SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2013 EVENING GOWN Portraits Review Part One: The Good!

Miss Universe Gown Fab: Miss Jamaica Kerrie Baylis and Miss Chile Maria Jesus Matthei--Miss Universe 2-13 Evening Gown Portraits

All Photos Courtesy of MissUniverse.com

It's Miss Universe 2013 time and all the contestants are in Moscow Russia for all the preparations, sightseeing tours, fashion shows and photo-op events surrounding the international pageant and all leading up to the Finals which will be televised LIVE on NBC and Telemundo on Saturday November 9th. The "Evening Gown Portraits" have been published on the MissUniverse.com website so you know what that means: time for my Review. Now, as you know (if you're a Beauty Pageant Aficionado, or missosologist), these may or may not be the actual gowns the contestants wear for the all-important Preliminaries or when they are chosen as one of the Semi-Finalists during the live telecast. But sometimes, they are. Irregardless, it's time for my Evening Gown Review--I want to begin with my Faves of the Photos:

Miss Chile Maria Jesus Matthei: One of my favorite gowns of all the Miss Universe 2013 Evening Gown Portraits. This salmon pink colored chiffon gown with copper sequined neck-piece, waistband and shirred bodice is a stunner; very red carpet, very chic. Her high-ponytail hairdo makes her look rather severe but it works with this gown. I hope, however that for the Preliminaries, she doesn't do this hair style.

Miss Jamaica Kerrie Baylis: Now this is a GOWN! Mermaid-shaped black sequined applique with feathered bottom. It's a lot but...it works. Diva Fab for sure.

Miss Indonesia Whulandary Herman: Love this red crepe gown with applique and nude illusion top section and fitted waist. It fits her beautifully and looks perfect for Whulandary. One of the best of the Miss Universe 2013 Evening Gown Portraits.

Miss Australia Olivia Wells: Sweet, elegant and "Elie Saab Lite"...in other words, I like. This off-white gown with side lace detail, sweeping train and metallic waistband is just right and very red carpet modern for a beauty pageant. Her hair style looks a tad "I'm Going To Lunch" but I'm OK with it. At least, she's not all bouffant "Pageant Betty".

Miss Colombia Lucia Aldana: This is a very nice gown on Miss Colombia. There's nothing extraordinary about this silver & lilac-hued sequined one-shoulder strap gown but there's also nothing wrong. It's "Pageant Safe" but Very Good Pageant Safe.

Miss France Hinarani de Longeaux: One of the favorites to win the crown--Hiranari, did not disappoint in her choice of gown for the Miss Universe 2013 Evening Gown Portrait. This blush-colored chiffon and sequined gown is both red carpet fab and very runway. It definitely sweetens her. I hope, however, that Hinarani VAMPS it up when it actually comes time for the Preliminaries and Final Telecast. This contestant needs to be ALL ABOUT SEXY Goddess! Maybe, she should think about borrowing this gown she wore at the Tony Ward Couture runway show:

Miss France Hinarami de Longeaux in Tony Ward Couture: Oui!

Miss India Manasi Mogue: Manasi wore this silver sequined gown with high side slit and side peplum detail. I'm NOT A FAN of the stacked black pumps but the gown is a Razzle Dazzle of a gown! Impacting, showstopper and sexy fab! If she did away with those stacked heels, the dress would also be the right length.

Miss Israel Yityish Aynaw: Simply perfect. A caviar-beaded ivory gown. Simple, great fit and perfect for her. It's not Couture-directional but THANK GOODNESS, it's not "Pageant Barbie" tacky either. Sublime.

Miss Philippines Ariella Arida: Ariella's gown choice for her Evening Gown Portrait is a safe but good one. This royal blue chiffon gown with silver sequined brooch accents is pretty and elegant. If there is any critique, those big ol' dangling earrings were so not necessary, especially when there were enough "jewels" in the sequined brooches. Say NO to over accessorizing. Please. PS: her hair and makeup are quite lovely.

Miss Puerto Rico Monic Perez: Fabulosa! Monic chose this black gown featuring a charmeuse skirt, sequined applique top and ruffled peplum. It's two minutes from being a little "Figure Skating Costume-ish" but it works, especially with the entire styling, her side swept hair and gorgeous makeup.

Miss Thailand Chalita Yaemwannang: Chalita wore this teal-green mermaid shaped gown that was very Zac Posen/Vera Wang-ish in its style. This was very Sofia Vergara Va-Va-Voom. I liked this gown and all its details, I just didn't like her hair; A slicked-back chignon would have added A LOT of elegance to the entire look.

Miss Trinidad and Tobago Catherine Miller: This was a nice silver-and-nude gown choice for Catherine. The sequin detail is interesting and red carpet fab! On a negative note: it's too short. Note to all beauty pageant girls: I don't want to see those big ol' pumps! #Tacky.

Miss Singapore Shi Lim: I'm not sure what is happening in the front since this is a side view, but I like it nonetheless. This silver-gray jersey gown has a 1930s vibe in its cut and side arm detail that I appreciate. It's very elegant and right for her.

Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler: Miss Venezuela wore this blush colored gown with silver sequin detail. It's a very nice gown and I have no problem with it (that's why she's here in my "Great" bunch) but I feel she's a little too covered up. I also don't like her hair. Gabriela modeled in the Tony Ward Couture show...

...and this was one of the gowns she wore and well, she looked A THOUSAND TIMES better in this--especially with slicked-back hairstyle. I hope she "brings it" like this above when it comes to the Preliminaries and Final telecast (if she gets one of the coveted Semi-Finalist spots).

Miss Vietnam Tru'o'ng Thi May: Finally this was one of my favorite gowns form this year's "Miss Universe Evening Gown Portraits". I loved the color, the silhouette and the fit. It was very impacting, elegant with a stage appeal and need I add...

She looks so much like one of my favorite "Miss Universe's" Brook Lee, from the U.S.A.

**Up Next: My "Miss Universe 2013 Evening Gown Portraits" "Oh No She Didn't/Ayyy Mija!" Group...Stay Tuned!!

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: