SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2013 Final Telecast EVENING GOWN Recap/Review, The Top Ten Gowns + More!

Thumbs Up: Maria Gabriela Isler "Miss Venezuela" and new "Miss Universe 2-13" gives the thumps-up after winning "Miss Universe 2013" beauty pageant--Crocus City Hall Moscow Russia

Last night a new "Miss Universe" was crowned. 25 year-old, 5' 10" tall Maria Gabriela Isler--of Venezuelan Spanish/Mestiza (mixed) and Swiss/German descent (her grandfather is from Switzerland and she holds dual Venezuelan and Swiss citizenship) beat out 85 other beauties from all over the world for the top crown. She was one of the favorites and yes, she was on my Top 15 Predictions List --I got TEN out of the actual Top 16--and I also predicted FIVE "extras"--take a look HERE.

Top Two Besos: (left to right) "Miss Venezuela" Gabriela Isler and "Miss Spain" Patricia Rodrguez--Miss Universe 2013 Crocus City Hall Moscow Russia

Gown Wrap-Up--Let's begin with the outgoing "Miss Universe 2012" Olivia Culpo, and what she wore:

Blue Miss: Huney....what is this? Wait, let me answer this: it is a MESS. Usually, all the outgoing "Miss Universes" chose this moment to "GIVE"--as the Gays will say. Well, she missed it. This blue side slit printed chiffon over solid colored gown was such a miss. It looked very polyester-y and rather cheap.This is the moment you want to give DRAMA and elegance and I-Can-Afford-a-Stylist-and-You-Cannot...but, like I said, this was a miss. And it didn't stop there...

Empress Josephine Not: There are false rumors that Olivia is pregnant (with her boyfriend Nick Jonas) and this Empire-cut gown isn't helping the rumors. This gown was also a mess. I get the whole "Empress Josephine/Napoleon" look but this wasn't grand, Couture-like or fabulous. It was dowdy and rather costume-y. The shoulder details/puffy sleeves were awkward to say the least. Not a cute "three-quarter shot". Oh well. She's beautiful and will so be a host on E! like tomorrow!



Here's a suggestion of what you should have worn:

 NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul--Models in two of my NIKOLAKI gowns

A Favorite for the Crown to NOT make the Finals, "Miss Poland" Paulina Krupinska and the Evening Gown She Wore:

Neon Yellow Hi-Lo: "Miss Poland" Paulina Krupinksa

"Miss Poland" Paulina Krupinska, was on EVERYONE'S list to make the Top 15 and in fact win...but it wasn't so. None of that happened. She did look FABULOUS at the Tony Ward Couture runway show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia though. After seeing what she would have probably worn if she was chosen as one of the Semi-Finalists, I am happy that she listened to me (he he!) and didn't wear this cheap-looking "Prom & Pageant" dress:

 "Miss Poland" Paulia Krupinska--"Miss Universe 2013" Preliminaries Evening Gown Competition

The Top Ten and Top Five "Miss Universe 2013" contestants in Evening Gown--"Miss Universe 2013" Crocus City Hall Moscow Russia

 I want to begin with the WINNER--"Miss Venezuela" Maria Gabriela Isler:

"Miss Venezuela" (and new "Miss Universe") Gabriela Isler--"Molly" changed the gown that she wore during the Preliminaries and wore the same gown she wore for her Miss Universe Website "Evening Gown Portrait"--a silver and nude sequined gown with sleeves by Alejandro Fajardo.

Dumped Gown: Her "Change of Gown probably happened as a result of the fact that the stunning silk ziberline and Swarovski-crystal Gionni Straccia gown she wore for the Preliminaries (photo above), well..she could barely make it down the stairs in--it weighed 15 kilos and somehow, she didn't practice moving in it--and when it came time for her to have "her moment", she failed--in that gown. I suggested she have the Miss Universe Wardrobe Department create a center back slit in it but I guess she figured that there was no time for that and that she should just wear the gown she wore for the Website Portrait.



Here are My Miss Universe 2013 Live Telecast "Top Ten Evening Gown Review--from Bottom o he Best:

 No. 10, "Miss Dominican Republic" Yaritza Reyes: Yaritza wore a different gown form what she wore during the Preliminaries and Gracias a Dios for that. I thought the one she wore at the Preliminaries (right photo) was dowdy and "Mother-of-the-Bride"-ish and well, she sexed it up for the Final Live Telecast.  I loved that she wore her hair down but I felt the fact that there was so much skin showing--a la the see-through chiffon illusion--made the whole look a little on the HOOCHIE side--and especially all the close-together gold detail in THAT area--instead of drawing my eye away from there--it made me want to look there--and that's not bueno.

No. 9 "Miss USA" Erin Brady: Erin wore the same gown she wore for the Preliminaries and it was just OK. I liked the bright red color and bugle beading, but it just seemed so 1990's in its overall styling--the pouffy hair, the too big earrings.

No. 8 "Miss Brazil" Jakelyne Oliviera: Same gown as the Preliminaries.  I liked her gown. It featured a salmon pink colored sequined fabrication and high side front slit. The silver and multicolored crystal accents looked well done. She did not--however--need those oversized hoop earrings--just those accessories took the look to an almost late 90s tacky Pageant edge.

No. 7 "Miss Ecuador" Constanza Baez: Constanza wore a mint green gown featuring vertical sequins and feathers, a fitted bodice and side front slit (naturally!). It was a little Vegas Showgirl. While I liked the color, it was a little too predictable and too "pageant"-y. The big hair and those silver sequined platform heels did not help. But Felicitaciones to Constanza for being the first "Miss Ecuador" to get into the Top Five in the "Miss Universe" pageant! The gown, by the way was designed by Venezuelan designer Franco Montoro and...

It was similar to this gown (also by Montoro) worn at this year's "Miss Venezuela" by "Miss Apure 2013"(photo above)

No. 6 "Miss Great Britain" Amy Willerton: First of all, Thank goodness she didn't wear the purple-and-white ombre "Scrunchie" mermaid-shaped gown she wore during the Preliminaries (above). Many on the web liked it but I did not; it was tacky and too mucheey. So, needless to say, someone told her and she wore a different, more form-fitting "Lady In Red" style gown. This was a good choice. Much better. Unfortunately, she still wore that diamante necklace and those Stripper-like metallic platform heels.

No. 5 "Miss India" Manasi Moghe: I liked this salmon pink sequins-and-feathered gown when she wore it during the Preliminaries and I also liked it when she reached the Top Ten.

No. 4 "Miss Philippines" Ariella Arida: Ariella was one of my top favorites to win the crown. She excelled during the Live Telecast last night. I predicted she would be the winner of the "Internet Fan Vote" and she was. But I feel that even without this, she still would have made it into the Top 15 easily. I liked her bright neon yellow/chartreuse gown from Colombian couturier Alfredo Barraza, but more importantly I was thrilled she wore her hair down and straight.

No. 3 "Miss Spain" Patricia Gonzalez: I placed Patricia as one of my "Top Three" for her Evening Gown because she looked beautiful, her gown was very pretty and just perfect. The silver and ivory sequined gown with white tulle "mermaid" godets sculpted her figure, made her look like a princess and yes, worthy of (almost) getting the top crown.

No. 2 "Miss Ukraine" Olga Storozhenko: Olga looked radiant and absolutely a floating goddess in this gown. I LOVED this gown when she wore it for the Preliminaries and I have not changed my opinion now. The silver sequin beaded neckline is stunning and the shirring/pleated torso draping is fab and all that chiffon "drama" is exquisite.

No. 1 "Miss Venezuela" Gabriela Isler: Yes kids, my top gown is the Alejandro Fajardo-designed dress worn by the Winner--Maria Gabriela Isler "Miss Venezuela". Part of me wished she had worn the Gionni Straccia gown she wore during the Preliminaries but, I think it was a good choice to change. Hers was the only gown with sleeves and better, she could move easily in it--during the final telecast Evening Gown Competition. I thought the sequin "striped" detail was wonderful, the shape was great, but I wasn't a fan of the sheer/nude center front bust panel. I also noticed the hem was "flipping up"--this happens to a lot of my own gown as well (the stiff horsehair interlining the hem does this on some hems)--so I give her--and the designer a "pass". Overall, this was my Top Gown of the night.



So, what did YOU guys think? What were YOUR Favorite Evening Gowns from the "Miss Universe 2013" Live Telecast Top Ten? Let me know below in your comments and why....

Until Next Time!

SASHES AMD TIARAS.....Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler WINS Miss Universe 2013 in Moscow Russia: 7th Win for Venezuela!

 Bella Molly: Maria Gabriela Isler, "Miss Venezuela" becomes "Miss Universe 2013"--Miss Universe Pageant Crocus City Hall Krasnogorsk Moscow Oblast, Russia

Last night at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow Russia, a new "Miss Universe" was crowned: Maria Gabriela Isler became the SEVENTH beauty from Venezuela to be crowned "Miss Universe"! Gabriella--or "Molly" as her closets of friends call her--was a front-runner from the minute she arrived in Moscow several weeks ago ahead of the international beauty pageant.

 Here's Your Crown..Now, I Gotta Go...Gabriela Isler "Miss Universe 2013" trying to be crowned by the outgoing "Miss Universe 2012" USA's Olivia Culpo

 Ooops, Where's My Crown? Gabriel Isler "Miss Venezuela" and new "Miss Universe" tries to get a hold of her slippery/always falling crown--

The 1.78 m (5' 10") tall beauty beat out 85 other gorgeous women from all over the world for the coveted international beauty crown. Once it got down to the Top Five Finalists, there were FOUR
Latinas--"Miss Venezuela", "Miss Spain", "Miss Brazil" and "Miss
Ecuador", and one from Asia, "Miss Philippines"...

Top Five: (left to right) "Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler, "Miss
Philippines" Ariella Arida, "Miss Spain" Patricia Rodriguez, "Miss
Brazil" Jakelyne Oliveira, and "Miss Ecuador" Constanza Baez--Miss
Universe 2013 Pageant Moscow Russia

As hosts Thomas Roberts and former Spice Girls Mel B. announced the First Runner-up and Winner, there was a bit of confusion and the winner--Gabriela Isler from Venezuela, thought "Miss Spain" Patrica Rodriguez had won, until well, Olivia Culpo (last year's "Miss Universe") came over and crowned her--Miss Venezuela--as THE WINNER!

 Ivory Top Two: "Miss Venezuela" Gabriela Isler (left) and "Miss Spain" Patricia Rodriguez (right)--Miss Universe 2013 Pageant Moscow Russia

Click below to watch the crowning moment video that was NOT shown in the US (forward to 2:18 when "Miss Venezuela" realizes SHE won and NOT "Miss Spain"):

Maria Gabriela Isler was crowned "Miss Venezuela 2012" in August of last year (photo above)--therefore she had over a year of training for this "Miss Universe" moment...

 Here are some HIGHLIGHTS of Gabriela Isler "Miss Venezuela" as she competed for the "Miss Universe 2013" title:

Model Fabulosa: "Miss Venezula" Gabriel Isler modeling in the Tony Ward Couture runway show two weeks ago--Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2014 Russia

National Costume: "Miss Venezuela" Gabriel Isler as Doña Bárbara/Liki-Liki Fantasia

Intro: Gabriela Isler..."Miss VENEZUELAAAAAA !!!!"--Miss Universe 2013 Pageant Moscow Russia

Swimsuit Perfection: Gabriela Isler "Miss Venezuela"'--Miss Universe 2013 Pageant Moscow Russia

Evening Gown: Gabriela Isler "Miss Venezuela" in her ivory and silver sequined gown from designed Alejandro Fajardo--she decided NOT to wear the gown she wore during the Preliminaries and instead wore this one--Miss Universe 2013 Pageant Moscow Russia

Felicitaciones and Congratulations Gabriela Isler and VENEZUELA!!! 

***UP NEXT: My Miss Universe 2013 Final Telecast Evening Gown RECAP/REVIEW--My Favorites, the Gown Changes + More!!!

Top 15 Semi-Finalists Predictions for Miss Universe

Just one more day until we find out WHO will be crowned MISS UNIVERSE 2013 in Moscow Russia! The web and all the Missosologists (Pageant Aficionados), are all abuzz with the "Prediction Game", i.e. who will be the Top 15/Top 5/The Winner...So, naturally, I had to get in the game and announce MY TOP 16--Top 15 + the Internet Fan Vote. These are the contestants I think will make it to the Semi-Finalist round to then go for the Top Crown. I've also added some--as they say in Spanish--batacazos, which translates into "stroke of luck", meaning the girls that might make it into the Semi-Finals if my other picks do not. There are so many good contenders for Miss Universe 2013 that well, I had to add some "extras". It is probably a FOR SURE chance that the next Miss Universe is in this group below...All Photos courtesy of MissUniverse.com



So here are MY PREDICTIONS in alphabetical order (of country):

Miss China Jin Ye: Elegant, runway model-ready. LOVED her in the Preliminary Evening Gown. I also think it makes good "business sense" for the Miss Universe Organization (for future endeavors) to put "Miss China" in here--and Jin Ye is a gorgeous contestant to make the beauty-and-business cut.

Miss France Hinarani de Longeaux: Simply stunning. She could take the crown and I would not be surprised--this Tahitian beauty has it all; exotic, gorgeous, perfect figure, great in the Preliminary Evening Gown...a definite Top 3 for sure.

Miss Great Britain Amy Willerton: One of the strongest contestants from the British Isles in a LOOONG time! I wasn't a fan of her CRAY-CRAY Evening Gown but she'll still make the Top 16. She is movie star sexy and sooooo "Donald Trump Beauty"! If she doesn't get to the Top 5, she'll be hired by Trump Models the day after!

Miss Haiti Mondiana Pierre: I LOVED Mondiana during the preliminaries--both in Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Her face is FLAWLESS, chiseled, exotic and model perfect! She reminds me of Khadija Adam, the former "Miss Kenya" and "Miss World Continental Beauty of Africa" who became Yves Saint Laurent's muse back in the late 80s.

Miss Israel Yitish Aynaw: Yitish looks like "Miss Haiti's" almost-twin sister! Both might cancel each other out or only one of these two exotic beauties will make it in--who knows. I'd prefer BOTH! Yitish is the first woman of color (she's of Ethiopian descent) to win "Miss Israel" and one of the most impacting contestants this year.

Miss Italy Luna Voce: Luna is sexy-licious and one of the best "Miss Italy's" in a long time. Her choice of gown is a bit on the tacky/Vegas side but that won't matter. In addition, you can't ignore the fact that also, one of the big sponsors this year is an ITALIAN swimwear company--Yamamay--so, the jaded been-there/done-that pageant followers say that just that fact alone, will guarantee her a spot in the Top 16.

Miss Nicaragua Nastassja Bolivar: Nastassja won the US beauty competition "Nuestra Bella Latina" in 2011 and therefore this isn't her first time at the rodeo, as they say. She's sassy, has a strong stage presence and perfect for a career in TV and I feel she's one of the strongest Latinas of the contest this year. She also speaks English fluently (she was born in Miami).

Miss Poland Paulina Krupinska: I drank the "Paulina Kool-Aid" from the minute she opened the Tony Ward Couture fashion show a couple of weeks back as one of the first events the "Miss Universe 2013" contestants participated in. She walks the runway better than any of the other 85 contestants. She's also model tall, great figure, very beautiful. I just HATE her Evening Gown choice. But she'll still make it in and I predict, might make the Top 5 as well.

Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez: Monic is one of my favorites to win the crown. she is STUNNING and looks every part a "Miss Universe". Her gown choice during the Preliminaries was my Top Choice of Best Gown of the night, so right there she had me at "Hola!". This girl is a STAR.

Miss Russia Elmira Abdrazakova: Elmira is the Russia representative so right there, she has a MAJOR "sash factor" especially since the pageant is being held...where? IN RUSSIA! It is reported that Russia invested $16 million to host the pageant and well, they better get something out of it, and pageant followers say, by putting "Miss Russia" in the Top 16, the Miss Universe Organization is giving them a big "Thank You". That's not to say that she isn't pretty--she is--and wore a nice evening gown during the preliminaries.

Miss Spain Patricia Rodriguez: I would not be surprised if Patricia wins "Miss Universe". She has it all; gorgeous, exotic, impacting, great model/TV face. It is interesting to me that she doesn't look "Spanish" but more Latin American/Caribbean. Maybe it's the olive skin coloring, her saucy sexiness...I don't know what it is but it screams San Juan and Caracas more than Madrid or Barcelona, if you know what I mean. I can see her dating--and then marrying--a very famous bullfighter and being on the cover of "Hola!" like TOMORROW! Ole!

Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinderknecht: I just LOVE Dominique for her fresh, modern look. She's so NOT a "Pageant Betty"--just take a look at her faux-hawk-like super-short hairstyle! She's so refreshing that for her unique look and the fact that she is super beautiful--and for wearing one of my favorite National Costumes--I have her here in my Top 15/16.

Miss Ukraine Olga Storozhenko: Olga is probably THE MOST STUNNING European contestant at "Miss Universe 2013"--she delivered perfectly in the Preliminary Swimsuit and Evening Gown and is a VERY STRONG contender to "win it all", as they say. Let's hope she has some personality and also shines during the interview, that's where some of the Eastern European girls fail. We'll see!

Miss USA Erin Brady: Erin is beautiful, perfect face for TV--I can see her as a host on E! or Entertainment Tonight-type shows. And yes, there's the "sash factor"; rarely does a "Miss USA" NOT make it into the Semi-Finals at "Miss Universe" since they are, for all intents and purposes, the same company. She should be in the Top 16.

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler: One word--WOW. "Miss Venezuela" always does well at "Miss Universe" (they've won SIX times!) but this year's representative, especially, is a STRONG ONE! Leave it to "Beauty Czar" Osmel Sousa to know how to pick 'em! This girl is stunning, intelligent and has model presence. She could win it all. Let's hope, the Miss Universe Wardrobe Department put a slit in the back of her Gionni Straccia gown so she can walk easier in it!

The Internet Fan Vote Goes To--Miss Philippines Ariella Arida: Ariella is beautiful, impacting and should be in the Top 16, whether as one of the Top 15 or by the Internet Fan Vote. whichever way, she should be in there! Two months ago "Miss Philippines" won the "Miss World" pageant so it would be INSANE and AMAZING if Ariella won "Miss Universe". That country would go CRAY-CRAY!



The Maybe's:

 (left to right) Brazil and Costa Rica

 (left to right) Dominican Republic and Ecuador

 (left to right) Bahamas and Austria

 (left to right) India and Jamaica

Good Luck to all the 86 Contestants at "Miss Universe 2013" and I'd love to read YOUR comments/thoughts on WHO YOU THINK will be in the Top 16/Top 5/The Winner? Let me know!



TO RECAP...Here's a fun SLIDE SHOW of my Top 16 for Miss Universe 2013: