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Miss Chile Maria Jesus Matthei: One of my favorite gowns of all the Miss Universe 2013 Evening Gown Portraits. This salmon pink colored chiffon gown with copper sequined neck-piece, waistband and shirred bodice is a stunner; very red carpet, very chic. Her high-ponytail hairdo makes her look rather severe but it works with this gown. I hope, however that for the Preliminaries, she doesn't do this hair style.


Miss Jamaica Kerrie Baylis: Now this is a GOWN! Mermaid-shaped black sequined applique with feathered bottom. It's a lot but...it works. Diva Fab for sure.








Miss Australia Olivia Wells: Sweet, elegant and "Elie Saab Lite"...in other words, I like. This off-white gown with side lace detail, sweeping train and metallic waistband is just right and very red carpet modern for a beauty pageant. Her hair style looks a tad "I'm Going To Lunch" but I'm OK with it. At least, she's not all bouffant "Pageant Betty".




Miss Colombia Lucia Aldana: This is a very nice gown on Miss Colombia. There's nothing extraordinary about this silver & lilac-hued sequined one-shoulder strap gown but there's also nothing wrong. It's "Pageant Safe" but Very Good Pageant Safe.






Miss France Hinarani de Longeaux: One of the favorites to win the crown--Hiranari, did not disappoint in her choice of gown for the Miss Universe 2013 Evening Gown Portrait. This blush-colored chiffon and sequined gown is both red carpet fab and very runway. It definitely sweetens her. I hope, however, that Hinarani VAMPS it up when it actually comes time for the Preliminaries and Final Telecast. This contestant needs to be ALL ABOUT SEXY Goddess! Maybe, she should think about borrowing this gown she wore at the Tony Ward Couture runway show:








Miss India Manasi Mogue: Manasi wore this silver sequined gown with high side slit and side peplum detail. I'm NOT A FAN of the stacked black pumps but the gown is a Razzle Dazzle of a gown! Impacting, showstopper and sexy fab! If she did away with those stacked heels, the dress would also be the right length.






Miss Israel Yityish Aynaw: Simply perfect. A caviar-beaded ivory gown. Simple, great fit and perfect for her. It's not Couture-directional but THANK GOODNESS, it's not "Pageant Barbie" tacky either. Sublime.






Miss Philippines Ariella Arida: Ariella's gown choice for her Evening Gown Portrait is a safe but good one. This royal blue chiffon gown with silver sequined brooch accents is pretty and elegant. If there is any critique, those big ol' dangling earrings were so not necessary, especially when there were enough "jewels" in the sequined brooches. Say NO to over accessorizing. Please. PS: her hair and makeup are quite lovely.




Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez: Fabulosa! Monic chose this black gown featuring a charmeuse skirt, sequined applique top and ruffled peplum. It's two minutes from being a little "Figure Skating Costume-ish" but it works, especially with the entire styling, her side swept hair and gorgeous makeup.




Miss Thailand Chalita Yaemwannang: Chalita wore this teal-green mermaid shaped gown that was very Zac Posen/Vera Wang-ish in its style. This was very Sofia Vergara Va-Va-Voom. I liked this gown and all its details, I just didn't like her hair; A slicked-back chignon would have added A LOT of elegance to the entire look.




Miss Trinidad and Tobago Catherine Miller: This was a nice silver-and-nude gown choice for Catherine. The sequin detail is interesting and red carpet fab! On a negative note: it's too short. Note to all beauty pageant girls: I don't want to see those big ol' pumps! #Tacky.




Miss Singapore Shi Lim: I'm not sure what is happening in the front since this is a side view, but I like it nonetheless. This silver-gray jersey gown has a 1930s vibe in its cut and side arm detail that I appreciate. It's very elegant and right for her.





Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler: Miss Venezuela wore this blush colored gown with silver sequin detail. It's a very nice gown and I have no problem with it (that's why she's here in my "Great" bunch) but I feel she's a little too covered up. I also don't like her hair. Gabriela modeled in the Tony Ward Couture show...




...and this was one of the gowns she wore and well, she looked A THOUSAND TIMES better in this--especially with slicked-back hairstyle. I hope she "brings it" like this above when it comes to the Preliminaries and Final telecast (if she gets one of the coveted Semi-Finalist spots).




Miss Vietnam Tru'o'ng Thi May: Finally this was one of my favorite gowns form this year's "Miss Universe Evening Gown Portraits". I loved the color, the silhouette and the fit. It was very impacting, elegant with a stage appeal and need I add...







**Up Next: My "Miss Universe 2013 Evening Gown Portraits" "Oh No She Didn't/Ayyy Mija!" Group...Stay Tuned!!

Las Mejor! (Translation: The Best)







Last night was the all-important Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas. All of the 89 contestants from all over the World who are competing for the title of Miss Universe 2012, paraded in front of a set of judges--different from the ones in the Final Telecast next Wednesday December 19th--in Evening Gown and Swimsuit. The top 15 vote-getters of these preliminaries will be announced during the Live Telecast as the Semi-Finalists. One additional lovely lady, by "Fan Vote" gets to be in the group, to make it a total of 16 Semi-Finalists. So, let's get to my favorites of the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown section:



No. 1:



Miss Croatia Elizabeta Burg: I loved this gown when they published the "Official Website Evening Gown Portraits" and I still LOVE it now! It is SO red carpet award show appropriate FAB, so "Classic Modern", so elegant but sexy (look at that back) and there was NO HOOCHIE SLIT, no obvious Stripper Platform Heels....it was a lesson in How To Dress For a Beauty Pageant 2012.



No. 2:


Miss Puerto Rico Bodine Koehler: I thought this blush/light pink fit-to-flare gown was beautiful. Again: No too-high slit, nothing too HOOCHIE, no sign of the too-high pumps...this was sweet and yes, FABULOSO! Love that 8" horsehair that is stiffening the hem of the gown by the way--that's a sign of Alta Moda darlings!



No. 3:


Miss Lebanon Rina Chibany: Speaking of Alta Moda, Miss Universe Labanon, is next on my "Nick Faves" list. Rina wore an emerald green gown featuring a plunging neckline, a dropped shoulder, fitted waist and gorgeous paillettes. Of course, I recognized this gown right away:







No. 4:


Miss Georgia Tamar Shadania: Tamar wore a strapless silver and ivory gown with lots of sequins. This was definitely a stand-out of a gown--one of the best in the "All-Over Sequin" category.



No. 5:


Miss Guatemala Laura Godoy: I thought this was an impressive showing in the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown portion. Miss Universe Guatemala's gown was a fit-to-flare style, very well-made and very-well fitted, and the silver sequins/crystals were done fabulously! It was stunning and definitely, "Miss Universe"-material.



No. 6:


Miss Bahamas Celeste Marshall: The tall and very beautiful Celeste wore a silver metallic and black organza gown--fit-to-flare shape (a favorite of these girls!). I thought the gown was great; elegant yet still show-stopping and not "Pageant Betty" typical.



No. 7:


Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus: Miss Universe Brazil caused me to say a loud "WOW" as I watched the Preliminaries via Ustream last night. In this photo you cannot tell, but she looked AMAZING! This golden sequin gown was perfect, especially for her and she WORKED it OVER TIME, in terms of her aplomb. She HAS to be a Semi-Finalist; if I was a judge.



No. 8:


Miss Indonesia Maria Selena: Here's another golden-colored gown and yes, one of my favorites of the bunch...on Miss Universe Indonesia. She looked chic and very "Miss Universe"-like in this gold lame gown with feathers and princess-seam slit. It was a nice change from what she wore for the "Miss Universe 2012 Evening Gown Portraits" HERE.



No. 9:


Miss Tanzania Winfrida Dominic: Love this gown and love this girl. The combination of this beautiful girl and this great gown: Perfect. I'm usually not a fan of iridescent organza but here, it's beyond fab!



No. 10:


Miss Kosovo Diana Avdiu: Calling Grecian Goddess...via Miss Universe Kosovo. If I had to style a movie based on Athena or Aphrodite, this would be the gown I would put my actress in. Best in an Ivory-colored Gown. Hands down!



No. 11:


Miss Thailand Nutpimon Farida Waller: Miss Universe Thailand looked beautiful in this iridescent white and silver sequined strapless fit-to-flare gown. It was very Marchesa. The crystal detail was gorgeous. And once again, it was MUCH better than what she wore for the "Miss Universe Evening Gown Website Official Portraits" (Seriously: Do they FORCE these girls to wear tacky dresses they do not want to wear for those website portraits?).



No. 12:


Miss Singapore Lynn Tan: Elegant. Classic. Very Carolina Herrera. Love. Very Red Carpet Award Show. This ivory duchesse satin fit-to-flare gown with black lace applique exudes "Glamour". Therefore, I love it! Good job Miss Universe Singapore!



No. 13:


Miss Jamaica Chantal Zaky: OK, if one was just looking at this photo above, it would seem as she was very "Pageant Typical" in her gown choice, etc. But, let me say that she was NOT; she was UBER Fabulous! She WORKED this golden sequin gown to no end and eventually, made me have to say that "This Girl is Miss Universe Material!". The long earrings are not really necessary but other than that: YOU GO Miss Jamaica!



No. 14:



Miss Venezuela Irene Esser: Irene has "chispa" (as they say in Venezuela)--it roughly translates into "spark" as in "she's got a 'spark'...something extra special". And yes, she does, it was very obvious even on my computer screen while watching the Preliminaries. In terms of her evening gown, it wasn't one of my TOP favorites, but...it was still in the Good bunch! I loved the sequined striped black and nude detail of the torso portion, down to the hips. But to be honest, I just wasn't a fan of the flamenco ruffled-and-feathered bottom section. It looked a little bit tacky-licious. I just wish, the entire gown would have been the same as the torso. And similar to the fantastic Zuhair Murad dress that Blake Lively wore:







Lastly...No. 15:


Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez: One word: wow. It's a hot-shorts sequined leotard with an ATTACHED gown-skirt. Who knew? Is this a "Pageant Evening Gown Trend"? I somehow missed? I hope not, to be honest. I was very much "on the fence" with this gown. The fact that it's a sequined hot-short GOWN is a bit Drag Queen Krazee. And maybe that's why I like it. But at the same time, it is a questionable choice. If a top A-List actress wore this on the red carpet...there would be HE** to pay. Trust me. I'd be talking about it the next day. For sure. But something about Karina's beautiful face, hair and the way she "walked it", made me feel that she belonged here...in my Top 15 Best.




***Next Up: The "Miss Universe 2012 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown "Oh Dear's!": My "Questionable Choices" for Gowns...