looking back at past winners who have become A-list Hollywood and Bollywood actresses like Priyanka and Aishwarya Rai--then Manushi is probably destined for World stardom.

Time to discuss...THE EVENING GOWNS!!! First, I HAVE to BOW DOWN to the outgoing Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico and HER GORGEOUS "Goodbye" Evening Gown:

Turquoise Queen: Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle (right) with Miss World 2013 Megan Young (R), co-host of the Miss World 2017 Beauty Pageant--Miss World 2017 Finals Sanya, China

When Stephanie came out in this glorious blue gown, I just about fell off my couch: INCREDIBLE! This gown was EVERYTHING!!! The design featured a light blue-over-nude sequined slightly fit-and-flare gown with azure chiffon back capes and thousands upon thousands of the MOST EXQUISITE crystals in deep blue, turquoise, and silver. The off-the-shoulder style gown fit her to perfection and was OUTSTANDING at any angle! It was THE DEFINITION of a fabulous 360 degree gown...

Side Gown Diva: Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle, crowing the finalists at the Miss World 2017 Finals, Sanya China

The gown was the INCREDIBLE work of...

Puerto Rican designer Carlos Alberto: From the looks of it, it was inspired by that iconic Miss World crown and the colors in it. He used thousands of Swarovski crystals to create the very impacting jeweled details and embellishments that really made this gown ONE OF THE BEST IN A LONG TIME when it comes to pageant gowns. I really, really hope someone paid him A LOT of money for this, because YOU KNOW this will be knocked off by less expensive pageant gown manufacturers and he will not make a dime out of that--and we also know that just making a gown for free for a Miss World or Miss Universe isn't going to get 10,000 orders! Soooooo, let's just hope he was compensated VERY HANDSOMELY for this gorgeous one-of-a-kind gown! He's worth every dollar. Stephanie looked like like an Azure Caribbean Queen in this. One of the BEST handing-over-the-crown gowns IN A LONG TIME!

The Top 15 Semifinalists--Miss World 2017 Finals, Sanya China

Now, it is time to talk about the Miss World 2017 Top 15 Semifinalist's Gowns--starting with the eventual WINNER...

Miss World India Manushi Chhillar: Manushi wore this powder pink sequined gown from Indian-based designers/brand Falguni and Shane Peacock. The gown fit Manushi perfectly and was "Miss World Appropriate" with its delicate pink color, no "Hoochie" super high slit and nothing too exposed. While it might not have been extraordinary or "take-my-breath-away" Couture Fab, there was really nothing wrong with it; it was, as I suggested, Miss World Perfect.

Score: 9.10

Here are the rest of the Top 15--from Best Gown to OK--of the Miss World 2017 Top 15 Gowns (well, Top 14, not including Miss World India who I already discussed above):

1. Miss World Indonesia Achintya Nilsen: Achintya Milsen won the top award for her gown at the "Miss World--World Designer Competition & Fashion Show" with THIS gorgeous gown...so it was no surprise that she would also land as my Top Fave in Evening Gown at the Miss World 2017 Finals. The white mermaid-shaped gown she wore here was from Indonesian designer Priyo Oktaviano and was fit to perfection! The shimmery stiffened fabrication made the gown an architectural stand-out and featured side "cut outs" and a slimming torso silhouette. The subtle gold sequins down the front made for a nice touch.

Score: 9.50

2. Miss World Kenya Magline Jeruto: Kenya's representative--for me--had to be THE PRETTIEST WOMAN in the pageant! So I was happy when she made the Top 15. And happier when I saw her choice of gown; she looked chic and made her even prettier! I loved this pink sequined organza gown which featured a column dress with full overskirt. The pink color was just right against her GORGEOUS skin color and I loved the pointed sequin details especially on the upper torso and sleeves that really brought wonderful attention to that 3/4 shot. If there was any critique, it would be those black (Black??!! Really??!!) platform heels...with THIS color of a gown??? Oh huney. No. But I will overlook this detail only because she was so Lupita Nyong'o BEAUTIFUL!

Score: 9.30



3. Miss World India Manushi Chhullar: See my critique above.

4. Miss World France Aurore Kichenin: Aurore went the "Pageant princess" route with this very pretty white gown. The dress featured a full dress shape, gold paillettes, and a nice sweetheart neckline shape. Her styling was on-point with the gown (the up-do bouffant was just right) and her makeup as well as earrings were good. This contestant knew EXACTLY which pageant she was attending (not the va-va-voom Miss Universe huney!) and so she went with Elegant, Sweet, Virginal and Pretty. Good choice.

Score: 9.00

5. Miss World Mexico Andrea Meza: Andrea became the 1st Runner-up of Miss World 2017. She wore this white column gown which featured a sequined base with delicate silver and gold crystals. The strapless gown fit her well and was a good choice for her skin coloring and figure. Nothing extraordinary or Gown Fab...just safe...but I guess, that's not the name of the game when it comes to what these contestants wear for the Miss World. Obviously. Unless, you're giving up the crown like Stephanie Del Valle!

Score: 8.99

6. Miss World El Salvador Fatima Cuellar: This was the farthest a contestant from El Salvador has ever made it in Miss World so...Felicitaciones to her! Her pink colored column gown was pretty. Once again, she wasn't going to win the Supermodel of the Gown Fashion World with this. But yet, it was still a good choice. The dress had beautiful silver sequins enveloping her upper torso laid over iridescent pink fabrication. The length was right, the fit was good and she looked muy linda.

Score: 8.95

7. Miss World Russia Polina Popova: Polina wore this same red strapless gown with a paillette-covered overskirt for the "Miss World/World Designer Fashion  Show & Competition". I liked it then and obviously, still do now. The bold red is a nice color against her porcelain skin and blond hair. While it might look a teeny bit Christmas-y" to some people, I still get the nice gown impact. I just wish she had added a bit more volume to her hair. It was flat and lackluster.

Score: 8.90

8. Miss World South Africa Ade van Heerden: Take a guess what I am going to say? Yep: Pretty. The South African representative wore this baby blue sequined off-the-shoulder gown featuring plumage at the bottom. This was Pageant Nice. Nothing super chic, or extraordinary just "Pretty Pageant Gown 101". Been there-done that. But, it works for "Miss World" and the feather plumage was a nice touch at the hem.

Score: 8.50

9. Miss World South Korea Ha-eun Kim: OK, part of me is intrigued by this gown--the shape...the silver sequin detail. But...Ha-eun just keeps HOLDING the darn gown and all I want to do is SCREAM and say "DROP IT so I can SEE IT!!!" The blush color is nice and the fit looks great. It looks like an expensive NOT off-the-rack gown and I give her points for that. And yes, I still do love that silver sequined applique! But yeah: DROP IT and Own it like a Pageant Diva!

Score: 8.45

10. Miss World Nigeria Ugochi Ihezue: Ugochi won the Miss World Top Model title, which is understandable since she is like EIGHT FEET TALL (OK, just six feet+) and has the ideal size 2 model figure and...she's gorgeous! For the Miss World 2017 Finals, she wore this blue gown featuring rhinestone trim and sequined details and (GASP!) sexy side cut-outs! While I think she looks HOT, I think she might have missed the Memo that this wasn't Miss Universe but instead, Miss World. This was just TOO MUCHEY SEXY for the Miss World Organization. A) It wasn't pink. And B) There was too much skin exposed. My suggestion is that she save this for when she is reassigned to compete in a future Miss Universe Beauty Pageant. But, I still give her points for "bringing" the sexy to Miss World. Thank you darling.

Score: 8. 40

11. Miss World England Stephanie Hill: 2nd runner-up Stephanie Hill wore this baby blue colored gown featuring a column dress with a demure high neckline, flowing overskirt and sequined appliques around the midriff. It was pretty, had nice stage impact. Her side swept hair was also pretty (take note Miss World Russia!).

Score: 8.30

12. Miss World Jamaica Solange Sinclair: Solange also chose a blue color for her evening gown, but her blue was more vibrant, more "royal". The lace sequined dress featured a nude background, sweetheart scalloped neckline and upper neck/drop shoulder detail. The gown fit nice and the vibrant color was perfect for her. I just wasn't a fan of the lace front torso panel pointing to "that area" and the nude right underneath it. I would have liked it better if the sequined lace slowly went from heavy to light as it made it's way down to the hem.

Score: 8.15

13: Miss World Macau China: Congratulations for Miss World Macau China in being the first representative from that Chinese territory (formally a Portuguese colony) for making it into the Top 15 at Miss World. She wore this lilac-hued tulle and sequined gown. While I liked the ice-looking encrusted paillettes in the gown, the style looked a bit "clunky" on her, and she looked more like an Ice Dance Figure Skating competitor--as opposed to a Miss World contestant. And speaking of clunky...WHAT ARE THOSE TACKY WHITE PUMPS!!!??? #OhNo

Score: 8.00

14. Miss World Japan Haruka Yamashita: Sorry Miss World Japan but this was a Gown Fail. She's pretty and I get the whole "Miss World Demure" look but this dress looked like something one can find in one of those Santee Alley stores in Downtown L.A. It was soooo $199 Basic Prom. She also succumbed to the the Accessorized Virus (get rid of that necklace, those earrings...). And once and for all: LADIES!!! DROP THE DARN DRESS!!! On the good note, the bold color was nice.

Score: 7.50

15: Miss World Mongolia Enkhjin Tseveendash: Now, I'm a sucker for a big dramatic ballgown. If it is done well. This was just TOO MUCH and TOO BIG. The gown and all that fabric literally swallowed her up. She was just too covered up! It lacked the refinement or exclusivity of say, one of those UBER EXTRAVAGANT creations from Michael Cinco, for example. And the sequined appliques of butterflies (and are those branches?) looked a little like an afterthought. I get this as a wedding dress for a Mongolian Bride but not as Miss world evening gown.

Score: 7.45

EXTRAS: I wanted to end my Miss World Gown Recap on a more positive note, highlighting some Gowns that I thought were QUITE FABULOUS but from contestants that didn't make the Top 15. These three ladies made the Top 40 but afterwards, just stood in the background. All I wanted to do was pull them to the front and replace some of my not-so-favorite Top 15 Semifinalist's Gowns with THESE ladies! So....for that, they get a SPECIAL GOWN MENTION here:

Miss World Philippines Laura Lehmann: This was by far one of the BEST GOWNS worn by a Miss World 2017 contestant at this year's Finals! The style, the silhouette, the gorgeous DRAPING, the GLORIOUS color! This fabulous strapless ballgown was designed by Filipino designer Mark Bumgarner  and featured a coral colored silk satin organza ballgown shape with exquisite side fold draping and an open side front slit. This reminded me of those Good Ol' Days of Angel Sanchez/Guy Melliet Miss Venezuelas: Beautiful!....and the shoes!! TO DIE FOR!

Score: 9.90

Miss World Venezuela Ana Carolina Ugarte: Speaking of Miss Venezuelas, I LOVED this pink sequined gown worn by Miss World Venezuela Ana Ugarte. When I was watching the Miss World 2017 Beauty Pageant, and all the contestants were onstage in their gowns, I just couldn't take my eyes off of her! And this dress! I thought this was a Haute Couture Pageant Fab version of that "perfect Miss World dress"; Princess-like, Pink, Elegant, nothing vulgar or too sexy with a touch of drama...just right! I LOVED the sequined column gown but the star was the beautiful taffeta ballgown overskirt and the gathered midriff draped panels. Bellisima!

Score: 9.85

Miss World Vietnam My Linh Do: This is another one of those gowns that got my attention as I "surveyed" all the 118 Miss World 2017 contestants onstage. Now, you may ask, what got my attention? HELLO THE GOLD SPARKLY SEQUINS!!! At first I thought this was VERY "Showgirl" Too-Mucheey but...after seeing the other BORING and too-prissy Miss World gowns, I was like "Yep! LOVE THIS!!" She wore this gold sequined "nude" gown featuring a halter neckline, side front slit and golden feathers sweeping the train/hem. With her hair up, the nude pumps and cross earrings, I thought she looked pretty fab!

Score: 9.4



Now, after doing a little bit of web research I realized that those feathers were a "late" edition to the gown. How do I know? Exhibit A:

Miss World Vietnam 2017: Same Gown, pre-feathers.

Lastly...

Miss World Ukraine Polina Tkach: Polina wore this UBER grand ballgown for the Miss World 2017 Finals--as well as the Miss World "World Designer Fashion Show and Top Model Competition".  I thought this strapless blush-colored gown was impacting and definitely could be noticed from the "nose-bleed" section! The sequined netting-like fabric seemed luxe and overall, this had elements of a fab Haute Couture-style gown. If there was any critique, I thought the inner crinoline petticoat was too short. Look at the photo and see where it stops...like almost TWO FEET from the bottom of the outer gown! it doesn't make any sense. that inner petticoat should be almost to the floor so...the gown is completely sitting on it as opposed to partially. But other than that: Fab gown Miss World Ukraine!

Score: 9.3

CONGRATULATIONS Manushi Chhillar on being crowned Miss World 2017 and being the SIXTH representative from India who has won the coveted crown!...

And don't forget about my NEW "The Pageant Coloring Book"! Where you can create your very own Evening Gown Competition with 25 of my hand-drawn Pageant Queen illustrations. Click HERE to purchase NOW on amazon.com:

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminary EVENING GOWNS: My Top 20 + 5 "Oh Dear!"

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminary EVENING GOWNS: My Top 20 + 5 "Oh Dear!"

This Wednesday night are the Finals of the 2017 Miss Grand International Beauty Pageant, taking place on October 25th in Vietnam. Sunday night was the very important Miss Grand International Preliminary Competition, done in advance of the Finals in a very "Miss Universe"-like manner, showcasing all the 77 contestants from around the world competing in Swimsuit and Evening Gowns in front of a panel of judges. Last week, I discussed my TOP FAVORITE National Costumes of 2017 Miss Grand International which in case you missed, you can check out HERE. Now it's time for my TOP 15 BEST Gowns from the Preliminaries of 2017 Miss Grand International.

Asian Gown Divas: (L to R) Miss Grand Philippines Elizabeth Clenci, Miss Grand China Xuejiao Chen, Miss Grand Malaysia Sanjeda John and Miss Grand Indonesia Dea Goesti Rizkita--Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition

Photos courtesy of Miss Grand International Facebook

Latina Gown Fab: (L to R) Miss Grand Bolivia Mariem Suarez, Miss Grand Peru Maria Jose Lora, Miss Grand Paraguay Lia Duarte Ashmore, Miss Grand Venezuela Tulia Aleman Ferrer--Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition

I have to say that I was VERY IMPRESSED with the STRONG batch of contestants this year at the 2017 Miss Grand International pageant. In regards to the gowns, I was impressed at how UBER FAB a lot of them were. While there were some clunkers/Oh Dear's--for many of them, these were gowns that one would normally only see at a TOP TOP Pageant such as Miss Universe, full of DRAMA, Diva-like back capes, mostly well-fitting and expensive-looking sequin work.

Africa and Europe Gown Queens: (L to R) Miss Grand South Sudan Eyga Mojus, Miss Grand Ukraine Snizana Tanchuk, Miss Grand Sweden Maja Westlin, Miss Grand Belarus Panova Maria Desinovna--Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition

The See-through trend was EVERYWHERE and it is obviously here to stay. Some did it right and some well, showed too much Boob Cups! Also, some of these gowns looked better in video as opposed to photos, but you'll have to watch the Preliminaries (at end of this post) to judge for yourself...

So with all that said, here are my TOP 15 BEST and some of my "Oh Dear!' beginning with my Favorite...

1. Miss Grand Peru Maria Jose Lora: My NUMBER ONE BEST GOWN choice is Miss Grand Peru in this golden/nude shimmering gown from Maritza Mendoza Atelier. When Maria Jose walked out, I think I lost my breath...for like ONE ENTIRE MINUTE! In fact, I almost became STRAIGHT! OK, not really! But seriously, she looked STUNNING. The gown fit her to perfection, she looked super sexy but not vulgar and the gold and silver jeweled sequins were luxe and expensive...

The gown reminded me of the dress worn by "Miss Universe France" Iris Mittenaere when she won "Miss Universe" (photo above). Will Maria Jose win "Miss Grand International" in this golden/nude sequined gown now? We'll see..

Gown Score: 9.99

2. Miss Grand China Xuejiao Chen: My second BEST GOWN of the night was worn by the statuesque Miss Grand China. This was a SUPER impacting gown--also in that golden/nude color scheme as "Miss Grand Peru", but this one was ALL about stage presence and "Working The Runway"! The design featured a gold sequined column gown with a dramatic feathered-and-sequin cape. It was all fabulous. Including her modeling and chic center-part hairstyle.

Score: 9.97

3. Miss Grand Malaysia Sanjeda John: One word: WOW! First off, Sanjeda is just so exotically GORGEOUS! Now, onto the gown: I loved how the canary yellow color of this gown--designed and created by Javier Ramos Monteron/JRM Couture--looked against her skin tone. The mermaid shaped gown fit her to an 1/8th of an inch of her body and she ooozed sensuality as well as Pageant Gown Perfection.

Score: 9.97

4. Miss Grand Philippines Elizabeth Durado Clenci: Elizabeth wore my 4th Favorite Gown of the night. I thought this was elegant, modern and super chic! The gown was designed by Benj Leguiab and featured that very on-Pageant-Trend golden/nude/blush coloring, beautifully placed vertical "striped" sequins and hugged her perfect figure. The sleek hairstyle mimicked the sleekness of the gown. Well done!

Score: 9.5 

5. Miss Grand Lithuania Irmina Preisegalaviciute: This was another "WOW" moment during the Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. Irmina walked onto the stage and literally SHUT IT DOWN! She wore this fit-and-flare ivory colored column gown which featured a vertical nude illusion panel down the center front of the dress strewn with a gorgeous array of crystals. From head to toe, she looked like a contestant of a "Ru Paul's Drag Race" Pageant Challenge...and one that she would have won--wearing this!

Score: 9.45 



If you think you may have seen this gown before? You are correct:

The Gown That Goes Around The World: The same white Valentina Cedeño gown design as seen on (L to R) Miss Apure 2014 Skarliz Coa in the Miss Venezuela 2014 competition; Miss Rhode Island USA 2015 Anae Garcia competing at the Miss USA 2015 contest in Baton Rouge Louisiana, and Isabella Santiago Miss Gay Venezuela, who won the Miss International Queen 2014 title in Thailand

6. Miss Grand Myanmar Aye Chan Moe: On my 6th Best Gown Position, I placed Miss Grand Myanmar. I loved this white sequined gown. It was elegant, not Hoochie (no super high slit or cha-cha breast cleavage in sight!) and fit her well. The gown featured beautiful sequin applique in leaf-like motifs as well as bugle beaded fringe. It was a Razzle Dazzle of a Pageant Gown!

Score: 9.40

7. Miss Grand Indonesia Dea Goesti Rizkita: Miss Grand Indonesia made my Top 20 Gowns of "Miss Grand International 2017 preliminaries" in this deep violet colored bespoke gown from MaisonMet  by Mety Choa of Jakarta Indonesia. The design featured unusual and very intricately hand-sewn sequined lace work curving her figure over a nude mini lining dress. I'm not necessarily a fan of seeing those nude under-dresses and instead I would have loved it if it was the same color as the outer fabrication. In addition, I would have rather seen her wear simple strappy heels as opposed to those clunky silver platform ones. But overall, it was still one of the best dress styles of the night.

Score: 9.30

8. Miss Grand Ukraine Snizhana Tanchuk: Ukraine's Snizhana looked like an A-List actress at the Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet in this beautiful gown! The golden silk satin organza design---custom created for her by Crystal Design Ukraine--was elegant and chic, reminding me of those gowns from the Lebanese Couturiers like Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad. It looked expensive and well-made.

Score: 9.28

9. Miss Grand Sweden Maja Westlin: Simple. Sweet and Pageant Pretty. These were words I thought of when trying to describe this gown. I loved how un-Pageant Betty it was and I especially liked the rich-looking lace sequined applique and capelet style. Her styling (sleeked hair, makeup, earrings) were on-point as well. She looked like a Crown Princess...of Sweden!

Score: 9.15

10. Miss Grand Vietnam Huyen My Tran Nguyen: The hometown girl (the pageant is taking place in Vietnam) wore this golden/nude (of course!) colored gown from Joli Poi Wedding Studio Vietnam. This design featured intricate and very pretty sequin work over nude illusion, ending in a flourish of feathers and crystals in a mermaid-like silhouette. The dress looked expensive, fit well and was impressive onstage. I also loved her hairstyle and makeup, especially her golden shimmering eyeshadow that matched her gown.

Score: 9.10.

11. Miss Grand Thailand Pam Premika Pamela: Miss Grand Thailand made my Top 20 with this emerald-and-nude colored gown. Though simple in shape and not so dramatic (no Diva-like capes or thigh-high slit, etc), this gown still made a strong impact: Those STUNNING emerald-colored sequins did ALL THE WORK! And can we discuss that AMAZING fit??? Superb.

Score: 9.05

12. Miss Grand Sri Lanka Visna Fernando: Speaking of DIVA DRAMA...Miss Grand Sri Lanka takes the crown for her gown "flip" during her stage entrance at the Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminaries. She started her walk in this striking red dress quite elegantly enough, but then when she stopped and flipped the overskirt (and Thank Goodness the photographer captured it above!), I think EVERY Drag Queen, Gay Boy and Pageant fan from Brooklyn to Hanoi, must have fallen off their living room couch! DEEEEEVA!!!! Now, speaking of the gown--it was a great design, fab color, and I loved the slight touches of East Indian "Sari"-like details such as the lace sequin applique and satin hem band.

Score: 9.00 (and a TEN for that Overskirt Flip!)

13. Miss Grand Paraguay Lia Duarte Ashmore: Another Gown Diva was Paraguay's Lia Ashmore. Lia wore this canary yellow chiffon gown featuring a super high slit, silver and gold sequin appliques and dramatic back "capes". Normally I would think this type of gown would be Too Mucheey (the too-high slit, the bright color, the back capes, the sequins on her cha-cha's!) but she WORKED it OVERTIME onstage and I ended up LOVING IT: She looked like a Sexy Scheherazade Princess and I wanted her to take me to her Casbah Party!

Score: 8.99

14. Miss Grand Laos Chinnaly Norasing: Miss Grand Laos's gown ended up as my No. 14 in my Top 20 List. I thought she looked quite regal and red carpet fab in this ivory gown. The mermaid-shaped gown featured gorgeous silver sequins and crystals throughout the torso and body of the dress and ended in shimmering pleated crinoline at the skirt. I especially loved the "necklace"-like crystal details in the back (seen in photos above). This was an excellent showing from a Miss Grand Laos.

Score: 8.90

15. Miss Grand India Anukriti Gusain: India's Anukriti Gusain wore this carmine red gown designed by Falguni Shane Peacock India. This design was perfection from head to toe. Was it dramatic and "Diva"-like? Not necessarily, but it was a gorgeously safe and pretty gown. The off-the-shoulder style featured beautiful sequined applique, a fit-and-flare shape and dramatic train. If this was worn at a major Awards Show red carpet event by an A-List actress, it would DEFINITELY be on the Best Dressed List. And as a result, Miss Grand India ends up in my Top 20 here!

Score: 8.80

16. Miss Grand Venezuela Tulia Aleman Ferrer: Tulia wore this white gown from Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed. Nidal is famous for creating lots of gown for lots of Miss Venezuela contestants and winners. When Tulia first appeared onstage, she had the entire front bottom section of the gown covered--using the white georgette overskirts--hiding the thousands of crystals that enveloped the gown. Soon enough, she did a "Pageant Reveal". While I thought the color was perfect for her and the stage impact was GREAT, I wasn't a fan of the pointed bustier neckline; it was a little too Las Vegas Showgirl Costume-y for me. But, overall, the gown still was fab enough to make my Top 20.

Score: 8.75

17. Miss Grand Belarus Panova Maria Denisovna: I wanted to include this black sequined-and-tulle gown worn by Miss Grand Belarus in my Top 20. I thought the gown was stunning, especially the jet black sequin work. The style was perfect for her porcelain skin tone...I just wished the bottom tulle would have been slightly more "pouffed".

Score: 8.50

18. Miss Grand South Sudan Eyga Mojus: Miss Grand South Sudan was another one of the Pageant Divas at the Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminaries. When she entered the stage and did her runway walk, she looked like a SUPERMODEL on the Paris runways! The gown she wore--a design from ANAZ Indonesia-- featured sequined white applique strategically placed in the torso as well as hem of a tulle base as well as dramatic georgette back capes. Eyga worked the capes FLAWLESSLY and I gave her major points for that. I just wasn't a fan of that NUDE mini dress underneath. I get that it's a trend of these see-through-like pageant dresses but it is definitely a hard task to achieve the right nude color. It is one of the most difficult things to get right and if not done properly, can look tacky and in fact, look like we can see her undergarments. But...boy oh boy did she WORK those back capes DAHHHHLING!!!!

Score: 8.30

19. Miss Grand Bolivia Mariem Suarez Cuella: Miss Grand Bolivia's gown made my Top 20 because it was dramatic, well made and had stage drama. The design featured gold paillete sequins throughout over a vanilla colored duchesse satin base. The column style dress had a front side slit, attached overskirt and an off-the-shoulder neckline with sleeves. it was A LOT but...it worked for me. She looked regal, exuding a "Don't Mess With Me" air of Gown Attitude.

Score: 8.25

20. Miss Grand Nicaragua Martha Meza: Finally, Martha makes my Top 20 gowns with this violet-hued design. the gown featured a fit-and-flare shape, fan-like tulle embellishment as well as beautifully applied sequin applique. I thought she looked like the Evening Gown version of a Ming Vase. It was an impacting and unique design which I thought deserved a spot in my Top 20 Best Gowns List.

Score: 8.20

My Top 5 "OH DEAR"...

Miss Grand Nigeria Princess Omowunmi Agunbiade: Well, well, well. let me start with the Good: Overall--if you just quickly look at the photo above--it's not bad. In fact, the gold and canary colors are great, the ball gown style is dramatic and she looked quite pretty. But then...

OH NO THE BUST CUPS!!! Under no circumstances do I want to see these. this is just TACKY. I've seen this before on pageant girls and i just DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT. How on Earth do they think this is OK? Of course, you don't just go pad-less and show your nipples, etc. but...what you actually do is ADD A FULL top lining!!! Or at least partial. This above is unacceptable. Bless her heart.

Miss Grand Estonia Susanna Lehtsalu: So....Let's just start with the "Pick-up" Gown. I am not a fan of the "Pick-up" Gown. In case you don't know what a "Pick-up" gown is well, look at the photo above. It's when the gown gets 'picked up" like curtain drapes. It's Prom tacky and harks back to an 80's Quinciniera Dress. If that wasn't enough, I began to focus on the top bustier section and noticed...

Are those Crystal Sequins on on her boobies where her nipples should be??? Seriously. No.

Miss Grand Brazil Caroline Venturini: The shape is fine. It's the coral-like sequin applique that's a bit on the "Oh Dear" side. This gown looks cheap and an unfinished costume for a "Miss Aruba" or "Miss Curacao".

Miss Grand Portugal Diana Sofia Santos: Oh Miss Grand Portugal. How did she get stuck with this? And some of those other misses give you Gown Diva Drama fabulousness??!! This reminds me of a figure skating costume for a Junior Ice Dance team--or like the Wedding Guest of a super tackylicious Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.

Miss Grand Sierra Leone Nyallay Sia: To finish my 5 "Oh Dear's", it's Miss Grand Sierra Leone and this concoction above. While I excuse her for possibly not having the budget of a "Miss Venezuela" or "Miss Indonesia" and I get that Sierra Leone is a war-torn country...but Oh Dear. On a good note, Nyallay actually WORKED the stage and gave her all! But...she had to model this red lace tablecloth...over a white cocktail dress. Ayyy Dios Mio.



And my AT A GIRL AWARD Goes To...

Miss Grand Serbia Maja Smiljkovic: Last but not least, I wanted to give a special 'At-a-Girl" Award to Miss Grand Serbia...for having the gumption to wear THIS. Seriously, she's featuring a tulle caplet with bird feather-shaped trim...and silver sequins...and see-through panels. One word: Wow. OK, three words: At A Girl.



WHO do YOU think wore the BEST GOWNS of the Miss Grand International 2017 Preliminary Competition? Let me know!



And don't forget about my PAGEANT COLORING BOOK!! Enjoy making your very own Pageant Evening Gown Contest via my coloring book! Click the photo to purchase on Amazon.com NOW!

Click below to watch the 2017 Miss Grand International Preliminary Evening Gown Competition (it begins with "Miss Grand Bulgaria" therefore unfortunately missing 7 contestants from Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia and Brazil):