SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Earth 2017 LONG GOWN COMPETITION Group 2: Best & Uh Oh's!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Earth 2017 LONG GOWN COMPETITION Group 2: Best & Uh Oh's!

 Gown Medals: Miss Earth 2017 Long Gown Competition Group 2 Winners (L to R) Miss Earth Nigeria Eucharia Akani (Bronze medal), Miss Earth Peru Karen Rojas (Gold medal), Miss earth Costa Rica Fernanda Rodriguez (Silver medal) and Miss Earth Philippines Karen Ibasco (Silver medal)--Miss Earth 2017 Long Gown Competition Group 2

All photos courtesy of Miss Earth Facebook 

Well kids, it is indeed the start of the "International Pageant Season"! Last week, I discussed my TOP 15 FAVORITES for the Miss Grand International 2017 which is happening in Vietnam (Read HERE!)...and at the same time in another Asian country--this time the Philippines--the Miss Earth 2017 beauty pageant is happening. The 17th edition of the Miss Earth contest is occurring with 87 contestants from all over the world competing for the coveted crown with the Final Crowning Night taking place on November 4th at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila Philippines.

Miss Earth 2017 Long Gown Competition Group 2 Winners (L to R) Miss Earth Nigeria (bronze), Miss Earth Peru (Gold), Miss Earth Costa Rita and Miss Earth Philippines (Silver) flanked by the reining Miss Earth 2016 from Ecuador Katherine Espin (second from left)--Miss Earth 2017 Long Gown Competition Group 2

In advance of the final night, lots of pre-final pageant event competitions are occurring including the Swimsuit, Resorts  Wear, Talent and the one that I am most interested in (naturally!) here in my "Sashes & Tiaras" BLOG: The EVENING GOWN COMPETITION. The "Long Gown Competition" as it is called (as opposed to "Short Gown"??) is happening in separate sections with 3 different contestant groups competing...

Satins and Sequins: Contestants from Group 2 of Miss Earth 2017 Long Gown Competition--Joy-Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila Philippines

In each of these contests, the top contestants get medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) which will give them points helping them gain better spots in the Finals (similar to Miss "World" I am guessing).

The first "Long Gown Competition" occurred on Tuesday night with "Group 2" consisting of 29 ladies. The winner (or Best in Long Gown)--according to the judges--was Miss Earth Peru, with the Silver going to Miss Earth Costa Rica and Miss Earth Philippines and the Bronze going to Miss Earth Nigeria.

Good Gowns or Not-so-Muchee? Miss Earth 2017 Long Gown Competition Group 2 Contestants

There's no way of beating around the bush: I do not know who the judges were but...I did not agree so much with the Top Four (well, only just one!)...so, as it has become a tradition here in my BLOG, below are MY TOP Favorites of the Group (Top 10) and five that were just A MESS. Before I show you my list, I have to say that these were not a group of UBER FAB Couture Gals. I know this isn't Miss Universe or Miss World and therefore these contestants might not have the caliber of design and money backing them so I did give a little "slack" for that but still...as a fashion designer/pageant fan/red carpet commentator, I had to "judge" adequately.



Here's my Top 10 Best from Number One to Ten: 

1. Miss Earth Nigeria Eucharia Akani: OK, first of all,, is it A LOT? Yes. But, is it still really kind of fabulous? DOUBLE YES! I like this for many reasons: It looks AMAZING and impacting. She looks like a PERFECT beauty queen. It fits well. The length is also PERFECTION and to-the-floor! The silver is on-point and just right for her skin color. I love it. I would have given her THE GOLD!

Score: 9.15

2. Miss Earth Angola: Ermelinda Demantos: Loved this look from head to (almost) toe. The blush/golden colored shimmering gown was red carpet perfect, looked refined and well-made and not so "fire friendly" (some of the other gowns were MAJOR polyester-get-near-a-match-and-they'll light up messes!). I really liked her slicked back hair but...those UBER-stacked heels (is that what I see peaking from the center front slit?) are really not making me happy! PLEASE Ermelinda, dump those things and go for non-platform strappy heels (and just have a seamstress hem-up your gown. ASAP.

Score: 9.00

3. Miss Earth Colombia Juliana Franco: I liked the blue color, the one shoulder-like silhouette and nude illusion insets. Was this a but "Figure Skating Costume"? TOTALLY. But, listen, compared to a lot of the other gowns I saw here, this was VERY NICE. TRUST ME! It fit well, wasn't so tacky, wasn't HOOCHIE, had stage presence, the length was correct and her hair was modern and not so "Pageant Betty".

Score: 8.98

 4. Miss Earth Spain Ainara de Santamaria: I liked this gown and it was one of my favorites of this group for its simplicity, non "cray-cray" detail and pure and elegant fit. I also liked the emerald and light green sequined detail. Oh, and yes, the length was JUST RIGHT! It was simple, beautiful and impacting.

Score: 8.97

5. Miss Earth England Charlotte Brooke: Miss Earth England wore this golden-hued gown with silver crystals featuring a fitted column gown over a full overskirt. The style was elegant, impacting and almost Paris Haute Couture-like (almost). Her styling, however, was the unfortunately aspect which didn't elevate this gown to a position of fabulousness and grandeur; her hair was droopy, her make-up was inelegant...she looked too simple and "basic" yet her gown was "Red Carpet Cannes Film Festival". I gave her points more for the gown than her personal styling. It was still better than most of the others...even the ones who got some of the Long Gown medals.

Score: 8.70 

6. Miss Earth Chile Sofia Manzur: Since I had to pick my Top Ten here in this group, some of these choices were "giving them too much credit". But wait until you see some of my "Uh Oh" choices and you'll understand how this might have been "GREAT!". I liked the red color and the fit was fine. Sofia looked like a Spanish Senorita in a Sevillana Gala. I also loved her slicked back chignon. I wasn't a fan of those CRAZY gold sequined pumps (Ayyy Dios Mio!) and that "Cha-Cha Peek-a-Boo-Danger Zone" super high slit. But, if I just half-closed my eyes and avoided those two things...

Score: 8.20

7. Miss Earth Cameroon Verucha Cossinda: I liked the "mermaid Lite" silhouette of this gown and the color was lovely. I'm also happy about the fit and correct length (no tacky platform pumps showing!). Overall, this was a pretty choice for Miss Earth Cameroon.

Score: 8.10

8. Miss Earth Lebanon Elsa Antoun: Nice gown for Elsa, Miss Earth Lebanon. This black and white "Mermaid" shaped gown featured white appliques and black tulle godets at the bottom. It was nothing extraordinary but at least it fit well, was the right length and there weren't any HOOCHIE too-high slits or breast-a-licious cleavage.

Score: 8.05

9. Miss Earth Pakistan Ramina Ashfaque: Yes darlings, you read right--Miss Earth PAKISTAN! Karachi-born Ramina is competing in the Miss Earth 2017 contest and for the Long Gown Competition, she wore this canary yellow gown. Listen, under any other circumstances (or this was "Miss Universe" or "Miss World" I would have deemed this a "Sherri hill off-the-rack Pageant Betty" you-know-what. However, I think she looked radiant and lovely in this. It fit her well and she made an impact on stage. Was it A LOT of polyester? YES. And would I rather not seen those nude platform pumps? Totally. But, in this group, she was still one of my Top Ten.

Score: 8.00

10: Miss Earth Peru Karen Rojas: Believe it or not (I couldn't!), Karen won the "Gold medal" for this gown in the Miss earth 2017 Long Gown Competition Group 2. I placed her as my TENTH favorite. This was OK but certainly--at least in my eyes--not the BEST. I did like the gold flower appliques over the terracotta-colored illusion netting...and it was A LOOK but...it was verging on tacky-licious. But I had to add a tenth favorite and I decided Miss Earth Peru and her gown would be the one.

Score: 7.99



Now, on to the "Oh-No-She-Didn't: Miss Earth 2017 Long Gown Competition Group 2 Edition": Her are my "Top Five" Uh Oh's...

Miss Earth Belarus Polli Cannabis: Oh Polli. Bless your heart. While I kind of liked the top part, the bottom half was just a true GOWN MESS; it looked like black and pink toilet paper got stuck in a tornado and created a gown-skirt. I just wish designers would NEVER do that to dresses. Please. It isn't pretty. On a nice note: The length is right and she is pretty.

Score: 6.25

Miss Earth Costa Rica Fernanda Rodriguez: Fernanda somehow nabbed the SILVER medal for this gown. I am at a loss. This is a teal polyester lace/nude/applique mess. The whole too-see-through inner gown is just stripper tacky and the style is so Downtown Los Angeles Santee Alley. I know I sound like a Gown Snob but seriously. On a good note, she looked fresh and young and pretty--from the neck up.

Score: 6.20

Miss Earth France Melissa Strugen: Melissa wore this violet colored gown featuring golden scroll applique and chiffon overskirt. The gown (inexplicably) featured a mini dress lining underneath showing through. The entire look was not cute. And her hair styling and makeup did not help. I kind of get what she was going for--perhaps a "Near Eastern Goddess" but she ended up looking like a "Prom Scheherazade".

Score: 6.20 

Miss Earth Hungary Victoria Viczian: It's the "Miss Earth 2017" Beauty Pageant...and while I can understand that sponsorship may be light and you have to buy your own dress possibly from the sale rack in Budapest, this off white Duchesse Satin style was just...TOO BASIC! I am happy that it was the correct length but seriously, Victoria wasn't even trying. This is a Bridesmaid Dress for a wedding. NOT, the gown you wear for THE MISS EARTH 2017 LONG GOWN COMPETITION!

Score: 6.00



Last but not least...

Miss Earth Slovenia Sara Gavranic: Oh Slovenia. Oh Sara. Just look at this: Gold Stretch. Lycra. Draped and hi-lo. Oh wait..is that lace in the back??? How do you say "tacky-licious" in Slovenian? On a nice note, I liked her hair and red lipstick.

Score: 5.50 



**STAY TUNED for MORE of my "Sashes and Tiaras" Pageant Blogs discussing "Miss Earth", Miss Grand International" and many more HERE!



Until then....I'm excited to launch my NEW Pageant Coloring Book!!! It is full of FABULOUS Beauty Queens and Gowns ready to create your very own Evening Gown Competition! Purchase now on Amazon.com HERE:

Miss Universe Contestants Shattered the Pageant Dress Stereotype

Miss Universe Contestants Shattered the Pageant Dress Stereotype

Steve Harvey’s Miss Universe gaffe stole the show during the 2016 Miss Universe competition. Yet for this year’s scandal-free event, the gowns (and, of course, the women wearing them) were a focal point of the night — which was good news for Marquis Bias, the stylist for the Miss Universe Organization.

So what made this year’s pageant fashion, which is typically overlooked, different than in the past? Contestants shifting away from wearing typical “pageant” looks (think voluminous tulle skirts with jewel-encrusted bodices in bright colors) and opting for more typical red carpet ready stunners.

Bias, who is a fan of the trend, says that the change is being brought on by the participants themselves and that IMG, which bought the organization in late 2015, has also been a proponent of the shift.

“Of course there’s still girls that are tried and true pageant girls, and their gowns are very of that inspiration, but I feel that a lot of the girls that are more successful in the evening gown competition are girls that choose gowns that could easily be seen on any red carpet,” Bias tells Yahoo Style.

Case in point: the dresses worn by the competition’s top nine finalists, especially those of Miss Kenya, Miss Thailand, and Miss Haiti. Of course, no one’s fashion was more emblematic of this trend than that of the crowned winner herself, Miss France, Iris Mittenaere.

The dental surgery student, whose honesty during the Q&A section made her a shoo-in for the crown, dressed in a gold couture gown that reportedly took five months to make for the evening gown portion of the night. Yet, Bias admits that he “was just very excited to have a Miss France because it’s been 64 years, if I’m not mistaken, since Europe has had a winner.”

As a function of his role, Bias works with the crowned Miss Teen USA, Miss USA, and Miss Universe throughout their respective reigns. “We often have Latin winners, which is wonderful; we’ve had several winners from Asia; we’ve had quite a few American winners; we’ve had some African winners as well; but we haven’t had a European winner in quite some time.”

Miss Universe 2016, Pia Wurtzbach, who’s from the Philippines where the competition took place and also collaborated with Bias, crowned her successor in a blue custom-designed Michael Cinco couture gown.

Bypost: yahoo.com

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012--The "Pageant Bettys" and the "Too Short Gowns" Girls!

Beauty Pageant Minute--Miss Universe 2012--The "Pageant Bettys" and the "Too Short Gowns" Girls!

The Pageant Bettys and the Too-Shorts:

Emerald Queen: Miss Universe South Africa Melinda Bam--Why is she in my "Pageant Betty" group? Read on kiddies... 

Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

Continuing with my Recap of the "Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Portraits", in my last post HERE, I talked about my "Good" list--or favorites--and now, it's time to discuss the "Pageant Bettys" of the bunch plus what I call the "Too Shorts". For some explanation, "Pageant Bettys" are the ladies who well, look like a Pageant Betty--meaning the typical Pageant Girl, "done" from head to toe. They are usually wearing mermaid or full-style gowns, in pastel. Sometimes, there is some applique--usually a little "cheap" looking. And a lot of times, they may remind people of grown-up versions of the little girls from TLC's "Toddlers & Tiaras" . The "Too Shorts" are gowns that are, well, TOO SHORT, on the girls. This is a big NO NO in my book. It looks so "off-the-rack" and for a big moment such as the Miss Universe, it's time to get something Custom Made, or at least, get a seamstress to try and fix the situation.  

Now, as I stated in my last post, I realize that:

A) a lot of these girls might have just been handed these dresses and they may--or may not--have had a choice, and...

B) these may not be their actual Evening Gowns that they will wear to the all-important Preliminaries (I hope not, for some!). With all that said...here we go:

Miss Canada Adwoa Yamoah: Here are two fun facts about Adwoa: she's originally from Ghana but moved to Canada at a very young age. And second of all, she was not the actual winner of "Miss Universe Canada" but she was the First Runner Up. The actual winner hurt her foot only days before having to leave for the "Miss Universe 2012" pageant so, as they always say "if for some reason the winner cannot complete her duties..." And so it's Adwoa's time. Now, the gown. It's SO Pageant Betty! She's the QUEEN of Pageant Bettys in this peach-colored Mermaid gown with silver lace applique. There's really nothing wrong with this, except in my eyes, it's way too sweet and typical for such a gorgeous girl. She needs sexy, red carpet FASHIOOON! Please give this gown back to Miss America Alabama. ASAP!

Miss Honduras Jennifer Denise Andrade: Jennifer looks like she is starring in an episode of MTV's "My Super Sweet Sixteen"! She seriously looks like the daughter of a multimillionaire Honduran business man and she's having her Quinceañera. It's not a bad gown by any means. I think the "Barbie Pink" color may be too "cutesy" for her (if it was black or blush it might have helped). And the Prom-like hairstyle makes things worse. Also, it's waaay too long on the petite 5'2" Jennifer. For a girl that little, she does not need such an overwhelming dress.

Miss Angola Marcelina Vehekeni: Huneeeyyyyy!!!! Now here's another perfect example of a "Pageant betty" gown--and entire look--for that matter. Let's begin with the oversized bun hairstyle. Then, the oversized earrings, the strapless gown in a powder blue TAFFETA...with unexplainable creme applique, a cascade down the side front slit and then...is that an illusion panel trying to cover up the too-plunging décolletage area? I want to see this beautiful woman in a more modern style gown.

 

Miss Sweden Hanni Beronius: Another perfect example of a "Pageant Betty" look--but more updated to now. I would deem this "Pageant Betty" Lite. This strapless mermaid shaped gown is actually very nice. The shirred top section looks well made and I like the asymmetrically-cascading bottom-half ruffles. I think it's the pastel-y pink color with the choker of pearls (why??!!) and the dreaded side-swept ponytail hairstyle, that took her into Pageant Betty zone. This gown, in red, with no pearls and a more updated 2012 red carpet hairstyle: Done and done!

Miss Guatemala Laura Godoy: Here's another example of an actually great gown but not-so great styling--in terms of the hair.This silk duchesse (or is it ziberline?) gown looks well made and expensive. The fit is great (except for the too high pleated neckline). It could also double as a beautiful wedding gown--a "Two-for-One-Dress"! What takes to a "Pageant Betty" moment is the hair style (too "Sweet Sixteen") and the vanilla color of the gown. This gown in black with a modern hairstyle:  Más Bueno!

Miss Philippines Janine Marie Tugonon: This gown is very pretty--delicately pretty in fact. It reminds me of a modified Sari. I think the bright canary yellow color plus the scroll-y applique with lace overlay is what puts her in the Pageant Betty category. This is a gown that would work for the "Miss World" pageant where they like their girls sweeter. But for "Miss Universe", I'd rather see Janine Marie is something more red carpet fab with a little bit of sex appeal!

Miss Great Britain Holly Hale: What most puts Holly in this "Pageant Betty" category is her side swept hairstyle--plus the cascading iridescent POLY organza ruffles on the bottom half of this dress. First, make her hair straight, polished and modern. Next, I'd like to remove those poly organza ruffles and just take the top golden sequin portion to the floor. No need for the mermaid shape, no need for poly iridescent organza cascading ruffles. A simple column shaped gown in the silver/golden sequin equals a gown winner!

Miss Singapore Lynn Tan: The positive is that I like the color--it's like muted coral. The sequin detail is nice as well. But it's the organza (or is it tulle?) overlay in the back plus the darkened gunmetal sequin waist detail, and finally her "Pageant Betty" hairstyle that landed the very pretty Lynn here in this category.

Miss China Diana Xu Jidan: Diana is one of my favorites of all the 89 contestants this year. She has the height (almost 6 feet tall!), the perfect figure, the model-like look Miss Universe Organization likes; all of this combined can take her to the end. I was disappointed, however, when I saw her in this gown. It's not a bad gown, it's just a little "Pageant Betty" predictable. It's a little"Mother-of-the-Bride" to be honest. After all, this is what she is supposed to be wearing as her National Costume:

Guo Pei Haute "1002th Arabian Night" Spring/Summer 2010 Haute Couture collection---In other words, I'm expecting COUTURE darling! I hope she wears something else for the Preliminaries. Here's a suggestion of a gown from the same designer:

 Actress Li Bingbing in Guo Pei at the 2010 Venice Film Festival

Miss El Salvador Ana Yancy Clavel: Why are there poly organza faux flowers on this dress? I just want to know. And how, in the Pageant God's name is this supposed to be "Miss Universe" crown material? The very pretty Ana ends up here in the "Pageant Betty" category, first for the color of this gown--this bright canary yellow is very impacting but can veer into "Pageant Betty" in a split second. But it's more the flower detail and side chiffon layers which really put the nail in the coffin.

Miss Poland Marcelina Zawadzka: Marcelina is so beautiful--she looks like a tall (she's almost six feet!) version of one the Olsen twins! I'm sure she--and her pageant directors--wanted to highlight her super long legs in one form or another--but not with the usual HOOCHIE slit gown (that's on a later posting!). So she wore this sea-foam blue-green gown with an iridescent over-skirt. It's the IRIDESCENT OVER-SKIRT that gets me. She looks sweet and great from the waist up. Then it goes into Pageant Betty.

Miss South Africa Melinda Bam: Even though Melinda is short (by recent "Miss Universe" winners standards where the average height in the last nine years has been around 5'10"). Melinda is 5'7" according to this), she's still being considered as THE FAVORITE to win the crown on December 19th. She is stunning, impacting and has that "I'm both Sweet...and SEXY" Miss Universe quality. Now, let's discuss the gown. And it is A GOWN! I was a bit torn by this one. I almost put it in my "best" but then, the iridescent emerald organza over the satin and diagonal sequin detail plus the "Cathedral"-like train...all those things took it to a "Pageant Betty" Diva level. The pose, is A+. I give her that. She's stealing someone's boyfriend...and girlfriend, with that look!

Miss Norway Sara Nicole Andersen: First of all, Sara Nicole is gorgeous. Love her olive skin color as well as her hair. She's so Latina. And yet, she's from NORWAY! The gown is Pageant Betty on Testosterone; it's a strapless sequin bodice gown with a high-low shredded organza attached skirt that ends in a train. In peach. And are those sequins strewn throughout the gown skirt? Seriously. How could this gown NOT end up under "Pageant Betty" !? It's the store-bought version of...

The gown designed by Venezuelan pageant go-to fashion designer Gionni Straccia, worn by Ivian Sarcos when she won the "Miss World 2011" title (above).

The Too-Short Gown Girls:

Miss Lebanon Rina Chibany: Rina, Rina, Rina...why darling? Not only is this black jersey dress too short on you, then you go ahead and wear some 7" platform heels with it...to emphasize the fact that the dress is too short. Gowns should NEVER show the shoes, they should always hit 1/2" above the floor if not TO THE FLOOR. It's a cute dress--to go to a club in Miami, but not to use as your "Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Portrait".

Miss Denmark Josephine Hewitt: Josephine is one of the most beautiful girls in the pageant. She's got very classic, very "Hollywood" face structure and looks. Once again--like Miss Universe Lebanon--this is a gown that works for a pool party at the Delano in Miami--but not the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant. It is about FIVE inches too short on one side and about a FOOT too short on the other. And then she wears these stacked platform silver heels on top of it; accentuating the very obvious fact that the dress is too short. If she would have worn strappy heels with NO platform, she would have been fine!

Miss St. Lucia Tara Carla Edward: Tara Carla is simply beautiful--and tall (5'11"). This is why this store-bought gown ended up being too short on her. And this is why, she should have gotten a custom-made gown that was made for her height! Here's a lesson in store-bought floor-length gowns: manufacturers make gowns long enough for a 5' 7" woman. It's a "rule" in the fashion industry. So...if you are shorter than that, the gown will be too long, if you are around that, perfect. If you are above that...you get a "High Water/Flood" gown. And this is what happened. Ladies: PAY for a CUSTOM GOWN. The Cheap comes out EXPENSIVE, as Judge Marlyn Milian says: "Lo Barato sale CARO!".



***Next Up: The "Slit Queens" and "Cha-Cha Love" Evening Gown Recap of the Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Portraits

SASHES AND TIARAS....Best of 2015 List: Best Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2015! **UPDATE: Just added Miss Universe 2014-2015 Gowns!

SASHES AND TIARAS....Best of 2015 List: Best Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2015! **UPDATE: Just added Miss Universe 2014-2015 Gowns!

Best Pageant Gowns of 2015--(Clockwise L to R), Miss Philippines Universe; Miss Colombia Universe 2015/2016; Miss Lebanon at Miss World 2015; Miss Vietnam at Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries; Miss Colombia Universe; Miss Thailand Universe

Well Pageant Fans, it's that time again: My End of the Year Best and "Uh Oh!" Lists. As usual, in 2015 I covered lots of international and national pageants--in relation to one of my favorite subjects: the Evening Gowns--giving my insight and analysis on the Good, Oh Dear! and Pageant Betty of Beauty Pageant Gowns throughout various competitions during the year so...in following with tradition here on my blog, it's time for my Best of 2015 Beauty Pageant Gown List.

And don't you worry, following this will be the "Oh Dear!/Ayyy Mija!" List of 2015.

But for now, here were some of my FAVORITE Pageant Gowns of 2015. I've divided them by pageant, staring with...



Miss Universe 2015---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez-Arevalo: I absolutely LOVED this
gown! It was one of my favorites from the Miss Universe 2015
Preliminaries and it was probably THE BEST one of the Miss Universe 2015
Finals. It was exquisitely made, fit UBER perfect, the crystals looked
INCREDIBLE on stage; it reminded me of a $100,000 Atelier Versace-like
gown. This strapless column design was both Pageant Perfect as well as
Red Carpet Fabulous (Take note Miss Venezuela Organization!). Every
national pageant in the world should take note of what a pageant girl
should wear. Oh, and notice, there is no HOOCHIE too-high slit, and we
can't see the platform heels. What a novel evening gown idea! 

Miss Thailand Aniporn Chalermburanawong: Wow. I loved this gown when she wore it for the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries
and I still loved it at the Finals. This ivory satin and silver crystal
embellished gown was EVERYTHING. This, by the way (note to Miss USA
Olivia Jordan) is how you "do" a cape! If there was any critique, it's
the shoes she wore; not a fan. Strappy heels next time. This lovely woman is almost six
feet tall and there's no need for those platform heels. 

Miss France Flora Coquerel: Flora looked stunning onstage at the
Miss Universe 2015 Finals. When she walked out in this red strapless
gown, she literally took my breath away. Especially with the clean
styling and chic swept-back hair. The gown fit her beautifully and
looked architecturally perfect on her. I also LOVED that she chose NOT to
wear those tacky ubiquitous Stripper Platform Heels. Merci Flora.
She knew better and instead, opted for modern T-strap heels. I feel
this gown and styling clinched her spot in the Top 5. For sure. Elegant, sexy, impacting. And yes, Classy.

Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach: Pia wore a different gown for the Preliminaries (which I wasn't a 100% fan of, it was a bit dated and not so SUPER-fab).
Well, thank goodness, she changed. For the Finals she wore a royal blue
silk gazar gown designed by Filipino designer Albert Andrada. His
inspiration for Pia’s evening gown was "The Pearl of the Orient". He said this of the gown: "Tiny sapphire colored crystals are mixed
with the bead work and cascade towards the front of the gown,
representing beautiful sands of our beaches...the gown has a hem of
draped multiple folds at the back, which are like fins of the different
beautiful fishes found in Philippine waters. The color blue represents
the tranquility of the deep blue Philippine seas as well  as a tribute
to Pia’s queenly beauty. Blue was also her choice of color to wear to
Miss Universe." It was a gorgeous and impacting gown.

---------------------------------------------------------
**UPDATE: Thanks to a keen Blogger reader here, I forgot to include the Very Good Gowns from the Miss Universe 2014 Pageant that actually DID OCCUR in 2015--January 2015 to be exact so...Thank You for reminding me Dear Blog Reader! 



Here are some Gowns from the Miss Universe 2014-2015 Pageant which made the Best of 2015 List:

Miss Colombia (and eventual Miss Universe 2014) Paulina Vega: One word: WOW! When Paulina walked onstage
in this shimmery silver sequined column gown, I gasped! Paulina looked magnificent--like the perfect winner! The
gown fit PERFECTLY. It was modern, red carpet fab, had stage presence,
and her styling was fresh, modern and on-point. This gown certainly is worth placing it here on my Best of 2015 List.



Paulina was Two-for-Two because not only was her "Finals" gown Fab enough for inclusion on my Best of 2015 List but so was her "Evening Gown Portrait" Gown:

This gown above was also superb. The
golden\nude sequined bias-cut dress is perfect for an A-List Hollywood
actress at any top awards show. Paulina looks every bit a STAR in this
style which features a plunging neckline and delicate shoulder-grazing
crystal straps. This was a classic, beautiful well-done gown. Bravo on both Paulina (and her Miss Colombia Organization style/glam squad!).

Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha: I just about dropped my dinner and glass of red wine...when I saw Miss Universe Ukraine wear one of my favorite gowns from the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall 2014 collection.
Yes, kids, it's COUTURE! And would cost in the high regions of
$100,000+ if you were to order it! The strapless silk organza gown
features all hand-sewn crystals (the gown is also HAND SEWN!), an
asymmetrical front silhouette with exaggerated cascade drapes. I also
loved that she did an elegant center-front parted high bun to give it an added extra "I'm a DIVA who is wearing a
FABULOUS $100,000 gown!" exclamation mark. One of the Best of 2015 Beauty Pageants!

Miss Russia Yulia Alipova: Miss Universe Ukraine wasn't the only
contestant wearing actual Paris Haute Couture...Miss Russia was not
about to be overshadowed darlings! Yulia wore another of my favorite
gowns of 2015 in this crimson red silk satin ball gown from Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2013.
This gown is absolute perfection: it's Grace Kelly Hollywood Glamour
classic, elegant and features all the details of a true Couture dress.
It is all hand made, has hand sewn crystal applique and the folded skirt
drapes add exuberant sweeping drama. Ball Gown Perfection!



Miss Russia was also Two-for-Two during the Miss Universe 2014 pageant which aired in January of this year (2015)--She also wore another $100,000+ costing Haute Couture gown and this was just for the "Evening Gown Portraits":

Miss Russia Yulia Alipova wore this Elie Saab Haute Couture from his Fall 2014 collection for the Miss Universe 2014 Website's Evening Gown Portraits. This gown is truly a work of Couture art! And probably cost about
$175,000. Not sure if she actually ordered it and bought it, or she may
have a very, very rich Russian Arms Dealer boyfriend who did! Or she
pulled lots of strings to borrow it from the Elie Saab Press
Office...whatever she did, I'm glad! The dramatic ball gown shape, the
incredible print, the hand-placed strawberry-colored flower sequin
appliques on the bodice and torso area...this gown is one of those
dresses that can SHUT IT DOWN once she steps on stage. Bravo for Yulia and her two gowns making it in my Best of 2015 List.

Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell: I loved this red gown worn by
Miss Universe Jamaica Kaci Fennell. She was one of the favorites to win the
crown and I can see why; she exuded major confidence, she's beautiful,
and has THE sexiest/sassiest runway walk! This red sequined
applique gown could have gone a bit tacky-licious but the mini cap
sleeve, high neck, lack of HOOCHIE slit, and her slicked pixie
hairstyle...among other things...brought it all into chic, red carpet
fab! Very good!

Miss Spain Desiree Cordero: Desiree wore one of my favorite gowns of the pageant. It was a
strapless silver/ivory fitted Siren-like gown that featured exquisitely placed
sequins and jewels. The fit was fabulous and she stunned onstage. Loved it!

Miss Venezuela Migbelis Castellanos: I loved this Gionni Straccia-designed
off-the-shoulder ivory sequined gown on Migbelis. I have to BOW down to
the Gionni Straccia Atelier in Caracas (or wherever he has these gowns
made) because that sequin and jewel work is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I think Migbelis did herself a disservice by putting her hair in the front; she looked
like she had NO NECK. She should have pushed her hair back. But taking her hair out of the equation, this gown was Pageant Perfection.

Miss World 2015------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra: GORGEOUS. Yes. Definitely. Miss
Lebanon was one of the favorites to win the Miss World crown and I can see why.
This gown was STUNNING. It was a design from Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2015 Haute Couture collection.
The gown featured a plunging neckline, long sleeves, nude silk tulle
with hand-sewn ivory beads and crystals and a full gathered overskirt
sewn onto a column gown. This gown probably retails for about $100,000 if you were to place an order (and you were the wife of a Chinese Billionaire!). I
am sure she didn't pay that and it was borrowed. Needless to say, it always nice to see an actual Haute Couture gown in a beauty pageant. Thank you Zuhair Murad and Thank you Miss Lebanon Organization.



Some of my other Best of 2015 from the Miss World 2015 Beauty Pageant included:

Miss Cote d'Ivoire Andrea N'Guessan: Love this gown on the
beautiful Miss Cote d'Ivoire. The black and white sequined style was
chic and sexy. I also loved the gold earrings styled with it.

Miss Fiji Brittany Hazelman: Stunning. This red column gown with
gold "necklace"-like neck trim was sublime. I wish I had a photo of her
back because it was FABULOUS!

Miss Gabon Reine Ngotala and Miss Georgia Nino Karalashvili: Both
of these gowns were great! Love them both. Miss Gabon was Mermaid Fab
ad Miss Georgia's metallic column was ready for the red carpet.

Miss Puerto Rico Keysi Vargas: I loved this strapless red lace
and organza gown. It was very "Met Ball" dramatic and unique. She really
was "Done" from head to toe! Muy Bien Puerto Rico.

Miss Philippines Hillarie Parungao: Hillarie's gown for the Miss World Top Model/Designer of the World Competition was gorgeous and very feminine. The pink fit-to-flare style designed by Mak Tumang featured silver
sequined applique leaf-like scrolls as well as straight-line crystals on
the diagonal throughout the body of the dress. So beautiful, delicate, and Pageant Perfect!



Miss International 2015----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Venezuela (and eventual Miss International 2015) Edymar Martinez wore an ivory tulle gown designed by Venezuelan pageant gown designer Hugo Espina. The gown featured an open neckline covered in
nude mesh, "bell" sleeves, a satin waist tie, straight silhouette with
long dramatic train. I thought it was gorgeous. It was very impacting on
Edymar and showcased her Hollywood Red Carpet-looking image. If I had
any complaint, it would be those bell-shaped sleeves; not sure if it was
necessary to add those. But other than this, I thought this was a very
intricate and almost Couture-worthy gown.

3rd Runner-up Miss Vietnam Pham Hong Thuy Van: LOVED this
strapless ball gown on Miss Vietnam. It was so Paris Haute Couture
Fashion Week. Not sure who designed and who is running the Miss Vietnam
International Organization but in terms of her Styling Team, continue
what you are doing! She looks like an actress on the Cannes Film
Festival Red Carpet: Beautiful.



Miss Colombia Universe 2015/2016--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Choco (and eventual Miss Colombia 2015/2016) Andrea Tovar: One word--WOW! Andrea wore a golden
colored tulle and sequined lace gown with a column shape and fuller back
overskirt silhouette. The front featured a plunging neckline covered in
skin colored illusion, as well as long sleeves. Her makeup and chic
chignon, perfectly finished this look. She looked regal, and perfect! A
definite TEN! One of the Best of 2015.



Miss Venezuela 2015--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Trujillo Jessica Duarte: The favorite to win this year's Miss Venezuela, Jessica Duarte wore this creation by Venezuelan designer Hugo Espina.
The look was BEYOND impacting. She began with the purple taffeta coat
which then she took off to reveal the blush colored pearl/caviar beaded
gown with side nude illusion insets. Trust me, the impact of her taking
off the coat was EVERYTHING! I liked the gown and all that pearl/caviar
beading but I wasn't such a fan of the deep side "nude"/illusion
insets; it didn't have to go so deep on the hip. But, to me, it was
one of the best overall evening gown looks of the pageant and of 2015.

Miss Cojedes Arriany Barrios: Arriany wore this very elegant and red carpet-ready gown from designer Valentina Cedeño. The one shoulder gown featured a nude-colored gazar section and black and silver sequined detail. One of my favorites!

Miss Falcon Herliz Ruiz: I really liked Miss Falcon's light blue
gown. The design featured interesting silver paillette sequin detail and
it fit her very well. I also liked that she looked "modern" and didn't
have the big ol' Pageant Betty hair: Gracias!

Miss Yaracuy Gessica Fiume: Jessica wore this one shoulder ivory with silver sequins creation from Venezuelan designer Hugo Espina.
The gown was very impacting. But, I argue, it should have been on a
different contestant--in another year--maybe a darker skinned girl with a
chignon hairstyle. This gown was not for this contestant.But, it was
still one of my Top Favorites.

Miss Zulia Yennifer Gonzalez: I liked this dusty pink mermaid-shaped silk zibeline gown designed by Venezuelan designer Douglas Tapia. The silhouette worked for her very statuesque
figure, and the jeweled sequin work was exquisite and properly placed up
top. This was one of the Top of 2015 Pageant Gown styles. I'm sure it will be knocked off by Pageant Gown "designers" ASAP, if it hasn't already.



**Of Note: ANY of these gowns above would have been better than what this year's Miss Venezuela at Miss Universe Mariana Jimenez wore to the Preliminary and Finals. Not sure why she didn't. But she should have!

Miss USA 2015--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Candice Bennatt Miss Louisiana USA: I really liked Candice's
gown--it was a strapless ivory gown with silver-to-gold sequin-like
applique. It was very nice. I'm not a fan of the nude/illusion panel in
the front neckline bodice but I will let it go this time since it was one of the best from this year's Miss USA pageant.

Mame Adjei Miss Maryland USA: Mame was one of my TOP FAVORITE
contestants at this year's Miss USA 2015. She was so exotic, so
beautiful--and almost won America's Next Top Model Cycle 22 as well! She wore this black applique and see-though gown for the
Miss USA 2015 Finals. I thought she looked very impacting in this style and was one of the better sheer/applique gowns from 2015. If there was a no-no, it was that the
too-sheer section went a bit too high and verged on Hoochie. But, her
gorgeous beauty made me overlook that.

Anea Garcia Miss Rhode Island USA 2015: Anea wore this ivory silk
crepe column gown with illusion and silver Swarovski crystal studded
center front panel. I thought this gown looked familiar when I first saw
it, and of course, I realized why: this gown was worn at the Miss Venezuela 2014 Pageant  by Scarliz Coa "Miss Apure". The gown was designed by Valentina
Cedeño. I have a very good feeling that this is the exact same gown,
since Miss Apure has a very similar body type; therefore this is a
borrowed sample. I really liked this gown and thought it was statuesque
and very "Miss Universo". Unfortunately, Anea "Miss Rhode Island USA"
had trouble walking in it (not sure why since the gown had that big ol' back
godet/train! It might have been about an inch too long). But it was one of the Best Gowns of the Miss USA 2015 and therefore this year overall (even though it was originally from last year--LOL!).



Miss Lebanon 2015---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Miss Lebanon Organization keeps on surpassing all others as a Gown Gorgeous Beauty Pageant--featuring gown designs from Lebanese-born Haute Couturier (and J Lo and Sofia Vergara favorite) Zuhair Murad. He is a Judge and I assume "Creative Director" for Miss Lebanon and therefore provides very, very, VERY expensive gowns for the Miss Lebanon contestants. They may not all be runway model size zero or 5' 11" but they sure as heck will fit into them! And I'm glad they do...the gowns from this year's pageant were some of the Best of 2015, including the Top Three gals:

Top Three Zuhair Murad Gals--(L to R) Valerie Abou Chacra
(winner), Jocelyne Mosleh, and Cynthia Samuel--Miss Lebanon 2015 Finals

Gowns worn by the First and Second Runner-Up--Zuhair Murad Resort 2016

Valerie Abou Chacra, the eventual Miss Lebanon 2015, wore this sheer white
sequined one shoulder gown with a side front overlap/slit and double
wrapped belt from Zuhair Murad Resort 2016

Cheers to a Fab 2015 Pageant Year and to all the Ladies who wore Fabulous gowns!

UP NEXT is my Worst of 2015 "Oh Dear/Ayyy Mija!" Beauty Pageant Gowns Blog...