SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017: Top 10 Preliminary Gowns

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss USA 2017: Top 10 Preliminary Gowns

Best In Gown: Miss USA 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown portion of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition--Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

Last night was the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries, which occurred at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The Preliminary Competition is very important because it's when the Top 10 Semifinalists are decided that will go on to compete in Sunday night's Final Miss USA 2017 pageant. 51 contestants representing the 50 states plus District of Columbia competed in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Naturally here on my Sashes and Tiaras blog, I'm interested in the EVENING GOWNS!

Satin and Sequins: Miss USA 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown portion of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Competition--Mandalay Bay Events Center Las Vegas

The Preliminaries give pageant fans a "glimpse" into what the contestants will wear for the Evening Gown portion and their taste level and more importantly, who went the "Pageant Betty" route or tried to be at least more Fashion Runway Fab. As a fashion designer--and beauty pageant fan--when commenting on the Evening Gowns, there are several things I'm looking for...

Exhibit A, B, C, D & E: Fashion-forward, Red Carpet Fab and...Pageant Gown Gorgeous--Miss South Dakota USA 2016 Madison McKeown at last year's Miss USA 2016 Finals

My criteria for judging a gown is based on my desire to see an element of Fashion-forward/Fashion risk-taking designs combined with the understanding that these dresses are primarily for stage and have to somehow be "Pageant Appropriate"--which inherently has their own set of "Dress Criteria". A perfect example of how one can bridge Fashion & Pageant/Stage Impact would be last year's Miss South Dakota USA  Madison McKeown who wore this cape-fab gown from Lebanese designer Tony Ward and his Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015 Collection seen in above photo. With that said...



Here are my TOP 10 Best Gowns of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries--in order of Highest to Lowest:

Miss Massachusetts USA Julia Scaparotti: Julia's black gown was probably my favorite of the night. She wore this black halter neck gown featuring gorgeous sequined lace applique in a smooth fit-and-flare "mermaid"-like silhouette with Open Back. The gown fit her perfectly, defined her figure and best features and was the correct length (hiding those tacky nude platform pumps!). This is a nice example of a fashionable style that was Pageant Perfect as well--and notice lack of HOOCHIE-licious too-high slits and no breast-a-licious cleavage (Thank You Julia!). I also liked her modern hair and the earrings. I hope, though, she lightens up on the too-heavy makeup. Score: 9.9

Miss North Carolina USA Katie Coble: LOVED this gold gown worn by Miss North Carolina USA. It was my second favorite. The gown featured gold lame pleated fabrication and great criss-cross torso draping detail. The style gave me a definite "Old Hollywood" vibe, harking back to the 1930s and 1940's days of Lauren Bacall, Jean Harlow and Marlene Dietrich with a nod to Cleopatra. The look was unique and stood out, for all the right reasons. Score: 9.89

Miss Kansas USA Catherine Carmichael: Catherine was a STUNNER last night during the Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. When she came out in this coral colored gown, I was like "OK, NOW we're talking!". The crepe gown--which fit her perfectly playing up her 6' 1" tall statuesque beauty--featured a multicolored sequined bodice and DIVA-like dramatic chiffon back cape which she modeled as if THE RENT WAS DUE! Every pageant girl worth her sash needs to watch her modeling this to learn and take a lesson on how to work a gown with a chiffon cape. ASAP! She looked like a QUEEN. Score: 9.8

Miss Louisiana USA Bethany Trahan: Miss Louisina USA Bethany Brehan comes in fourth position of my Favorite Gowns of the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries. She made quite a fashion statement with this black sequin applique-over-nude gown with iridescent organza back overskirt. The base gown was GORGEOUS: The sequin work was outstanding and it fit her to a 1/4" of her life! To be honest, I would have done without that back overskirt. I understand why it's there (drama, stage presence, etc.) but it needed to be re-thought. It did not seem organic with the beauty of the dress. Score: 9.65

Miss Nevada USA Lauren York: Lauren--who is one of the favorites to win the top crown (according to many pageant followers/missosologists on the internet) didn't disappoint in her choice of evening gown for last night's Preliminaries. She wore this very pretty column-style gown featuring a side nude illusion panel, white crepe base and unique geometric sequins and pearls. It was from Venezuelan fashion designer Dheymid Galaviz who has created many a sequined-and-crepe gown for many Miss Venezuela contestants and last year's Miss World Venezuela. Sometimes they can look similar to one of his design compatriots Gionni Straccia and at first I thought it was an Straccia gown because the sequin work looked like this: Score: 9.6

Mariam Habach Miss Lara (and eventual Miss Venezuela) at the Miss Venezuela 2016 Pageant wearing Gionni  Straccia

Miss Ohio USA 2017 Dinaleigh Baxter: One of my other Top Ten favorite gowns from the Miss USA 2017 Preliminaries was this black and fuchsia dress worn by Miss Ohio USA 2017. One of my all-time favorite color combinations are black and fuchsia mainly because Cristobal Balenciaga utilized this combination in a lot of his super stunning Haute Couture creations back in the day (Lower Photo above). So when Dinaleigh came out, I was like "You Go Girl!". Her gown had a very fitted black velvet base gown with plunging sweetheart neckline and a GORGEOUS satin cape that was precariously knotted and twisted into these tiny shoulder straps. It was dramatic, entrance-making and yes, VERY fashionable and Cristobal Balenciaga-like. Score: 9.55

Miss New Hampshire USA Sarah Mousseau: Nice gown. BAAAD shoes. Let's discuss the dress first (please!). I liked this gown so much that yes, I included it here in my Top 10. I thought the style was impacting, suited her well...I admired the unique silver sequin work and I even liked the back overskirt. Here, in this gown it seemed a bit more natural to the rest of the gown. I also thought her hair and styling were on-point. But then, she wore those nude platform pumps!!! One question: WHY??? Where there no silver strappy shoes available? I just don't get it. It baffles the mind. NO ONE would be caught wearing these type of shoes with this type of a gown on the red carpet, black-tie gala, Haute Couture fashion show...ANYWHERE! Score: 9.3

Miss Montana USA Brooke Bezanson: I included Miss Montana USA's gown here because of its elegant simplicity and chic style. It was giving a little bit of a nod to what Miss South Dakota USA wore last year in the Finals (go to the top of this post). It was also a nice breath of fresh (Gown) air to see NO SEQUINS, NO SLIT and NO tacky platform pumps (she still made a wrong color choice in wearing NUDE shoes!). The white satin crepe gown featured a column shape highlighted by a dramatic hi-lo cape. While I liked this gown, I'm not so sure it was the right gown for Miss Montana USA. Brook is a lovely looking woman but I think this might have been more effective and had more "Diva" stage effect if it was worn by an olive-skinned or darker skin toned contestant...a "Miss Venezuela" or "Miss Curacao"-type.  It also needed to be just 1" longer. Score: 9.25

Miss Tennessee USA Allee-Sutton Hethcoat: In 9th place of my Top Ten Favorite Gowns was this golden/Blush-colored sequined gown worn by Miss Tennesse USA Allee-Sutton Hethcoat. In terms of style or silhouette, there was nothing really Earth-shattering Fashion Diva about it, but it looked beautiful nonetheless. The halter-style gown fit her well and the sequin-over-nude fabric looked expensive and nice. From head to toe, this was a perfect Miss USA look. Score: 9.2

Miss Washington USA Alex Carlson-Helo: Finally, I want to give MAJOR props to Miss Washington USA Alex Carlson-Helo. While I liked her black sequined gown and thought it was impacting, I just about FELL OFF MY COUCH when I saw that she was NOT wearing those tacky nude platform pumps that EVERY OTHER contestant wore: She wore the PERFECT strappy black heels! Who knew that these women actually had other choices?? And for her perfect shoe choice, Miss Washington USA belonged in my Top Ten list! Score: 9.2



**UP NEXT: The UH OH/Oh No She Didn't/Could Have Been Better...of Miss USA 2017 Preliminary Evening Gowns

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: