The Miss World 2013 Top 10 Top Model Finalists Are... (left to right) Miss Philippines, Miss South Sudan, Miss England, Miss United States, Miss Cyprus, Miss Italy, Miss France, Miss Brazil, Miss Cameroon, Miss Ukraine
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Tonight in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Miss World 2013 held the Top Model Event and Runway Show where all of this year's 127 contestants modeled gowns and dresses from Indonesian fashion designers. This is always one of the most anticipated "Miss World Challenge" events--especially for me as a fashion designer, pageant fan and red carpet commentator.
Miss World 2013 Top Model event
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Usually, for this "contest"/event, the contestants model designs created by designers from their homeland. This year, all the contestants modeled designs from various Indonesian fashion designers. From the photos, it was a very colorful and interesting fashion show. Most of the designs were UBER elaborate. It's pretty obvious that for Indonesian designers the motto "More Is More" is their mantra. This is probably a cultural thing and yes, 90% of these--albeit exquisitely made garments--if ever worn on an actual "Hollywood" awards red carpet, would be SLAMMED by most everyone. But yet, I respect and understand the intricacy of the work, the fabrication and undoubted quality of the construction. Ten contestants were chosen as the "Top Model" finalists--in other words, best models, during this "Miss World 2013 Challenge". They were:
Miss Philippines Megan Young: Megan looked beautiful. Her gown was just OK, for me. The print was distracting and that center front golden brooch was unnecessary.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss South Sudan Manuela Matong: Manuela looked like a top model for sure--even wearing this mess of a dress. It was very 1992 Christian Lacroix/Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel...the early years. She gets LOTS of points for "making it work".
Photos Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss England Kirsty Heslewood: This was actually one of the most Red Carpet-Ready gowns of the night--in other words, that wouldn't end up in the "Huney, What Were You Thinking?" section. The dress does not look like a national costume (lots of them did) and works perfectly well in terms of a gown to be worn at the Emmys, Oscars...Miss World...you name it.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss France Marine Lorphelin: This was A LOT of gown. The sequined applique detail was UNBELIEVABLE. That, I cannot deny. It was just TOO MUCHEEY. How do you say that en francais?
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Brazil Sancler Frantz: Sacvler is BEAUTIFUL--many think she can win it all. Her beauty and great runway walk won her a Top 10- spot here. Because this red pouffy tiered dress is part Flamenco (the good part) and part "Nuclear Bomb Cloud". And not to mention: is it 1989? No, I didn't think so.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Cameroon Denise Ayena: Three words--You Go Girl. It's very National parade of Nations costume but somehow Denise pulled it off. Lots of gold applique and lots of iridescent organza. Usually, those two words should not be placed anywhere NEAR EACH OTHER.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss United States Olivia Jordan: Olivia looked sublime and very pretty in this gown. This was "bland" compared to some of the other designs and styles. And I liked it. The waist seam/trim was odd--it's neither a "drop-waist" or at the ACTUAL waist. But besides that, let's just say, she was lucky to get such a nice--and not so CRAY-CRAY--gown.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Italy Sarah Baderna: Sarah looked gorgeous in this gold and turquoise gown. Very "Borgias" Meets "Game of Thrones". Again, she should be lucky she didn't get some of the more "Oh What The Heck Is That?" gowns
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Cyprus Kristi-Mari Agapiou: Kristi-Matrie is one of the most "model"-like contestants at this year's "Miss World", she looked great. The color of the gown was perfect for her and I liked the gold/jeweled applique at the shoulder.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Ukraine Anna Sayachkivska: From the waist up, this was FABULOUS; love the headdress and the sweetheart bustier is fine. But that ball gown skirt....I am sure the fabrication is unbelievably opulent yet, it still looks like the drapes of an Elizabethan castle, or something I would find in an old furniture consignment store.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Here are my "Nick Reviews" of some of the non-Finalists and their Gowns:
Miss Puerto Rico Nadyalee Torres: Love the shape to this ball gown--and the gold flowers on a black background brocade fabrication. It's the slightly tacky-licious "heart" shape on the bustier that is throwing me off. She looks beautiful, though.
Miss Cote D'Ivoire Aissata Ezzedine: How this woman did not end up as a Top 10 Finalist in this "Miss World 2013 Top Model" Challenge is beyond me. She looked gorgeous. Loved the gown, loved her. Almost perfection.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Costa Rica Yarley Marin: I actually like this gown. It's A LOT of look. But then again, so where 98% of the dresses that came down this "Miss World 2013 Top Model" runway. But to me, this red with gold trimmed ensemble, worked. It is quite a dress.
Miss Dominican Republic Joely Bernat: I actually like the simplicity of this look. She is very "Miss Indonesia" in this, but like a very wealthy girlfriend of a millionaire in Jakarta. It is elegant, classic and understated. Love that crown headdress as well.
Miss Kosovo Antigona Sejdiu: One of my favorite gowns of the entire "Miss World 2013 Top Model" event. This would look perfectly gorgeous on any of the top Hollywood actresses at the Emmys or Oscars. Antigona must have been so happy she didn't get one of those other "International Parade of Nations"-looking dresses.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Albania Ersela Kurti: Huney! How many little kids are hiding under that gown? this is something out of "The Nutcracker" and "Mother Gigogne". At the same time, it's kind of fabulous in its excess. I'm not a fan of the mini multi-layered ruffles; they're very Prom-a-Licious circa 1989, but that bodice is stunning.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Ghana Carranzar Shooter: One word: LOVE. She looks happy and very celebratory. The gown is too. It's very HER. The dragon motif and headdress are the stars for sure (besides her!).
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Korea Min Park: Even though the dress style and design are quite dated and rather 1990's, Min somehow works it enough to give it some fabulousness. She looks quite regal in this.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Bolivia Maria Castillo: I like this gown--especially the main part of it (the sequined column part). The sequins and detail are beyond exquisite. I can only imagine which Brunei Princess will order and wear this. It did not need the tiered organza over-skirt. That took it to a "It's 1994" level.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Finland Maija Kerisalmi: Oh No. This look is so garish--and polyester-ish. She looks like a Showgirl at a less-than-Five-Star Las Vegas Resort.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss Belgium Noemi Happart: Speaking of Las Vegas...This looks like a Saloon Girl from an off-the-strip hotel. I give Noemi points for smiling through this nightmare of an ensemble.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Miss India Navneet Dhillon: And the winner of the "Flora and Fauna" dress is..."Miss World India"! One question: how does she sit down in this? Inquiring minds want to know.
Photo Courtesy of Miss World Facebook
Well, there you go--these were my "Highlights" (and some low-lights!) of the "Miss World 2013 Top Model Event...I can't wait for the "Miss World 2013" Finals THIS SATURDAY!
Stay tuned for my "Nick Gown Recap" of the Finals here on my NICKVERREOS.COM!
