SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe Thailand 2014, The Crowning, The "Elie Saab"-inspired Gowns, The Controversy

Miss Universe Thailand 2014 Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut 

Photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

This past Saturday night, in a glitzy ceremony in Bangkok's Royal Paragon Hall in the Siam Paragon shopping mall, the representative to wear the Miss Thailand sash at this year's Miss Universe pageant was crowned; Miss Universe Thailand 2014 is 22 year-old Weluree "Fai" Ditsayabut.

Stand Still Girl! Miss Universe Thailand 2013 Chalita Yaewannang crowns "Miss Universe Thailand 2014" Weluree Ditsayabut 

Swimsuit Short: The new "Miss Universe Thailand 2014" Weluree Ditsayabut

The 1.70 M (approximately 5' 6") tall beauty beat out 39 other contestants for the top title. Weluree was actually not the favorite to win, especially since she was considered short for a top "Beauty Pageant Winner" spot.

Top Three: (L to R) First Runner-Up Pimbongkod Chankaew, Miss Universe Thailand 2014 Weluree Ditsayabut, and 2nd Runner-Up Sunannipar Kritsanasuwan

Above photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

Model Fab: First Runner-Up Pimbongkod Chankaew

The favorite--Pimbongkod Chankaew--actually got First Runner-Up. And in case you were wondering, she is 5' 11" (see above pics). Usually in these international pageants, it's a good bet that the taller girls win (take a look at most of the past "Miss Venezuela's" who've been 5' 10" + for example and done quite well at the "Miss Universe" pageant). But it was not to be for this tall Thai beauty; the shorter woman won. And Congrats to her! The Controversy:

New "Miss Universe Thailand not a fan of the Red-Shirts

Soon after Weluree was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2014",--as it has been the norm--people started looking on the web and internets--and it was discovered that she had made some not-so-nice remarks on her Facebook page (it's public, kids!! Hello!).

Photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

The new Thai beauty queen had accused pro-government red-shirt supporters of being anti-monarchist and said that Thailand would be "cleaner" without them. Uh Oh! Weluree received a storm of negative comments with many saying she was "unfit" to be Miss Universe Thailand. This morning on Thai TV, she apologized for her "inappropriate behavior". Oh, and in case you don't watch BBC World News, you might not know that there's been a lot happening in Thailand--politics-wise. You might want to go HERE to brush up on that.



Now, let's discuss the GORGEOUS Gowns:

Sequined Semi-Couture: I have to say that after seeing the photos of the gowns the contestants wore at this weekend's Miss Universe Thailand 2014 pageant, I am beyond Gown-impressed! Whoever designed and created these gowns: KUDOS! If any one reading this from the Thai--or Beauty Pageant--community has any details on who designed these gowns, I'd LOVE to give them credit.

 Miss Universe Thailand Gown Inspired: Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2013 (left) and Spring 2013 (right)

The evening gowns were VERY Elie Saab Haute Couture beautiful; well-made, well-fitting, and red carpet fab. If these were not Elie Saab, these were THE BEST Knock-Off's I've ever seen!

Fashion Divas: Miss Universe Thailand 2014 contestants, Evening Gown Competition

Photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

Winner Gown: The gown that the eventual winner, Weluree Ditsayabut, wore was a blush gown with sleeves covered in sequined applique. The gown was beautiful and well-done. It was also very red carpet NOW and the new direction in Pageant Gowns. Her side-swept hair and not-too-done makeup was just right.

Right Photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

First Runner-Up--and favorite to win, Pimbongkod Chankaew, looked like PERFECTION in her nude/blush sequin-over-netting cap sleeved plunging neckline gown. This was a TEN for me. Gorgeous.

Second Runner-Up Sunannipar Kritsanasuwan: Loved this gown as well. It was another nude/blush colored netting-over-sequined applique design with sleeves and gathered bust detail. Beautiful, elegant and chic.

Speaking of Elegant and Chic...

Photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

Last year's Miss Universe Thailand, Chalita Yaewannang, looked gorgeous in this violet-gray sequins-over-netting gown. The dress was very Elie Saab Couture...and she looked every bit a QUEEN.

The Top Three: (L to R) First Runner-Up Pimbongkod Chankaew, Miss Universe Thailand 2-14 Weluree Ditsayabut, and 2nd Runner-Up Sunannipar Kritsanasuwan

Thai Miss Queens: (L to R) Miss Universe Thailand 2012 Nutpimon Farida Waller,  Miss Universe Thailand 2014 Weluree Ditsayabut, and Miss Universe Thailand 2013 Chalita Yaewannang

Photo Courtesy of thaimiss.com

Click Below for the Miss Universe Thailand 2014 Crowning Moment:

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Recap of the Gowns of "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014" Semi Finals!

 Latina Swimsuits Beauties--Nuestra Bella Latina 2014

Last night was the Semi-Final Episode Before the Finals--of this year's Nuestra Bella Latina beauty pageant and Reality TV Show. If you follow beauty pageants, you're well aware of Nuetra Belleza Latina and if not, well, the TV show is a cross between "America's Next Top Model" and "Miss Universe"--but only with Latina contestants. Castings are held across the US to find which women will make the final round to be on the show and contest.

The show is on its EIGHTH SEASON on Univision and consistently one of the highest rated TV programs for not just the Spanish-language network, Univision, but sometimes, it beats out its English-speaking counterparts that air during the same time on Sunday nights. Yes kids, it's that popular. Sunday night was the penultimate episode (next Sunday is the Final Crowning Night). The reality show/beauty contest was down to the Top Five.

Las Top Cinco: Contestants from "Nuestra Belleza Latina 2014" in their evening gowns

As part of the episode, there was an "Evening Gown" fashion show/competition. Six fashion designers--of Latino descent--are commissioned to design the gowns for the contestants throughout the season. But now for this pre-Finals episode, there were only four designers left. I wanted to Recap the Gowns of these contestants--from my Least Favorite to Most Favorite, with my "Gown Scores" (10 being the highest). So...Here we go:

Aly Villegas: Aly from Mexico and for the Semi-Finals, she wore a canary yellow slinky jersey gown from US designer of Peruvian descent designer Eduardo de las Casas. The gown was two seconds from Tacky-licious; the nude illusion panels were very 1997. Between the mock-neck and the long sleeves and too-high stacked nude platforms...I didn't know what I liked least. But then,  I focused on that VERY 1993 Prom/Quinceañera hair:

 1993: Bouffant with a side front fall.

Gown Score: 6.7

Alina Robert: Alina is originally from Cuba and was unfortunately eliminated last night. First off: she's GORGEOUS; beautiful face, great telegenic features. For the gown portion, she wore a blue halter neckline style hi-lo gown with crystal trim and black waistband designed by Colombian-born/raised in Puerto Rico fashion designer Gustavo Arango. I actually liked the dress. There was nothing extraordinary about it and yes, it looked like something one would buy at a department or prom/pageant store.

Alina's Back: With that being said, it fit her well and highlighted her shoulders and very pretty face. In terms of her hair, it was A LOT. But I didn't have a problem with it. 

Gown Score: 8.7

Nabila Tapia: Nabila hails from NY and is of Dominican Republic descent. Last night she wore a silver sequined and ivory organza gown designed by Venezuelan fashion designer Giovanni Scutaro. The style was very Miss Venezuela (no surprise there). It featured "Disco Ball" silver sequined bust cups and a fitted column gown with attached multi-ruffled back train detail.

Disco Nabila: Between her side-swept hairstyle, earrings, crystal cuff and gown...she was the ultimate "Pageant Betty". It was a little tight at the waist and hips (notice the rippling and pulling happening in the photo above), but those pageant girls always love it TOO TIGHT, unfortunately.

Gown Score: 8.9

Josephine Ochoa: Josephine is Guatemalan descent and from Los Angeles, CA. She was "Miss Guatemala U.S. 2013". The blond-haired, brown-eyed beauty wore a gold metallic and crystal gown, also from Venezuela designer Giovanni Scutaro.

Golden Girl: The column shaped gown featured a drop shoulder, high neck and very plunging back. This was one of my favorite gowns of the night. It looked perfect for Josephine. I also loved the fabrication; unusual and luxe. This is definitely not from a Prom-and-Pageant store. If only Josephine was 6 feet tall, this gown would have been an OUT OF CONTROL moment!

Gown Score: 9.0

Aleyda Ortiz: Aleyda wore a royal blue Empire-cut chiffon gown with silver sequined top detail, designed by Eduardo de las Casas. Aleyda worked this gown OVERTIME. In terms of the design, this wasn't anything earth-shaking and in fact, was very "Pageant"-expected. But it was the fact that Aleyda was wearing it...At one point, she was holding on to the chiffon over-layers and then dropped them...in a very dramatic "Pageant Fab" move captured in the one of the photos above. She was VERY "Miss Universe" contestant.

Gown Score: 9.2

Not Her First Time At The Rodeo: I think Aleyda is probably going to be the next "Nuestra Belleza Latina". This is my guess. Aleyda is no stranger to pageants and in fact, was the First Runner-Up to "Miss Puerto Rico Universe 2013" (above) and then...

Got to represent "Puerto Rico" in the "Miss Intercontinental 2013 Pageant" and also got First Runner-Up (left). I think that next Sunday, it will finally be the time she moves from First Runner-Up to being an actual Winner...We'll see!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Peru Universe 2014, Winner Jimena Espinosa, Gown Recap & Review!

 South American Beauty: Jimena Espinosa, Miss Peru Universe 2014

Last month, a new Peruvian Beauty Queen was crowned: Jimena Rumini Espinosa Vecco, 24, became the new "Miss Peru Universe" at the Parque de la Amistad in Lima Peru. The gorgeous light brown/dark blond haired beauty is 1.83 (6 feet tall)! and is a model. Jimena represented "Region Lima" (Lima region, the capital city). She also is no stranger to pageants: Jimena competed at the "World Miss University 2008" beauty pageant in South Korea. 

 Jimena Queen: Jimena Espinoza "Miss Peru Universe 2014"

As the new Miss Peru Universe Jimena gets the chance to represent her country at this year's Miss Universe pageant. No one knows where or when that will be. Last year's pageant was in Russia. I have a feeling that won't happen this year kids. 

 Peruvian Model: Jimena Espinosa, Miss Peru Universe 2014

Pageant Mini-Dresses: Contestants for Miss Peru Universe 2014 during a Final presentation to press with the outgoing Miss Peru Universe 2013--the eventual winner Jimena Espinosa who was Miss Region Lima is fourth from left in the photo.

 Swimsuit Beauties:

 Jimena Espinosa "Miss Region Lima" and future "Miss Peru Universe" during the Swimsuit Presentation--Miss Peru Universe 2014 Pageant

Elizabeth Marquez, "Miss Ica"-- Miss Peru Universe 2014 Swimsuit Presentation

The Evening Gowns:

 Over-accessorized and HUGE Earrings: Contestants for the "Miss Peru Universe 2014" beauty pageant during the Evening Gown Competition

 Finalist Gowns: Contestants for the "Miss Peru Universe 2014" Beauty Pageant

 Creme Sequined: Jimena Espinoza "Miss Region Lima" and her creme colored strapless gown--Miss Peru Universe 2014 beauty pageant

The eventual winner--Jimena Espinoza--who represented "Region Lima" wore a strapless creme colored lace-and-sequined applique gown...

Mother of The Bride Hair: The gown fit her fine and looked good. I just thought those over-the-top too long exaggerated earrings were "Too Mucheey". And that up-do was very "Mother-of-the-Bride"; she didn't look fresh or modern at all. But Jimena won for her imposing stature and can't miss presence and beauty. 

Third Runner-Up Elizabeth Marquez "Miss Ica": Elizabeth wore a white strapless sequined lace applique "Mermaid" shape gown with multi-tiers of ruffles. The gown fit her very well and was very "Pageant Betty". I am not a fan of a girl with rather big "sisters" wearing a strapless gown and as you can see from this photo...it doesn't look too good. But, I commend Elizabeth for the ivory color to stand out against her skin and overall styling.

Second Runner-Up "Miss Huanuco" Sofia del Pinho: Sofia wore a strapless red satin gown in a "Mermaid lite" shape. The dress was very "store bought" looking and the necklace, earrings and highlighted frost-and-tip hairstyle...reminded me of a girl going to a prom. In 1998.

Top 12 Semi-Finalist "Miss Pasco" Ducelia Echevarria: Ducelia wore this turquoise blue gown featuring a sheer netting/illusion torso panel, solid colored bust cups, sequins sparkled throughout and there was a detailed skirt hem.This was definitely TOO MUCH of a 1990's Pageant Throw-Back. It was also very "Figure Skating Costume". Ducelia is very pretty and she could have been more modern,/directional and red carpet fab with her gown choice; just sayin'.

First Runner-Up Ximena Montenegro "Miss Lambayeque": Ximena wore a silver sequined and feathered gown. This gown was very "Show-stopping" in terms of style and silhouette.  It was two seconds away from being a costume out of Cirque du Soleil. I still give her--and the fashion designer--points. The only thing that bothers me are those too-stacked pumps; those heels are both distracting and so not necessary.

Congrats and Felicitaciones to Jimena--the newly crowned "Miss Peru Universe".  Good Luck at "Miss Universe 2014".