SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Competition EVENING GOWNS Part Two: The "Oh Dear!/No She Didn't!" List

 

GURLLL!!!! What Were You Thinking? Miss Belgium Noemi Happart and Miss Turks & Caicos Snwazna Adams try to smile while ending up in my "Oh Dear!" Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown List--Crocus City Hall Moscow Russia

All Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

Well, fellow Pageant Fanatics, in my last post HERE I've discussed my Top 20 BEST GOWNS from last night's 2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Competition so naturally, you know what comes next...THE "UH OH!!/Oh Dear!/What Was She Thinking?" List. Every time one of these girls came on stage, I yelled a loud "OOOOOHHHHHH!!!" and then smiled and remembered why I LOVE watching beauty pageants, especially the Miss Universe Preliminaries. So, let's get to it...in reverse order from "Uh Oh" to "OH NO SHE DIDN'T" Worst, here's my "Top 13" List--Enjoy and I welcome any and all of your comments and thoughts of course!



First I want to start with my two BIGGEST GOWN DISAPPOINTMENTS...

Miss Dominican Republic Yaritza Reyes (left) and Miss Israel Yitaish Aynaw (right)--were two big disappointments for me, when it came to the evening gowns they wore at the 2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Competition. Yaritza and Yityish are two of the most beautiful contestants in the pageant and they succeeded in looking less-than outstanding...

Miss Dominican Republic's gown choice was dowdy and Mother-of-the-Bride unflattering and then THAT HAIRSTYLE!!! Whoever ill-advised her to do this should be fired!

And Miss Israel's gown choice wasn't bad but it was so bland, too tight on the hips and well, I expected SOOO much more from this Supermodel gorgeous beauty. At least from the neck up, she was PERFECTION!



And now the "Uh Oh!" Top 13:

No. 13 Miss Azerbaijan Aysel Manafova: Aysel wore this same gown for her Evening Gown Portraits on the Miss Universe website. I didn't like it then and I don't like now. It featured a strapless sequined bustier with (I think) attached panties and a see-though chiffon skirt section. Overall, it's tacky and something straight out of a Prom-&-Pageant shop.

No. 12 Miss Turkey Berrin Keklikler: In the photos above, the gown doesn't look so bad (she also wore the same gown for her Miss Universe website Evening Gown Portrait). But during the Preliminaries, you get to see that not only is this a white floaty chiffon gown but...it also includes a sequined hot pants jumpsuit! Yes kids, those are crystal-encrusted booty shorts under all that. It's a HOT MESS. Someone needs to tell her that this is OK for a Eurovision/Las Vegas After Party, but not for "Miss Universe".

No. 11 Miss Bulgaria Veneta Krasteva: Veneta wore this same sparkly gown for the Evening Gown Portrait and I wasn't a fan.

She looks like Adrienne Maloof's (former cast member from "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills") twin sister! The gown is Vegas tacky, her hair is from 1988 and she just looks much older than she probably is.

No. 10 Miss Poland Paulina Krupinska: NOOOOOO Paulina! I told you I didn't like this dress when you wore it in the Miss Universe Website Evening gown Portraits. Why didn't you read my blog and wear something else? Paulina is supermodel gorgeous and I'm sure she'll still make it into the Top 15/16 but this gown is store bought, too short and garish in its color-and-sequins combination. This is cute for a "Sweet Sixteen" party but NOT for a world stage such as the Miss Universe Pageant.

No. 9 Miss Romania Roxana Andrei: Another contestant wearing the same tacky gown she wore in the Evening Gown Portraits. When will these girls ever learn? This gown looks too much like a National Costume and less like a gown one wears for Miss Universe. And imagine if an actress or TV personality wore this at an awards show/red carpet event? They would be INSTANTLY on the "NO!" section.

No. 8 Miss Turks & Caicos Snwazna Adams: On a positive note, I give her "At-a-Gurl!" points for being so bold as to actually wear an apple green chiffon strapless gown over matching poly-satin "cigarette"/Capri pants! And yes, kids, this a Gown-and-Capri pant combo. And that leads me to also put her in my "Uh Oh" list because...SHE IS WEARING A GOWN-&-CAPRI PANTS ensemble!! These girls have lost their style minds.

No. 7 Miss Austria Doris Hofmann: Doris is stunning--one of the prettiest contestants from Europe in fact. But this gown...It is a perfect example of the need for EDITING! The gown featured a white charmeuse satin strapless corset and fitted skirt, falling light blue chiffon pieces that came from the neckline of the bustier(?), oversized blue and silver sequins (on a positive note: the sequins looked expensive), and if that wasn't enough, a matching bejeweled neck-piece! Too Mucheey.

No. 6 Miss Aruba Stefanie Evangelista: I didn't like this gown that she also wore for her Evening Gown Portrait on the Miss Universe website. It is Scheherazade Belly Dancer-at-a-Questionable Bar-in-Marrakesh BAD! Another gown choice in need of serious editing; there's just TOO MUCHEEY going on.

No. 5 Miss Serbia Ana Vrcelj: When Miss Serbia came out in this white satin and chiffon gown , I thought "OK, this is not good", and then I focused on the ruffled "rosette" appliques on the hips and thought "Oh, this is really BAAAD!". Two questions: A) why would any designer place these tacky-looking things on a dress, and B) why place them on the hips? 

They look like those "Prize Ribbon things" one gives at dog shows...without the satin ribbon/tape.

No. 4 Miss Great Britain Amy Willerton: I was really looking forward to what Amy would be wearing for the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. She's very beautiful, looks amazing in her "Glamour" photo and swimsuit and therefore, is one of the top favorites, but...this was an absolute MESS! Let me try and describe this crazy gown: it's a strapless SUPER Mermaid-shaped gown with ombre-like shadings of various lilac, purple and white colors in what looks like a bunch of hair scrunchies. I am all about DRAMA and I get that but, this was a DRAMA miss. And on top of everything, did she really need that diamante necklace and earrings??? Let me answer that: No!

No. 3 Miss Lithuania Simona Burbaite: I have two words: HEFTY BAG. I cannot believe she would wear a gown made of a fabrication that looks very much like a garbage bag. Why didn't a  (closeted) Russian Gay backstage working in the hair and makeup department didn't warn her, is beyond me.

No. 2 Miss Belgium Noemi Happart: Noemi's gown choice was so Tacky-licious and bad, that yes, she made it to "No. 2" in my "Oh No She Didn't!" List. This strapless golden colored gown featured a fitted bustier and multi-ruffled hi-lo "Can-Can" attached skirt. Under any circumstances, this is a NO. How anyone would see this on a hanger--or a sketch of it--and say "Oui! I want that!" makes me seriously question her taste level. And I didn't even begin to mention those super-tacky gold stacked pumps!



And My No. 1 "Oh No She Didn't!" Evening Gown form the 2013 Miss Universe Preliminaries Is...

Miss El Salvador Alba Delgado: There were so many contenders for the Top "Uh Oh!" Evening Gown Prize but when Miss El Salvador came out in this canary yellow chiffon and applique gown...and the camera gave a close-up on her...um..."Sistahs", I was like "Done and Done!"...Take a look at what I am talking about:

There are silver jeweled crystals ON HER NIPPLES!!! Seriously, what was Alba thinking?  When she picked this gown? Why didn't anyone tell her???!!! It drives me so LOCO, that yes, she deserves the Top Prize in the "Oh No You Didn't!" List for the 2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Evening Gown Competition.



So...what did you guys think? Any gowns in this group that you think shouldn't have been her? And why? I'd love to read your comments below!! Until then---stay tuned for my Post-Miss Universe 2013 Final Telecast Evening Gown Review this weekend!!!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Competition EVENING GOWNS Part One: My Top 20 Picks!

Which One of These Two Got My Best Gown Top Prize? (Left to right) Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler and Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez--Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, Crocus City Hall Moscow, Russia

Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

Last night was the ever-so-important "Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Competition" at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk Moscow Oblast, Russia--sight of the Final Show. I actually watched live on the MissUniverse.com site 8 AM yesterday from the comfort of my home in Los Angeles.

 Miss Universe 2013 Contestants--Miss Universe 2013 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, Crocus City Hall Moscow, Russia

The Preliminaries are when a separate group of judges (separate from the LIVE Telecast ones), get to chose who the Top Fifteen Semi-Finalists are--that will be announced soon after the LIVE Telecast begins this coming Saturday November 9th (an extra semi-finalist will also be announced from the "Fan Votes" online). Two competitions occurred during the Preliminaries--the Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Well, naturally you know what I'm interested in, of course: THE EVENING GOWNS! Here's my "Nick Top Pick's" for BEST Evening Gowns of this year's Miss Universe Preliminary Evening Gown Competition--and yes--in case you are wondering--in a following post, I'll have my "OH NO, She Didn't!" Post!)--



So...Here are my Best Evening Gowns of the "Miss Universe" Preliminaries out of all the 86 contestants and gowns shown, in reverse order...I begin with No. 20:

No. 20 Miss Brazil Jaklyne Oliveira: Jakelyne wore a peach colored sequined and appliqued gown with nude illusion (a big trend!) and side front slit. The color of the gown was great and I especially liked all the multicolored sequins in the gown. The dress is very "Nefertiti/Cleopatra" and I like that. I also think her side-swept hairstyle was good.

No. 19 Miss Canada Riza Santos: Riza wore one of those very popular nude illusion "Figure Skating" gowns. This was a good one. It was a creme-nude color and had crystals throughout and a plain chiffon bottom half. From head to toe, it worked. Therefore, Riza--and this gown--is in my "Top 20".

No. 18 Miss South Africa Marilyn Ramos: Marilyn wore a black velvet "Le Smoking" tuxedo gown with a satin shawl collar and skirt hem band and long sleeves. It was very "Yves Saint Laurent" (THE Yves Saint Laurent, thank you very much!) in its style and silhouette and therefore I appreciated it. Classic, chic, elegant and no sequins!!! Who knew!!

No. 17 Miss Colombia Lucia Aldana: Lucia went the "Grecian Goddess" route with this very floaty white chiffon gown with sequined trim midriff/waist detail. She looked muy bella in this and I especially liked the shoulder "falls" of chiffon (very dramatic) and the "covered-up" center front slit.

No. 16 Miss Curacao Eline de Pool: Eline wore a strapless silver gown in sequined lace applique that went over a "mini dress" lining. The gown looked both sexy and red carpet/runway fab! I also loved her overall styling: her hairstyle, makeup and lack of distracting accessories. Oh, and KUDOS for the gown being the PERFECT length!

No. 15 Miss France Hinarani de Longeaux: Hinarani wore a white crepe halter-neck style gown with gathered front and golden/silver sequined details. She looked like a Princess. Sublime from head to toe. If only her presentation/walk would have matched this gown; she didn't bring the "DIVA" that one would want to bring wearing this gown. But, still--one of the BEST!

No. 14 Miss Nicaragua Nastassja Bolivar: Nastassja won the Best National Costume Award tonight and she also shined during the Preliminaries. I liked this gold lace long-sleeve gown with a scalloped plunging neckline. She looked very elegant. I liked her side-slicked hairstyle; perfect for this look. I may add, this look is also very "old school" Yves Saint Laurent Couture circa late 1990s. I LOVE that!

No. 13 Miss Netherlands Stephanie Tency: Stephanie wore a white gathered chiffon gown with a illusion-backed multicolored beaded neck-piece and waist. This was very "Pageant Safe" yet still PERFECT! Nothing wrong with the gown and her styling. Good job Stephanie.

No. 12 Miss India Manasi Moghe: Manasi wore a blush-colored "Mermaid Lite" gown featuring gold and silver jeweled sequined and feathers. The gown looked great on Manasi and all that detail and sequin work screamed "Expensive!". If there was any criticism, I could have done without the nude chiffon/illusion neckline piece; it should have just been strapless. That detail took it to a semi-Figure Skating Costume level.

No. 11 Miss Spain Patricia Rodriguez: Patricia--who is one of the favorites to take the top crown (and I can see why!)--wore a white Mermaid-style gown with a nude illusion-backed sequined applique torso section and tulle bottom skirt. It was very "Pronovias"-looking  fabulosa! Not sure how necessary those big ol' earrings were to finish the look but Patricia could get away with it!

No. 10 Miss Panama Carolina Brid: Carolina stunned in this raspberry-colored "Mermaid Lite" silhouette silk ziberline gown with scroll-like sequined detail at the torso. The gown itself was very "Miss Venezuela" Couture in its fit, style and construction. Someone in the "Miss Panama" Organization has their pilas on. In other words--they know what they are doing! I also liked it because it reminded me of one of my NIKOLAKI Collection gowns:

NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos & David Paul--raspberry-colored silk ziberline gown

No. 9 Miss Indonesia Whulandary Herman: Whulandary wore an off-white lace applique-over-nude gown with a high neck, long sleeves and side cut-out's. It was very Runway/Red Carpet Fab and perfect for her figure. I only wished her hair style didn't look so severe (the center front hair part). Besides this, I feel Whulandary is one of the BEST of the contestants representing the Asian continent in the "2013 Miss Universe" pageant.

No. 8 Miss Russia Elmira Abdrazakova: It is a sure fact that Elmira will make the Top Fifteen--just because the contest is in Russia. So that's a given. With that being said, I am glad that she "brought it" when it came to the Preliminary Evening Gown portion (because she probably could have worn a MESS of a dress and STILL, she would have made the cut!). I thought Elmira looked amazing in this fire-red Mermaid silhouette strapless gown. It was SOOOO dramatic and she gave the gown "runway" justice" onstage. I also loved the beautifully-fitting bust section.

No. 7 Miss Philippines Ariella Arida--Colombian couturier Alfredo Barraza designed this chartreuse gown for Miss Philippines. I thought this was a beautiful gown choice for Ariella and the color--especially--was very impacting (unfortunately, there was another contestant who wore the same color and stole the evening gown show). I liked the fit of this strapless Mermaid-shaped gown with lightly strewn crystals in the midriff. One of the Best!

No. 6 Miss Bahamas Lexi Wilson: Lexi wore a gorgeous bubblegum pink chiffon gown with a dramatic back cape and front keyhole and slit detail. She looked SPECTACULAR! And PS: her body is OUT OF CONTROL!

No. 5 Miss Haiti Mondiana Pierre: One word--WOW! When Mondiana appeared onstage in this black and silver gown, I just about dropped my morning coffee--and in a good way! (remember I was watching at 8AM!). Mondiana looked so Couture Fashion Week in this creation, I was LIVING for it! The dress was created beautifully and she worked it onstage! If there is any criticism, I just wished that it was strapless. But this is a very minor critique. C'est Superb.

No. 4 Miss Ukraine Olga Storozhenko: Olga looked  every bit a "Miss Universe" in this white chiffon gathered upper torso gown with a sequined neckline. While I have my questions about "Miss Russia" being in the Top Fifteen/Sixteen...Olga, "Miss Ukraine" DESERVES to be there! She looks angelic and so pretty. The gown fits her well, it is the perfect length, it is styled correctly...Yes, she is my No. FOUR!

No. 3 Miss China Jin Ye: OK, this woman needs to be in the Top 15/16 Semi-Finalists List solely on her Evening Gown "performance": SHE BROUGHT IT! I thought Jin Ye looked like a Runway Diva in this one shoulder white and nude illusion gown with oversized jeweled crystals. In addition, her look, and hair--were PERFECT!

No. 2 Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler: Gabriela wore this nude colored silk ziberline gown completely covered in oversized Swarovski jeweled crystals from Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. Now, let me discuss what happened during her "Evening Gown" portion. IMMEDIATELY, after the Preliminaries ended, she got criticized on the web and all the "Pageant Sites" for her "poor" evening gown performance. And there were some good reasons: the gown was so stiff  that when she came down the stairs, she could barely walk and you could hear an audible gasp from the audience (and I bet, most of the Venezuelan public watching on the web!). Her face froze, she looked nervous and not at all "Miss Venezuela" fab. She knew there was a problem instantly.

This is not her fault but I have to ask: WHY didn't she practice walking in this gown beforehand? Walk up and down the halls of the hotel! The "Emergency Exit" stairs, for Goodness sakes! Besides what happened at the Preliminaries, I am still putting this gown as one of my TOP TWO Best: I thought the gown was COUTURE sublime and certainly one of the most fabulous ones of the night--irregardless of the fact that there should have been a SLIT for her to walk more comfortable in! Speaking of: I hope that Osmel Sousa (the Miss Venezuela National Director/"Beauty Czar") has sent Gabriela a message instructing her to bring this gown to the "Miss Universe" Wardrobe Dept. to open up the center back and put a slit...so she could walk easier. Por Favor!

No. 1 Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez: My Top Evening Gown Prize goes to Monic Perez " Miss Puerto Rico" for this strapless chartreuse-colored gown from fashion designer Harry Robles...

 Close-Up of "Miss Puerto Rico" Gown

Photo Courtesy of Harry Robles Facebook

Sketch of "Miss Puerto Rico" gown by Harry Robles

The gown was EXQUISITE featuring horizontal pleated body and side volants/cascade ruffles with hand-sewn sequins. It was a big surprise that both "Miss Philippines" and "Miss Puerto Rico" wore the same colored gown for the "2013 Miss Universe Preliminaries" but Monic's gown definitely WON! So much so, that it was my TOP Favorite.



Click Below to Watch The 2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Competition:





**NEXT UP: My "Oh Dear!/Oh No She Didn't!" Gowns for the "2013 Miss Universe Preliminary Evening Gown Competition!!! Stay tuned!