Animal Prints - A Timeless fashion print

Animal Prints - A Timeless fashion print

A TIMELESS CLASSIC THAT NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE

When someone says ‘animal print’ the first thing that comes to our mind is the leopard and when worn in a classic silhouette, it adds a visual interest and a bit of glamour to your look.  Even though it seems as if animal print comes in and out of style every couple of years, it's always in and always highly glamorous.

Earlier animal prints were born out of the skin and fur of select animals, they were used by men and women as it offered protection from the elements. Throughout history, kings and other high-ranking people have worn animal skin and use animal rugs as a sign of status and power. In the 20th century, fashion designers, high-ranking people, Hollywood stars, and celebrities turned it into a fashion trend. Nowadays, many famous brands, like Prada, Betsey Johnson, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior are big supporters of animal print. Supermodels, Hollywood stars, and celebrities are also big fans of animal print.

Animal print is a fashion style that is made to resemble the pattern of the skin and fur of an animal such as leopard, cheetah, zebra, tiger, and giraffe.  Animal prints are similar to a neutral—they’re made up of brown, beige, and black, after all.  They’re seasonless, and you can wear them with almost anything, plus, they add a little edge to your wardrobe.

These wild prints can create attention anywhere you go. So going overboard won't make you more fashionable. Remember, It is always a good idea to start small and keep it simple, less is more when it comes to animal prints. Simply adding animal-print inspired jewellery, a key accessory (scarf, shoes or handbag) or one wardrobe piece (blouse or jacket) is all you need to spice up your look.

Add bright spots of colour with animal print to make a bold statement. When used in moderation this pattern is an exotic and elegant addition to our wardrobe and an edgy, yet classic, addition to our outfit.

These days animal print dresses are worn with chunky earrings are perfect for a night out. You can also opt in for cardigans with animal prints rocked with a shirt and a dark coloured trouser or a jean or a scarf to keep it stylish and subtle.

Animal print can really look great on anyone, It’s one of those timeless patterns that can work for any season.  Here are a few chic animal print pieces that will ensure you are on trend this season.

BY MALENE BIRGER Animal Print Knit Cardigan

Balmain Animal Print Skirt 

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Animal Print Pullover

BLACKCHERRY Bag Ladies Fashion Clutch Bag Animal Print

LILY & ROSE Ladies Animal Skin Detail Wallet Blue

ALEXIS BITTAR Animal Print Lucite Earrings

For a little more inspiration, take a look at how these fashion bloggers are styling their animal prints this season.

I hope these animal print style tips have given you some inspiration! Till' next time xo

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Editors notes:  This post was originally posted in July 2015 and has been updated

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

Top Trending footwear Lace up Sandals

Top Trending footwear Lace up Sandals

Top Trending footwear Lace up Sandals

Fashion, Footwear, Trends2017, Top Trending , Sandals , High Heels

The fashion runway is always upbeat with the new and the gorgeous. One such top fashion trend making its presence in the Fall of 2015 is trendy footwear. Of the lot that’s catching attention and limelight among st models, celebs and street-style owners is lace up sandals, heels and flats. This is one sultry fashion trend that helps you make a playful statement every time you walk. It’s a strappy style that is feminine and has the right attitude to be worn for shopping trips or red carpet. Rope closures make the shoes fit you Goldilocks-style. And you don’t have to break the bank to wear the Fall’s best shoe showpieces.

Lace up caged heels can be worn to work as comfortably as evenings or nights. When you go for flats, the laces give you a girly, ballet-inspired look. In fact, lace-up footwear can match with just about any style vibe of yours. We’ve rounded up some top adorable options you will love to lace up with!

1. Gladiator Style

This is an attractive lace-up which gives you a choice of multiple heights. It is available as flat sole or heel. However, you will have to be choosy in matching gladiator style with your outfits. The absence of padding in the sole can be a little discomforting. But gladiator is meant for girls who want to flaunt their style in a bohemian and individualistic style.

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2. Wedge Pattern

Wedge heels are the next best in terms of adding height to your persona. Available in multiple colours, wedges look superb with pants, skirts and dresses. Depending on your comfort factor, the wedge heel can get a bit uncomfortable when worn for a long period of time.

3. Stiletto

This is again a high heel that makes you tall and adds height. Work or night out, a stiletto is perfect for both. Wear it by all means to the socially appropriate occasions but not to the beach as you might trip in the sand.

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...