Miss Universe National Costumes Best of North America

Transformers vs. Liki-Liki Fantasia: Miss USA and Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler

All Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

Continuing with my "Review" and Wrap-Up of the 2013 Miss Universe National Costume Show which took place on Sunday night...in my last post, I discussed my Top Picks for the National Costumes of Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Now, it's time for me to give you my "Nick Top Pick's" for the Americas and Caribbean ladies. There is LOTS to talk about about, so let's get started...





North America--Top Three:

3rd Place: Miss Costa Rica Fabiana Granados--Cotton Candy Pink feathers and gold were the highlights of "Miss Costa Rica's" Pre-Columbian Indigenous Empress Costume. Very well done and excellent in its design and execution. One of the BEST, of all the National Costumes of Miss Universe 2013.

2nd Place: Miss Nicaragua Nastassja Bolivar--Speaking of Pre-Columbian Indigenous Empress...HOLA Nastassja!! Simply Spectacular. The feathers, the headdress, the colors, sequined embroidery...this needs to be in a Costume Museum Exhibition! ASAP!



First Prize Goes To:

Miss USA Erin Brady--But I have to give the First Prize to "Miss USA" Erin Brady. She wore a "Transformers" costume that well, represented her nation of the Good Ol' US of A. And I get it. It was different, impacting and sure made me stop and take notice. The costume was created and designed by Martin Izquierdo and his very talented team. And by the way, Miss USA's "Transformers" costume  reminded me of what Heidi Klum wore in 2010 for one of her infamous "Heidi Klum's Halloween Party":

Heidi Klum as a Transformer--Heidi's Halloween 2010, also designed and created by Martin Izquierdo Studio

The Caribbean--Top Seven:

7th Place:Miss Turks and Caicos Snwanza Adams--Loved this strapless gown featuring a very Turks & Caicos "feel" to its design, execution, color and detail. It was definitely a tribute to the Caribbean and those islands.

6th Place: Miss Curacao Eline de Pool--A bright sequined-and-feathered reptile, backed by a blue jumpsuit and silver-sequined "Curacao" scepter: how could I not love this? Even her stacked pumps are printed in matching fabric!

5th Place: Miss Dominican Republic Yaritza Reyes--Dominican Caribbean Goddess in iridescent golden peach. Yaritza is spectacular in this costume. One of the best for sure. Muy Bien.

4th Place: Miss Trinidad and Tobago Catherine Miller--Multicolored Feathered Carnival Empress is how I can best describe this costume. The colors, the crystal strap'ed body-suit, the feathered leg detail...that headdress! It all adds up to good "Ayy Dios Mio!" for me; so much so, she made 4th place.

3rd Place: Miss Haiti Mondiana Pierre--This entire look is one of my favorites. Mondiana utilized her OUT OF CONTROL body and still gave you "Native/Indigenous Haiti Queen" with this gold and multicolor feathered costume.

2nd Place: Miss Jamaica Kerrie Baylis--Tie dye multicolored psychedelic Jamaican Diva. Just take a look at this sequined neon green with orange, fuchsia, blue, purple, yellow-colored ensemble. If there was ever a Jamaican "Burning Man", Kerrie--in this--would be its Mascot!


First Prize Goes To:

Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez--Monic's National Costume reflects the water, corals and Caribbean that
surrounds her island of Puerto Rico. According to its designer, Jaer Caban, it was inspired by the bio-luminescent bays that surround the island and she wins my "Nick Top National Costume Prize".



South America--Top Four:

4th Place: Miss Argentina Brenda Gonzalez--What a big ol' feathered ball gown with a gold applique top, headdress and arm accents, have to do with Argentina, Buenos Aires, amazing tasting beef, or Chimichurri...is beyond me. But I LOVED IT!

3rd Place Miss Brazil Jakelyne Oliviera--I am obsessed with the fact that "Miss Brazil" did not go the "Carnival" route with her "Miss Universe 2013" National Costume. I loved how this ensemble payed homage to the indigenous nature/Amazon part of her South American country. It was a tribute muito excelente!

2nd Place: Miss Ecuador Constanza Baez--Pre-Columbian Ecuadorian Empress. Check! Imagine her waiting for you at the top of the Ecuadorian Andes!! Absolutely stunning! Not sure how this traveled to Moscow and how much extra baggage fees she got charged...but it was all worth it!



First Prize Goes To:

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler--Gabriela wore a fabulous multicolored "Fantasy Liki-Liki" (Venezuelan llanero suit) with a multi-tiered overskirt. The entire look was fantastic and sequin-spectacular! She ROCKED it!!! Over time. Therefore, she gets my "Best of National Costume Prize" for South America.

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2013 National Costumes Review Part I: The Best of Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa

Europe Costume Throw-Down: Miss Switzerland vs. Miss Russia---Who took my "Best of Europe" Costume Prize?

All Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

Last night was the Miss Universe 2013 National Costume Show at the Vegas Mall in Moscow Russia. All 86 contestants from all over the world showed
their national costumes--some traditional, some not-so-muchey--as part
of this always popular event. The Live Telecast used to open (back in
the wonderful days of Bob Barker as host) with all the contestants
individually introducing themselves to the world, in their national
costumes and I LOVED it. Now this very festive display of
"internationalism" (and spectacular costumes!) has been relegated to a
short clip sandwiched between "Check out the contestants in a local
mall" and "Next up, the naming of the Top Five" halfway through the
telecast...

Asiana Plumage: Whose feathers were more "Costume Couture" Miss Indonesia Whulandary Herman and Miss Philippines Ariella Arida

There will be an actual announcement of the winner of Best Costume during the live telecast this coming Saturday November 9th, so at least we can look forward to that. Until then, here is Part One of my "Hot Picks" for Best Costumes from the Miss Universe 2013 National Costume Show, starting with the costumes of Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa...and in a following post, I'll discuss North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean (Think Feather CRAY-CRAY!)...so let's begin:



Asia: The Top Seven

7th Place: Miss Philippines Ariella Arida--Golden sunburst pleated traditional Filipina "Butterfly Sleeve" gown featuring a heavily appliqued top and feathered hair accents. It wasn't as over-the-top as some of the other contestant's costumes but was elegant and beautiful, and I give her points for "Traditional Fantasy".

6th Place: Miss Japan Yukimi Matsuo--Yukimi wore a traditional yet very colorful kimono with a cherry blossom-covered train. A huge fan framed the entire costume--also covered with cherry blossoms. It was impacting, had eye-popping colors and prints and that back fan was quite fabulous. Give this costume to a drag queen in the NYC Gay Pride Parade and trust me, she will have HER OWN huge float!!

5th Place Miss Korea Kim Yu-mi: Loved this costume--a very colorful take on a traditional Korean Hanbok ensemble. The draping on the voluminous skirt is gorgeous, I love the mixture of colors and prints and she looks like an ABSOLUTE DOLL in this.

4th Place: Miss Vietnam Tru'o'ng Thi May--Tru'o'ng's Ao dai is so gorgeous and luxe, it was one of my favorite national costumes from the Asian beauties. The gold applique and embroidery over that sumptuous silk shantung is exquisite. And I love the golden Khan Dong headdress.

3rd Place: Miss Indonesia Whulandary Herman--One word: WOW! This costume is inspired by the traditional East Javan dance of Reog Ponegoro.
The costume is a fusion of lion and peafowl elements which the dance
itself symbolizes. I love the heavily jeweled headdress and those oversized peacock "feathers". Imagine running into this at an East Javan jungle!!  How do you say "FAB!" in Indonesian language?

2nd Place: Miss India Manasi Mogue--I thought Manasi's national costume for this year's Miss Universe was SUPERB! So much so that she came in a very, very, very...close second place. In other words, she almost got it for me (in my unofficial "Nick's Top Prizes for Miss Universe 2013 National Costumes"). Manasi dazzled in a bright red, orange and gold trimmed Lehenga Choli--an Indian outfit comprising of a skirt, cropped top, usually reserved for brides. The headdress was spectacular and so were the accessories. All in all, one of my Top Pick's for sure!



First Prize Goes to:

Miss China Jin Ye--Golden Dragon Couture. Impeccable. Gorgeous. Mysterious. And very, very much, representing China. This golden lace and applique gown is designed by Chinese couturier Guo Pei and if you need more reasons to understand how fabulous this gown/costume is, take a look at these images:

 Guo Pei Couture Golden Dragon gown--the National Costume for "Miss Universe China" Jin Ye

  

Europe: Top Six and Three "Oh Dear's!":

6th Place: Great Britain Amy Willerton--Amy gave you a very cheeky and sexy British royal in this get-up featuring "Elizabethan" sleeves with faux ermine trim, a high stand-up collar, a gold lame pick-up hi-lo skirt and purple coat/train. It was good enough to get her on my "Top Seven" but I wished the designers would have been really creative and taken a hint from these two looks from...

 Royal SuperFAB: Christian Dior Haute Couture by John Galliano Spring/Summer 2004 Collection

5th Place Miss Italy Luna Voce: Luna went for a Venice Ball "Period" costume look and it was well done. I just wished the bodice was much more fitted and that she would have had the hair stylists give her a big ol' pompadour 'do. Her costume said 18th Century but her hair said 2004.

4th Place Miss Poland Paulina Krupinska--Paulina wore a white crepe column gown with red and green embroidery detail that "hinted" at one of Poland's traditional costumes/dresses worn by women. I loved it! It payed homage to her country and the colors and embroidery of her nation yet she still looked "Runway"-ready. Notice how the gown hits the floor perfectly. National Costume Ready-to-Wear Milan/Paris/NY Fashion Week.

3rd Place Miss Sweden Alexandra Friberg: Viking Fierce. Yep, that is what Miss Sweden is giving you. The costume itself is really good, dramatic and well-executed. And yes kids, she's about to CUT YOU if you mess with her and her very tall, Swedish Viking brothers! If there was a miss, it would be THE PUMPS! I just wish she would have worn some fabulous Viking boots--they could still be high and platform-y but yes, boots...not pumps from the Mall, thank you very much!

2nd Place Miss Russia Elmira Abdrazakova--Realizing that the Miss Universe pageant was taking place in her homeland, she knew that she had to "Bring It!"--or at least her National Pageant Directors did. She almost won the Top Prize for me in this Byzantine/tsarist Russian costume in a golden brocade and satin fabrication with rich-looking oversized jeweled accents. And yes, there's that fabulous headdress. A very close second place for me.



First Prize Goes To:

Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinderknecht--Dominique was the Queen of the Swiss Alps in this fantastic costume. This costume is all things fab, over-the-top yet still restrained and sexy and beauty pageant perfect. What Swiss gay came up with this design: Kudos huney, YOU ROCK! This is my "Europe National Costume" fave for this year's Miss Universe.



Now, some Europe "Oh Dear's!":

Miss Netherlands Stephanie Tency (left)--Miss Netherlands is a windmill with visions of iconic Dutch buildings all in a fan behind an ill-fitting ocean-blue stretch velvet jumpsuit  with tulips appliqued at the ankle. I get what she was going for, but unfortunately, it didn't work out. This looked cheap and "Happy Hands at Home".

Miss Germany Anne-Julia Hagen (right)--Ummm, What the HECK is that?? If there is some German reader of my blog that can explain this costume and what those golden rings are...please, be my guest and educate me. Bitte???!!

Eiffel Oh Oh: Miss France Hinarani de Longeaux-- Hinarani, who is
actually from Tahiti and represented Tahiti, French Polynesia at last
year's Miss France wore this "Eiffel Tower" creation as her National
Costume. I understand what she was going for--mixing "can can" with La Tour Eiffel--unfortunately this looked like amateur hour at the costume shop. It could have been better and honestly, I
wished she would have gone the whole Tahitian Goddess route.



Middle East--The Winner:

Miss Israel Ytyish Aynaw: Six foot tall Ethiopian-born model Ytyish wore a gorgeous white gown with gold neck detail and golden crown for her "Miss Israel" national costume. She looked fabulous and therefore, she was my top favorite of the "Middle East" contestants at the Miss Universe 2013 National Costume Show.



Africa: Top Three

3rd Place: Miss Ghana Hanniel Jamin-- Love, love, love this costume "Miss Ghana" wore--featuring traditional Ghanaian textile prints and colors. If you want to go "traditional Africa" with your "Miss Universe" national costumes...this is the costume to do it with!

2nd Place: Miss Angola Vaumara Rebelo--Oh No She Didn't! Miss Angola took the National Costume Show to a whole other level with her Carnival-Meets-Sequined Bird costume. She thinks she is at the Rio de Janeiro Carnival and I absolutely love it! I don't know how she got this from Angola to Moscow but I sure hope the airline didn't charge her extra...because it's so fabulous! But...



The First Prize Goes To:

Miss South Africa Marilyn Ramos--Marilyn wore a very colorful and fantastic costume to represent her nation of South Africa. I love the tribute to her nation's colors, tribal flags, and prints. The minute I saw this, I was like "done and done".



**NEXT UP: Part Two of my "Miss Universe 2013 National Costume Show" Review--The Best of the Americas and the Caribbean...let me warn you: LOT of FEATHERS and CRYSTALS!!!

SASHES AND TIARAS.....Road to Miss Universe 2013, Arrivals and National Costumes Previews!! UPDATED Oct 25th!!

The 62nd Annual Miss Universe pageant is well under way in Moscow Russia. the Finals will be on Saturday November 9th at the Crocus City Hall,
in Moscow. 87 contestants from all over the world have begun arriving
in Moscow for all the preparations, fittings, photo sessions, and
rehearsals for the big night! Well actually, it might be day--since it will be
shown LIVE.  So in order to air at 9 PM EST, it will need to be 5 AM in
Moscow (Sunday)! They better have some strong coffee for those attending! (and the contestants!)...

To begin my "coverage" of this year's Miss Universe Pageant, I wanted to show some photos of various contestants leaving their home countries for the big pageant and arriving in Moscow. Later in the post, I will be previewing some of the National Costumes the contestants will (or might) be wearing:

Byeeee!!!Miss Philippines Ariella Arida and Miss Brazil Jakeline Oliveira take off from their home countries to go to Moscow for the "Miss Universe 2013" Beauty Pageant

 Too Many Luggage Fees: Miss Australia Olivia Wells

Did I Bring Enough? Miss France Hinarari de Longeaux leaving for Moscow Russia

Miss Netherlands Stephanie Tency (left) gets a colorful Dutch-style Good Bye, Good Luck and Bon Voyage; and Miss Israel Yityish Aynaw (right) checks into her Moscow hotel, ready for the Miss Universe 2013 Pageant

Miss Venezuela Maria Gabriela Isler, arriving at her Moscow hotel to compete in the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant

We've Arrived: (left to right) Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinderknecht, Miss Spain Patricia Rodriguez and Miss South Africa Marilyn Ramos

 Now, here is a Preview of some of the Miss Universe 2013 National Costumes:

Aruba and Bolivia: Miss Aruba Stefanie Evangelista (left) will wear a turquoise and white costume with a sequined bodice, bedazzled caged petticoat and lots of feathers. 

Miss Bolivia Alexia Viruez (right) is giving "Carnival Queen" with sequined jumpsuit and a huge colorful cape (naturally!). The costume is named Rosita Pochi and was inspired by a dance from eastern Bolivia with the same name.
The costume was designed by Eduardo Ribera.

Miss China Jin Ye: It has been "hinted" in the "Pageant Blogs" that possibly one of these Couture creations above from Chinese fashion designer Guo Pei will be Miss China's national costume...either one is pretty FABULOUS!

Costa Rica and Czech Republic: Miss Costa Rica Fabiana Granados' costume (left) is all things gold and bubblegum pink feathers; very Pre-Columbian Princess for a fun Carnival!

Miss Czech Republic Gabriela Kratochvilova (right) goes the "Sexy Traditional" route with her blue, red, white and gold strapless and gathered mini-dress.

Miss Ecuador Constanza Baez: Constanza is going Pre-Columbian "Inca Goddess" with her brightly colored costume that shimmers with lots of gold and metallic details as well as a fabulous headdress topped off with peacock feathers. It was designed by Elvia Alvarado.

El Salvador and Indonesia: Miss El Salvador Alba Delgado's (left) costume features a stretch lace body suit with dangling white and red pearls draped throughout her front and back. It is topped off with a crown of the same dangling draped pearl detailing.  This costume is entitled Oráculo de adivinación (Divine
Oracle) and draws inspiration from the Mayan folklore. It was designed
by  Rosemberg Rivas with elements of the fire tree embedded in the
costume. The fire tree, by the way, is considered as a sacred seed by the ancient
Mayans.

Miss Indonesia Whulandary Herman's (right) costume is inspired by the traditional East Javan dance of Reog Ponegoro.
The costume is a fusion of lion and peafowl elements which the dance
itself symbolizes. I love the heavily jeweled headdress and those oversized peacock feathers: stunning!

Japan and Malaysia: Miss Japan Yukimi Matsuo (left) will wear this Japanese Kimono and Obi design with an oversized fan attached at her back. If there was a "Victoria's Secret Angel Wings: Japan Style", this costume would be it! The costume gives tribute to the sakura (cherry blossom) which
blooms only once a year and for just a week that signals the arrival of
spring. The kimono’s colorful design evokes the beauty and joy brought
about by the sakura. The cherry blossoms are beautifully set in the huge traditional fan and are stylishly cascading at the train of the costume.

Miss Malaysia Carey Ng is giving a "Sultana Couture" look with this elegant black-and-gold brocade costume designed by Syomir Izwa. The costume is named Puteri Perak (Princess of Perak) and will feature the traditional fabric of songket from the Malaysian state of Terengganu.

Miss Mauritius Diya Beeltah: Diya's costume is a variation on the traditional Sega dance costumes worn in her island nation. The multi-tiered skirt features a sexy side slit and she finishes it all off with a matching umbrella. The costume features Les Quatre Bande (the four bands of color): red for the blood spilled during colonization
and slavery; blue for the Indian Ocean that surrounds the island nation;
yellow for the fabulous sunshine; and finally green for the vibrant
flora of the country. These are also the colors of the flag of Mauritius.

Miss Nicaragua Nastassja Bolivar: Nicaragua is famous for "bringing it" when it comes to costumes at the Miss Universe Pageant and it seems that this year will be no exception. This year, Miss Nicaragua will wear this Indigenous Empress Pre-Columbian Meso-American costume, filled with red feathers, lots of gold accents and what will likely be, one of the most impressive headdresses of the pageant.

Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez: Monic's National Costume reflects the water, corals and Caribbean that surrounds her island of Puerto Rico. According to its designer, Jaer Caban, it was inspired by the bio-luminescent bays that surround the island.

Miss Singapore Shi Lim: Singapore went for an "Orchid Queen" costume for what she will wear at Miss Universe 2013. As you may know, the orchid is a symbol of Singapore national identity. The costume itself is a strapless gown with an orchid filled bustier and blue-green skirt sprinkled with orchids at the hem and finally, there's a huge yellow and silver fan--with orchids of course--attached at her back. The costume was designed by Riyan Haffys (shown here with Miss Singapore).

Miss Sri Lanka Amanda Rathnayake:  Three words, Sinhalese Temple Goddess. I love this bronzed costume that Amanda will wear for the Miss Universe 2013 Pageant.

Miss Switzerland Dominique Rinderknecht: Well, well, well, look what we have here--Miss Switzerland is giving Ski Bunny Ice Queen. The icicle overskirt plus the silver sequined leotard is simply FABU-u-LOUS!

Miss Thailand Chalita Yaemwannang: For her National Costume, Miss Thailand will wear this rich gold colored traditional Thai costume inspired by au bah or flower garland. It is quite elegant and colorful.

Venezuela and Vietnam: Miss Venezuela Maria Gabriela Isler's supposed National Costume (sketch, left) is this Amazonian vision of an Indigenous Diva. It is not confirmed that this is what she will be wearing but some on the web are hinting as such. But who knows, she might be wearing something else.

Miss Vietnam Truong Thi May: Miss Vietnam is forgoing the traditional Vietnam costume of the áo dài (tunic and pantaloons) and wearing this look above (right). This costume shows the ethnic culture of the country with the fabric and design inspired by the highlander tribes. I love how "Tribal" and Couture it is, all at the same time.



**UPDATE!!! Here's a Sneak Peak of Maria Gabriela Isler "Miss Venezuela's" National Costume for "Miss Universe 2013--a Fantasy Liki Liki: