Miss Earth ; Evening Gown Final Competition

Miss Earth 2013 Evening Gown Just Right : Miss Kosovo Donika Emini (left) and Miss Mexico Kristal Silva (right)

Photos Courtesy of Miss Earth Pageant Facebook

Well, it's almost the end of the year and we just finished with two "biggies" in terms of beauty pageants--Miss World and Miss Universe...but we're not done yet: the 13th edition of the Miss Earth Pageant is taking place in the Philippines with the Final Telecast occurring on December 7th at the Versailles Palace in Alabang, Muntinlupa City (an outer suburb of the capital, Manila), Philippines. Miss Earth is an annual international pageant promoting environmental awareness. Along with Miss Universe and Miss World, it's one of three largest international beauty pageants--in terms of entrants. This year's edition is aligned with "The International Year of Water Cooperation".

  The Top Three Evening Gown Medalists: (left to right) Miss Philippines Angelee delos Reyes
(3rd Place, Bronze), Miss Venezuela Alyz Henrich (1st Place, Gold), and Miss Nepal Rojisha Shahi Thakuri
(2nd Place, Silver)

 Crimson Hotel Ballroom--site of the Miss Earth 2013 Evening Gown Final Competition

This year's contest features 89 contestants from all over the world. They have been in the Philippines for the last couple of weeks competing in "Challenge Events" including Talent, National Costume and  Swimsuit to name a few. Naturally, the Challenge Event I'm most interested in is the Evening Gown Final Competition. This was held last night at the Grand Ballroom of the Crimson Hotel in Alabang. All the contestants modeled in front of a selected panel of judges and competed for the Gold, Silver and Bronze...in Evening Gown. So, let's not waste any more time and get to the Evening Gown Review. First up in this post are the Good Ones. And yes, following this post I will be talk about the "Oh Dear's!" and there were plenty unfortunately...

First, The Best:

The Gold Medal Evening Gown Winner: Miss Venezuela Alyz Henrich--Alyz won last night for her silver strapless gown featuring a heavily pailletted design with gold/silver waist-defining belt. It was a nice gown and I can see why it received top honors. The big ol' earrings are a big much, especially with what's already going on with the gown, but yes, she's from Venezuela, those girls can't resist big ol' earrings!

Silver Medal, Evening Gown: Miss Nepal Rojisha Shahi Thakuri--Rijisha received the 2nd place  from judges with this baby blue mermaid shaped gown featuring silver and gold embroidered/lace crystals, long sleeves and plunging v-neckline. From head to toe, it was impacting but rather "Pageant Betty" for my taste; it looked a little dated (1990s). But in terms of a "total look", it was a nice presentation.

Bronze Medal, Evening Gown; Miss Philippines Angelee delos Reyes--Angelee got third place with this ivory gown that had a plain flared floor-length skirt attached to a lace-and-sequined mock-neck top with long sleeves. The top had a lot going on (were those silver mirrored sequins really necessary at the neckband?) and I am always cautious (and uncomfortable) of dresses that encircle the woman's breast area--such as this. But oh well, what do I know, those judges thought this was third best!



Here are ACTUALLY some of MY Favorites:

Miss Kosovo Donika Emini--I loved Donika's gown. It was classic, elegant and styled correctly--from her hair, delicate earrings and makeup. The gown featured a sheer netting neck and 3/4 sleeve section highlighted by silver sequined accents and a full gathered skirt with slit and ruched bodice. One of my faves.

Miss Mexico Kristal Silva--Wow! Kristal wore a one-shoulder gown with multicolored paillettes in a very "Water Theme" color combination of teal, algae green, lilac, purple, turquoise and baby blues. Her hair, makeup and accessories were DIVINE. Exquisite Miss Earth Mexico!

Miss Trinidad and Tobago Ariana Rampersad--Ariana's gown was very similar to Miss Mexico's in its multicolored paillette fabrication. But in terms of silhouette, hers was a halter neckline and did not have side cut out's. I liked it--it was impacting, had the right amount of stage presence "sparkle" and fit her beautifully.

Miss Belize Amber Rivero--Amber may be only 5' 5" tall but she looks very statuesque in this elegant and very red carpet perfect gown. The strapless gown, features a light blue color, metallic lace applique and sequined-and-shirred bodice. Her hair, makeup and jewels are just right. Good job Amber--and your "Miss Earth Belize" Glam Team (if there is one!).

Miss Zambia Winnie Fredah-Kabwe--Winnie looks gorgeous in this strapless white sequined gown with silver jeweled bustline edge. It is simple yet still packs a "Gown punch". I love that it is the perfect length and I don't see any tacky platform "Stripper" heels...and her hair and accessories are almost non-existent (good styling choice Winnie!).

Miss Brazil Priscilla Martins--Priscilla wore a halter style gold sequined "mermaid lite" style gown. it was not "Earth-shaking" in terms of design but it fit nicely and she looked "Pageant Right". I am frightened by the shoes she wore with this, however--they are poking out very little and I just hope they stay hidden!

Miss Gabon Filiane Mayombo Koundi--Kudos to Filiane who looked beautiful in this ivory v-neck sleeveless metallic lace gown. The length is perfect, the color is just right and her hair and earrings worked. Congrats darling on this!

Miss Romania Ioana Mihalache--Ioana wore this gold lame gown that was simple yet impacting. the fit was perfect and so was the length. Her straight modern hair also mirrored the clean simple lines of this gown. This look would definitely be a Red Carpet "Yes!".

Miss Poland Aleksandra Szczęsna--Aleksandra also wore a very simple clean gown and I was a fan. Her choice as a light golden colored boat-neck sheath gown with fit-and-flared silhouette. Her hair was modern and chic...like the gown.

Miss Switzerland Djoa Strassbourg--Djoa brightened up the Evening Gown Final Competition in this strapless magenta pink gown with silver sequined bust and multi-layered below-the-knee detail. The whole head-to-toe look is A LOT and rather "Pageant Betty" but maybe I've been seeing one too many pageant gowns because I kinda like it!

Miss Russia Olesya Bosloviak--Olesya's red-over-nude gown was unusual and leaned more toward the "couture"-like quality. I appreciated all the sequin and applique work as well as the directional shoulder detail. Very editorial and runway.

Miss China PR Lisa Xiang--Lisa's gown would not be one of my favorites on any other day but here, it's a standout for being "unusual" and in a good, creative--and cultural way. I even like the styling and that headband. Yes, she's two minutes from looking a bit "Cray-Cray" and National Costume-y but...I likey!



***NEXT UP: The "Uh Oh's!" of the Miss Earth Evening Gown Final Competition--Wait until you see these gowns!!