SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals: Winner + TOP 15 EVENING GOWNS!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals: Winner + TOP 15 EVENING GOWNS!

La Mas Bella: outgoing "Miss Venezuela 2016" Keysi Sayago crowns the new "Miss Venezuela 2017" Sthefany Gutierrez who was "Miss Delta Amacuro"--Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals, Caracas Venezuela

Some Photos Courtesy of MissVenezuela.com

This Thursday evening was the Finals of  one of the most anticipated beauty pageants in the world: Miss Venezuela 2017! For a short time, many pageant fans even wondered--especially since what the country has been going through--if the pageant would still happen or if they would even send contestants to "Miss Universe" and "Miss World" but Yes, Yes, and Yes, to all those inquiring mind's questions.

Top Three: (L to R) Miss Venezuela International Mariem Velezco, Miss Venezuela 2017 Sthefany Gutierrez and Miss Venezuela World Veruska Ljubisavljevic

Venezuela has the largest oil reserves IN THE WORLD but it has recently been going through some unfortunate problems. According to Reuters, the country's inflation has risen to 826% and according to The Guardian, 10 million skip a meal a day, 9/10 homes can't cover the cost of food and 3/4 of Venezuelans have lost weight an average of 20 lbs as a result of not being able to feed themselves or buy food. It's all so sad but...in Venezuela, THE SHOW MUST GO ON!!! None of the unspeakable hardships could stop the 65th Annual Miss Venezuela Beauty Pageant... 

Ayyyy Dios Mio!--Stefhany Gutierrez is the new "Miss Venezuela"--Miss Venezuela 2017 Finals, Caracas Venezuela

Fiesta Time: Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Miss Venezuela--Venezuelan singer/icon/diva Mirla Castellanos plus entertainers Jordán Mendoza, José Andrés Padrón, Natalia Moretti and Los Boys as well as hosts of the Miss Venezuela 2017 Beauty Pageant

As you may know, I grew up in Caracas Venezuela from the late 60's until the late 70's and it was a much different country than what it is now. But I will always have a special place in my heart for that South American nation. The "Miss Venezuela" Beauty Pageant inspired me to be a designer and to sketch--and particularly draw beautiful women in fabulous gowns. And now, it has inspired me to co-author my new "Pageant Coloring Book".

Sthefany Fernandez "Miss Delta Amacuro" and now, "Miss Venezuela 2017"

Now, speaking of pageants, time to discuss the WINNER as well as all the sequins, crystals and very expensive silk seen in this year's "Miss Venezuela 2017". First the winner: The representative of "Delta Amacuro" Sthefany Gutierrez, beat out 23 other beautiful women to get the coveted George Wittels-designed crown.

Sthefany is ONLY 18 years old (most recent winners have been in their early 20's), stands 176M (5' 9") and works as a model. She does not have the typical blond "Barbie" Miss Venezuela look but was still a favorite with her olive skin, gorgeous long black hair and perfect figure. She will now spend the next 12 months preparing for NEXT YEAR'S edition of Miss Universe (and hopefully learning English, if she doesn't already know it); even though she is "Miss Venezuela 2017", she will compete in the "Miss Universe 2018" Beauty Pageant.

Sequin Parade: Miss Venezuela 2017 contestants during the Evening Gown Competition Fashion Show

And now...THE GOWNS: I have NO IDEA how the Miss Venezuela Organization paid for what it costs to create these Couture-worthy gowns (especially since most Venezuelans can't even buy Harina P.A.N.!) but this year's pageant featured some intricate and UBER Glam gowns, in fact this was one of the BEST "Miss Venezuela" Gown Fashion Shows in a long time! With that said, here are my TOP 15 BEST LIST, starting with my Number One Choice, which just happened to be THE WINNER "Miss Delta Amacuro":

1. Miss Delta Amacuro (and eventual Miss Venezuela 2017 winner) Sthefany Gutierrez--Of all the 24 gowns during the "Miss Venezuela 2017 Desfile de Traje de Noche" (Evening Gown Fashion Show), this strapless sequined gown was my top favorite! The crinoline based gown was completely covered in crystals and featured a sweetheart neckline with a creme silk ziberline inner dress. The gown was designed by Alejandro Fajardo and was stage-impacting, fit gorgeously and looked like Gown Couture Art!

Score: 9.98

2. Miss Distrito Capital Sofia Santa Rodriguez--My second best gown score goes to the design worn by "Miss Distrito Capital" (she represented the capital city of Caracas). This silk gazar ballgown--designed by Alejandro Fajardo (same designer of the winner's gown)--featured a plunging neckline and conic/godet shaped pieces that formed the architectural shape of this incredible dress. I also loved the contestant's styling of her swept-back chic hair and earrings. Even one of the co-hosts--while describing the dress during the show--had to concur that this gown was SPECTACULAR!

Score: 9.85

3. Miss Potuguesa Nariman Batthika: Nariman wore this powder pink colored gown designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed. This was another stunning design worthy of those good ol' days of Venezuelan Couturiers like Guy Meliet. The dress featured that very popular "nude gown" tulle netting style, all covered in crystals, bugle beads and pearls in varying sizes. Through extraordinary patternmaking and technical artistry, his atelier then attached a voluminous pink satin overskirt. Beautiful!

Score: 9.70 

4. Miss Zulia Mariangel Galban: Miss Zulia came at the end of the Miss Venezuela 2017 Evening Gown Fashion Show because her state Zulia was the last one--in terms of alphabetical order. After a slew of endless all-over sequined/crystal, nude/gold/blush colored gowns...this GORGEOUS vision of red silk ziberline appeared and I literally got up from my couch and clapped! (I know, I'm gown-silly like that!). This "Valentino Red" color dress made of Italian silk ziberline was designed by designer Joan Delgado and he did a marvelous job. It was dramatic, elegant and architectural.

Score: 9.65

5. Miss Barinas Mariem Velazco: This white gown from designer Alejandro Fajardo is my 5th pick. The dress was A LOT but somehow, it worked. The gown, which was made of silk crepe and gazar featured an asymmetrical column dress with nude panels, covered in incredible silver sequin applique. It looked like a Wedding Gown from "Game of Thrones" (or at least MY dream-like "Game of Thrones"!).

Score: 9.50

6. Miss Aragua Oriana Rodriguez: This dress above was the gown worn by Miss Aragua Oriana Rodriguez for the Finals of Miss Venezuela 2017. The design was made of ivory silk crepe and nude illusion, cut into panels that created a fit-and-flare silhouette. The beautifully-fitting dress was designed by Julio Mora and featured thousands of degrade-style crystals. I loved the heavy-to-light sequin work and the panels were done in an exquisitely sexy yet not vulgar manner. Muy bien!

Score: 9.40

7. Miss Vargas Versuska Ljubisavljevic: This royal blue colored sequined gown--designed by Benito Santos--was one of the most striking dresses of the pageant. The color was bold and stage-impacting. Inspired by an "Ocean Queen", the design featured thousands of Austrian crystals, an illusion panel neckline and silver crystal waist.

Score: 9.35

8. Miss Nueva Esparta Yerardy Montoya: Yearady wore an ensemble/gown which included an extravagant cape made of thousands of ostrich as well as Coque/rooster feathers fully lined in pink silk satin. She started with this and then released her coat/cape to reveal a beautiful pink sequined applique gown. It was a VERY INTENSE entrance which I admired and the entire look was quite fabulous!

Score: 9.25

9. Miss Falcon Bilianniz Alvarez: Bilianniz wore this golden/nude gown designed by Hugo Espina. The gown featured a column shape with a nude tulle base and golden colored "petal"-like sequins in varying sizes. It was simple, sequin-stunning and an impressive Pageant Fab gown.

Score: 9.20

 

10. Miss Tachira Maria Sofia Contreras: Maria Sofia wore this silver/ivory/lilac/nude gown from designer Dheymid Galaviz. It was pretty impressive! The gown featured 10,000+ pastel colored sequins sewn on the gown, a "plunging" neckline with nude illusion panel, as well as dramatic back falls...oh and yes, there were baby blue colored ostrich feathers on the hem of the gown and those falls. I would have probably removed those feathers, otherwise, this was a VERY FABULOUS gown.

Score: 9.15

11. Miss Amazonas Megan Beci: Megan wore this golden/nude VERY Versace-like sequined gown. The dress featured asymmetric lines, a nude base and thousands of crystals. It was a clean, chic and modern gown from Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza, known for creating gowns for these Colombian beauties:

 Score: 9.10

12. Miss Merida Yoselin Rojas: This fit-and-flare shaped gown was designed by Carlos Ferrera and featured a "nude" tulle base with 300 meters of crystals and pearls sewn in a magnificent manner covering all the necessary parts. She looked like an Ice Queen! And I have to add: Notice that in this and all the other "nude"/see-through gowns there was NEVER any tacky inner lining as we saw in the gowns worn by Miss Grand Indonesia and Miss Grand South Sudan at the "Miss Grand International" HERE. Well done Carlos!

Score: 9.00

13. Miss Yaracuy Rosangela Matos: When the co-announcer was describing this Honicer Sandoval gown, she said it was Art Nouveau and Art Deco-inspired. Not sure where that "inspiration" is (maybe the gold?) but it was an impressive work of fashion art! The mermaid-shaped dress featured 30,000 gold and amber crystals fitted very close to her body, showcasing the lines of the strapless bustier and shaped skirt, all culminating in hundreds of Coque/rooster feathers. Notice the heavy-to-light crystal work...and the silver crystals that looked like exaggerated princess seams. While it was slightly gaudy, it still looked rich and fabulously extravagant. Rosangela looked like she was OOZING gold!

Score: 8.99

14. Miss Miranda Oriana Gil: At No. 14, I wanted to add this design by Carlos Ferrera worn by Miss Miranda Oriana Gil. First off: She is GORGEOUS! OK, frankly, they ALL were! Moving on... when she walked out, she wore this Empire-waist tulle concoction and at first I thought "Ooooh, someone is trying to give a Giambattista Valli Moment"(and not so well!) and then I thought "I bet she's going to remove it ASAP!" (I hope!). And she did...well, kind of; when she untied it, it drew gasps since, it turned into the overskirt of a quite stunning sequined column gown that she was hiding underneath. The tulle thing was a MESS and did not flatter her at all and then it looked so unnecessary once she displayed the dress underneath. The saving graces were: Oriana was GORGEOUS (I think I already said that!), and the inner dress was quite pretty.

Score: 8.85

15. Miss Sucre Zharat Bruzal: Last but not least, I included this ivory colored gown worn by Miss Sucre. The dress looked well-done and was VERY "Miss Venezuela" circa 1980's; look at the crystal bustier, the cascade overskirt, those OUT OF CONTROL earrings AND THAT HAIR!!!! OMG!!! I literally thought I was 8 years old and still back in Caracas watching Gilberto Correa hosting this darn over-the-top show! And for that, I had to include her!

Score: 8.10

CONGRATULATIONS & Felicitaciones to Sthefany Gutierrez and her "Miss Venezuela 2017" Royal Court!! 

And don't forget to go to AMAZON.COM to Purchase my NEW "The Pageant Coloring Book". There are over 25 hand-drawn Pageant Gown Sketches for you to create your very own Evening Gown Competition! Click HERE to purchase:

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Met Gala 2017 BEST DRESSED!

WHO WORE WHAT?.....Met Gala 2017 BEST DRESSED!

La Queen Katy: Katy Perry arrives at the Met Gala 2017 in Maison Margiela Couture Spring/Summer 2017

Tonight was the Met Gala. In case you have been living under a (Fashion) rock for a while, this is THE FASHION Prom, or the Oscars of the East Coast. The Met Gala--formally called the Costume Institute Gala and also known as the Met Ball--is an annual fundraising gala to raise funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute and signals the opening of a new exhibition...

Metropolitan Museum of Art: "Art of In-Between" Exhibition featuring the work of Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garcons

This year's exhibition pays homage to the work of Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garcons with "Art of In-Between" (Photo above), opening May 4th and running through September 4th. Rei Kawakubo is known for her avant-garde and ability to challenge the traditional notions of good taste, what's "fashionable" and on-trend. Kawakubo has built an empire on making people think about fashion on a different level--or more specifically in dualisms: Clothes/Not Clothes, Male/Female, Fashion/Anti-Fashion, and so on. Now, before I discuss my Best Dressed/Favorite of the night and in the event that you are still not aware of what Comme des Garcons' design philosophy is, here is an amuse-bouche:

Rei Kawakubo Comme des Garcons 

So...with that out of the way, there was a certain expectation on my part, at least, to see some FABULOUS avant-grade, or at the very least, slight nods to this or Comme des Garcons and this dualism theme of hers and the brand. And this is also how I chose my Best Dressed. Sorry but not sorry to all the Selena Gomez lovers out there but this pretty creme-colored dress designed by Coach (they do gowns now?) missed the mark:

NOT MY BEST DRESSED: Selena Gomez in Coach at the Met Gala 2017

Completely. It was nice and perfect for a black-tie upscale wedding in NYC, but the Met Gala? Nope. Sorry. I get that she's young (well, 24 ain't that young!) but yeah, I get NADA, Nothing, Zip...of a even the slightest of nods to Kawakubo or Comme des Garcons or anything UBER Haute Fashion. I want a little bit of DRAMA huney! And BTW: What is with those shoes???



OK, now that I got that off my chest...time to move on to my Best Dressed Top 15:

Katy Perry in Maison Margiela Couture Spring/Summer 2017: Now THIS is how you pay homage to Rei Kawakubo and Commes des Garcons. She may not have been wearing the genius' designs but she was doing her part by attending in another Fashion Bad Girl--I mean boy--John Galliano and his design for Maison Margiela Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 collection.

Maison Margiela Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2017 by John Galliano

I loved this red tulle, sequined and crinoline concoction. It featured one of Kawakubo's favorite colors: scarlet red. And played on the notion of Fashion/Not Fashion, Soft/Hard, Romantic/Fierce, avant-garde, as well as a "Blood Bride" perhaps. I love when fashion makes one think, stop, pause, cause conversation, and Comme des Garcons always does and so does this. Thank you Katy: You nailed it huney!

Zendaya in Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015: Zendaya showed up to the Met Gala 2017 to slay it. And she did. I loved this over-the-top printed silk SUPER ballgown. The gown was from Dolce & Gabban Alta Moda Fall/Winter 2015 collection. It's not "vintage" but it wasn't recent and yes, if one were to order this, it would set you back $100,000+...

I loved the romantic edge with the extreme fabulousity that Rei Kawakubo would probably admire. Just for the hair alone, I bow to her (and her stylists!) huney!

Rihanna in Comme des Garcons Fall/Winter 2016--Three Words: Go On Rihanna! I know that this is a bit cray-cray but HELLO! Newsflash: It's an homage to Comme des Gracons kids! Educate yourselves! Miss Rihanna wore this volant-filled look straight from the runways and the Comme des Garcons Fall/Winter 2016 collection shown a year ago. Naturally, she had to add her own twist and style it with those Diva leg-strapped heels. Thank you Rihanna for giving me SOMETHING and for wearing Comme des Garcons to a Comme des Garcons Met Gala! Not sure how she sat down to eat...or just sat down period but hey, sometimes one must suffer for fashion.

Lily Collins in Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016: I loved this look on Lily Collins. She wore a strapless ballgown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2016. The gown is probably a $100,000 design exquisitely hand-made of tulle, duchesse silk satin and hand applied crystals. It's sweet and perfect for a Billionaire Heiress Sweet Sixteen bash but Lily made it fresh, more modern with that cropped black wig, honoring Rei Kawakubo's iconic hairstyle. Take a lesson Selena Gomez on how to make pretty just a little off-putting and more Comme des Garcon-ish.

 Solange Knowles in Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2017: I know that many people out there will think "Oh No Nick!" but YASSSSSSSSS!!!! I thank Solange for GIVING ME! Thank goodness this wasn't a basic creme colored evening dress. That's not what the Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons Met Gala 2017 is about darlings! Solange got it! Loved this black puffy jacket with train ensemble. In case you didn't read a recent WWD Trend Alert article HERE, it's all about the Puffy Jacket huney! And those shoes were EVERYTHING!!!

Lily Aldridge in Ralph Lauren Custom: Model Lily gave her best avant-garde Fashion Diva look at the Met Gala 2017 with this white silk jersey gown with skin-revealing peek-a-boos from---of all brands--Ralph Lauren! Yes, kids, RAPLH LAUREN! This has NOTHING to do with Ralph Lauren but I am willing to give it a pass only because she looked AMAZING! That's why I put her in my Best Dressed Top 15. But seriously, she could have just said this was by "John Smith of Pocoima" and I would have believed that more than RALPH LAUREN! #JustSaying

Tracee Ellis Ross in Comme des Garcons: I LOVED this bold blue coat on Tracee Ellis Ross! It was dramatic, fashionable and OMG: It was from Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons! I admired the simple cocooning-like effect and what a fabulous statement it made. Miss Tracee's momma done taught her right in terms of simple drama and CHIC!

Lily-Rose Depp in Chanel: I absolutely loved this bubblegum pink strapless ballgown on Lily-Rose Depp. The design is from Chanel. The drop-waist design seems simple and classic and yet, there is the added detail of the sequined roses (for Lily-Rose perhaps?) and raw hem. Her makeup (those fab cat-eyes!) and hair were GORGEOUS! One could argue and say "well, what does bubblegum pink and a pretty ballgown have to do with Comme des Garcons?". Not much, but...she certainly created a striking image and I'm sure Rei would approve of that!

Rose Byrne in Ralph Lauren Custom: Once again, I am TOTALLY at a loss at what this plunging neckline tulle ballgown has to do with Ralph Lauren. But, I still give Rose and the fashion house of Ralph Lauren credit for this look. She looked beautiful and she did wear the color of the night: Comme des Garcons red. It was definitely a statement...and a good one!

Zoe Kravitz in Oscar de la Renta: Zoe Kravitz wore this Millenial Pink gown from Monse designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia. The duchesse silk satin gown featured an overcape and bust accented with black ruffled embellishments. She looked regal and supremely chic. While this might have been a better outfit for a Balenciaga Gala Tribute, I still put her in my Top 15 Best Dressed just because she gave me something! And something dramatic and quite fabulous.

Blake Lively in Atelier Versace: Blake Lively gave everyone a serving of gold-and-feathered couture in this golden and blue feather gown from Atelier Versace. The hand-made $100,000+ costing gown (Blake got it for free) looked amazing on her and made her a Stand-out at the Met Gala 2017 red carpet.

Elle Fanning in in Miu Miu: Elle Fanning looked ethereal, gorgeous and the vision of a Romance Princess in this strapless baby blue silk chiffon gathered Empire-cut gown from Miu Miu. Now, I don't know what this design and style has to do with the "Prada Junior" line of Miu Miu but once again, I guess I have to suspend fashion belief. Irregardless of this, I still included Fanning in my Top 15 Best Dressed. The gown was GORGEOUS, dramatic and she looked incredible. Would Rei Kawakubo approve of such prettiness and Romanticism? Probably not. But at least, she made a Gown Statement!

Aymeline Valade in Marni: French model Aymeline Valade looked INCREDIBLE in this blue satin and gold sequined suit from the Italian fashion house of Marni and its incoming designer Francesco Risso. This suit was GOOOOOORGEOUS! If you're going to wear a suit to the Met Gala, this is it!

Amy Fine Collins in Thom Browne: Vanity Fair writer Amy Fine Collins looked so super chic, I couldn't miss placing her in my Top 15 Best Dressed of the 2017 Met Gala. I loved this "Victor/Victoria" tuxedo-meets-sequined gown from Thom Browne; it blended that dualism context of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons to a "T"! 

Finally...

Dakota Johnson in Gucci Custom: Dakota Johnson wore this black silk gown with ruffed detail from Gucci/Alessandro Michele. Some say this was a bit "Gothic" but I actually think it was quite Romantic and beautiful but yet still a but directional to possibly satisfy La Kawakubo! 

So there you have it: My Top 15 Best Dressed of the 2017 Met Gala! Who were YOUR favorites??