Pageant Minute: Miss World 2012--World Fashion Designer Award Competition--The Best Gowns!

Beauty Pageant Evening Gowns Good:

Gown Runway: The Miss World "World Fashion Designer Award" Competition, Shanghai China

The Biggest International Beauty Pageant in the world is happening in Ordos Inner Mongolia China, as we speak--the 62nd annual Miss World 2012 (The finals are August 18th). Ordos isn't exactly Sao Paulo, Miami, Las Vegas or a typical fabulous destination to hold big international beauty pageants, but the host city payed a ton of money and from what I can see, they are doing a fantastic job organizing and showcasing their gem of a city in northern China.

 Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela

116 contestants from 116 nations, islands and territories are competing for the title of Miss World, won by Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela last year. The ladies have been in China to for several weeks, attending functions, photo-op's, rehearsals, and various events and official competitions, such as "Beach Beauty", "Sports", "Top Model", and so on.

Of the many events and competitions, one of my faves is the Miss World "World Fashion Designer Award" where all the contestants model evening gowns from fashion designers from their homelands.This contest occurred in Shanghai last week so without further pageant-gown-ado...here are my "Nick Faves" in the World Fashion Designer Award evening gowns--and don't worry kiddies, following this post I will be doing my very popular "What the HECK Was She Thinking??" posting.

Miss Sri Lanka Sumudu Prasadini: This was one of my favorite gowns from seeing the photos. This ivory gown had elements of Grecian Goddess and Sari Princess with its draped one shoulder effect. It was dramatic and elegant. Outstanding job Miss Sri Lanka and her designer. Score: 9.8

Miss Ireland Rebecca Maguire: Red was a popular color for the contestants this year (it's always a popular beauty pageant gown color!). This red with silver sequin applique plunging neckline fitted gown on Miss Ireland was one of my Top Faves from this Miss World 2012 World Fashion Designer Award Competition. This is a perfect example of a gown that can work for an international beauty pageant but in a major awards red carpet as well. It fits perfectly, her hair is great and she wisely kept the accessories to a minimum. Miss Ireland must have some Good Style Gays near her! Score: 9.9

Some other Red Dresses I liked:

China People's Republic and England:  Miss China PR Wen Xia Yu (left) wore a simple red fitted gown with sheer bateau neckline and sequin applique. She looked very pretty in it. Score 8.8.

Miss England Charlotte Holmes (right) wore a copper-red colored one shoulder gown with sequin Empire-waist detail. It flowed gloriously down the catwalk/stage and looked modern and red carpet-worthy. Score: 9.0.

Miss Philippines Queenierich (love her name!) Rehman: One of the best in RED! Her gown is very Marchesa-meets-Givenchy Couture (see "Miss Nepal" toward end of this post) the Pageant Version--it looks expensive, well-made, red carpet-and-runway ready--and fits her beautifully. Score: 9.6

Miss Colombia Barbara Turbay: This red strapless number could have easily gone into "Hoochie Coochie" territory--you've got the sheer, the high slit...but somehow it worked on her.

 Gucci Fall 2011 (left) Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 2011 (right)

Gucci and Givenchy Haute Couture recently (Fall 2011) showed a lot of gowns that were not lined--just like the red gown on Miss Colombia Barbara Turbay. Hers reminded me of one of those styles from the runways. I just wished the shoes weren't so "clunky" and why the mini box on them?? Too tacky-licious. Strappy heels huney. Next time. Score: 9.0

Printed Beauty: Usually it's Hit or Miss when wearing a printed dress---on the Red Carpet as well as in international beauty pageants. I think it works here on the very pretty Miss Ethiopia Melkam Endale. I LOVE the colors and silhouette of this dress. The neckline and gathered torso/bust detail is fabulous as well. Score: 9.2

Best in Ivory:

Georgia and Israel: Another popular color (or non color) in the pageant world is ivory/white. Lots of ladies wore white and these were several of the best, in my eyes. Miss Georgia Salome Khomeriki (top left) wore a one shoulder draped chiffon and satin gown. It featured a very high slit BUT it was rather hidden among all the chiffon over-layering. The gown was very Pronovias and it worked on her. Score: 9.2

Miss Israel Shani Hazan looks STUNNING in this fit-to-flare gown that hugs her EVERY curve perfectly. The gown itself isn't so exciting but it does the job of making her look elegant, it fits her well and she doesn't look HOOCHIE (Thank You!) . The six foot tall beauty almost looks REGAL. Score: 9.7

Miss Russia Elisaveta Golovanova stayed safe with this creme halter-style gown with yes--a big side slit (hello, it's a beauty pageant of course!). The gown wasn't earth shattering in style or "Wow" appeal but like I said, she played it safe. Score: 8.6

Miss Bolivia Mariana Garcia wore a blush-colored strapless gown (more pink than ivory but I chose to put her here nonetheless). I liked this gown. It could have gone "Feather KRAZEE" in a hot minute (wait 'till you see my "Oh NOOOO!!!" posting) but it didn't. I like the beaded swirl patterns on the dress as well and the gown fits her nicely. Score: 9.0

I think Miss Guatemala Monique Aparicio looks very "RetroFab" in this orange duchesse satin gown. The color pops onstage, and the dress looks expensive. I also love that she had added a retro hairstyle too-very Oscar de la Renta meets Jackie O--the Guatemalan version. Score: 9.4

Miss Mexico Mariana Berumen: One word: WOW.  From head to the tips of her stacked heel pumps: fab! The elegance of the black color, the waist-defining detail of the thin jeweled belt, the high-neck contrasted with the slit (yes, if there was one criticism, it's that slit is WAAAAY to high darling!). One of my faves (if only she closed up about four inches of that slit!). Score: 9.8

And finally, a "Wild Card" Good One:

Miss Nepal Shristi Shrestha (try and say her name FAST four times!): First off, she's very pretty. The picture above may not be a good one but there is something about this gown that made me stop and go "Oh, I think she looks HOT!" I know that maybe some of you out there might think it's a bit much but trust me darlings, you haven't see my "Oh Dear!" list yet. I like the gown because it's modern, it's sexy but not HOOCHIE and evokes a Couture-like feeling.

Marchesa Fall 2012 (left) and Beyonce in Givenchy Custom, Met Ball 2012

It reminds me a lot of Marchesa (above, left) and the Givenchy gown Beyonce wore to the Met Ball (right) earlier this year. Miss Nepal's gown is a good Knock-Off of both combined! Score for Miss Nepal's gown: 9.5

Up Next: My "Oh NOOOO!!!!" List from the Miss World "World Fashion Designer Award" Competition...


Here's a Sneak Peak of the MESSES:

 Feathered Vegas Gay Pride Float on Miss Ukraine

Oh Huney: Miss Mongolia is SERVING Nefertiti Mongolian Goddess!

***STAY TUNED to the rest of the Hot Messes!

Beauty Pageant Minute: Miss USA 2012 Finals--My Evening Gown Recap!!

The Girl wearing the Gown WITHOUT The HOOCHIE Slit Wins...Quelle Surprise!!!:

A Queen's Wave: Olivia Culpo "Miss Rhode Island USA 2012", the newly crowned Miss USA 2012

This past Sunday night was the Miss USA 2012 Pageant, telecast LIVE on NBC from Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas. 51 beautiful ladies representing the 50 United States plus the District of Columbia competed. And the Winner was 20 year old Olivia Culpo Miss Rhode Island USA 2012. She is one of the shortest Miss USA's standing at 1.66 m or about 5' 5"/5' 6" (some sites state her height as 5' 7" as well, so who knows!) and this is the FIRST TIME the State of Rhode Island has won the Miss USA pageant--in sixty one years!! (Go Rhode Island!) Olivia Culpo wore one of my favorite gowns when I reviewed the "Miss USA 2012 Website Portrait Evening Gowns" last week HERE.

 OMG: The moment Olivia Culpo finds out she is the new Miss USA

When I watched the LIVE telecast Sunday night, and saw her, I thought "She's GORGEOUS! There's your Winner" and I also remarked how she resembles one of those actresses on HBO's "Entourage" show, Emmanuelle Chriqui. She may not be editorial or runway model height (you need to be 5' 9" or taller, so fashion designers lending her gowns will have to, well, alter the length, kids) but she is PERFECT "Actress Height", thank you very much. Supposedly she is a cellist. Not for very long. Time to get a big Hollywood agent and go for Hosting/Acting gigs (after her Miss USA 2012 reign is over of course!).

She was a well-deserved winner--not only for her beauty, poise, perfect swimsuit figure (see above photo) but after she answered that Final Question regarding "Transgender Pageant Contestants", well, she "had it in the bag", as they say. So now that we've got that out of the way, let's discuss my "Nick V. Two Cents" of the Evening Gowns:

The Best Dressed Were:

Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011: Alyssa was giving up her crown on Sunday and she did it in style! Usually as the beauty queen who is "passing the torch" you have better choices in gowns and fashion--by the mere fact that you have been at this for a year and have access to stylists, more high-profile designers, etc. She wore two fabulous evening gowns, first when she was introduced by the evenings hosts, Andy Cohen and Giuliana Rancic, she wore a GORGEOUS ivory gathered Grecian Goddess gown with a sequined neckline and structured shoulders (above photo).

Then when she made her "Farewell Walk", she wore yet another fabulous gown (above photo)--this time a light pink sequined number that Mermaid-flared into organza and tulle ruffles. This could have gone Tacky Toddlers and Tiaras but it was anything but; she looked Paris Haute Couture Runway Model Chic!

My other "Best Dressed" was the beautiful Giuliana Rancic: I just LOVE her, for so many reasons but in terms of fashion and style, she's worn my NIKOLAKI designs in the past so she's in my "Nick Style Hall of Fame"! Not sure who the designer is of this silver and nude gown but she looked great. This, ladies, is how you do, all over embellishment/sequins.

Now, let me discuss the "Oh Dear's" of last night Live Telecast/Pageant and then, I'll get to my "Top Gowns" of the finalists...

The Intro:

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding  meets Kentucky Derby C-List: Miss Texas USA 2012 Brittany Booker (left) and Miss California USA 2012 Natalie Pack (right) doing their best through The Most Tacky-licious Miss USA Live Telecast Intro EVAH!

What. In Toddlers and Tiaras Fashion was that Intro "Fashion Show"? The Live telecast began with a supposed fashion show that was a cross between Kentucky Derby C-List, Bravo's "Real Housewives of Orange County" and Grown-Up Toddlers and Tiaras! I thought I had somehow gone back in "Pageant Time" and  it was 1992 all over again! Why don't the producers look at any of the last Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows and think THAT'S how one should open a 21st Century Live Televised Beauty Pageant/Fashion Show.

Now, the Ten Finalist's Gowns:

Miss Georgia USA 2012 Jazz Wilkins: She wore the same gown for the Preliminaries as well as Sunday night's live telecast. She loved this gown so much, in fact, that she also wore this to win her Miss Georgia USA 2012 Pageant. I thought it was HOOCHIE and Stripper-Fab back when I reviewed the Prelims HERE and well, my mind did not change last night. Jazz IS absolutely gorgeous, tall and has a PERFECT figure. So, why did she need to press the matter wearing a plunging neckline exposing her cha-cha's; slit up to her you-know-what and then, it was BACKLESS! Seriously Jazz? It was interesting to see how, during the Finals, her "Miss Georgia" sash was double-stick taped to her plunging cleavage, thereby covering that part of her body--wisely.  
My Unofficial Nick Judging Score For Miss Georgia: 7.8 out of 10

Sequined Ladies: Semi-Finalists Miss Alabama USA Katherine Webb (a favorite to win) (left) and  Miss  Colorado USA Marybel Gonzalez (right)--these two ladies did good in terms of their evening gowns. I liked Alabama's better than Colorado's but Miss Colorado USA, Marybel WORKED the runway and had SO much stage presence. She watched all those Miss Puerto Rico and Miss Venezuela Pageants and learned A LOT, huney!

Miss Alabama USA: 8.2; Miss Colorado USA 8.4

Miss Ohio USA Audry Boute: Miss Ohio USA 2012 wore the same canary yellow strapless silk shantung gown she wore for her "Portrait Evening Gown", as well as the Preliminaries. I liked this gown at every stage of the competition. It was very 1996, in terms of its silhouette and styling but it fit her well, the color was perfect for her and she stood out in a good way. PS: Bless Her Heart on that Final question and referring to Julia Roberts and "Pretty Woman". Bless Her Heart.

My Evening Gown Score: 8.9

Ivory Queen: Miss Nevada USA 2012 Jade Kelsall looked AMAZING Sunday night but I can see how she might have come off as aloof and too "model"-like. And yes, after the "well, we had been up at 4 am to answer that 'who's the Vice President of the USA' question.." She didn't fare so well. If I was her, I would not have made excuses and have been all "We have no knowledge of POLITICS darling, all we do is Facebook and Tweet!". In terms of her gown, it was gorgeous. She looked very "Spartan Princess". I just do not know why she over-accessorized so much. Why all the extra necklaces Jade? Not necessary.  

My Score: 8.5

Miss New Jersey USA Michelle Leonardo: Michelle, on the other hand, kept it clean when it came to the accessories and looked fresh and Pageant Pretty in her ivory halter neckline jersey gown with sequined midriff. It wasn't original but it fit her well, and she worked the stage with it.  

My Score: 9.0

Beaded Ladies:  

Miss Oklahoma USA Lauren Lundeen wore one of my favorite gowns as I mentioned during my Review of the Preliminaries. It was nude-colored backed and embellished with countless multicolored mirrored crystals. It was modern, directional yet still "Pageant Perfect". Her bun was a little high and yes, those stacked LEGO-looking pumps (Thanks Global Beauties for that Perfect reference!) were a bit much...but still an impacting overall look.

My Score: 9.5

Miss Texas USA 2012 Brittany Booker: Supposedly this lovely lady is a good Christian girl. Well....looking at this "I'm a Stripper in West Hollywood" gown it's hard to understand...what do you guys think? My opinion is that she's STUNNING and did not need to look so HOOCHIE...It's great for a Vegas Showgirl Act and Revue, or as a Back-Up Dancer for Cher, Celine Dion, or Elton John...but as a Miss USA evening gown??

My Score for Evening Gown: 7.5

Finally, the Top Two:

Miss Maryland USA Nana Meriwether: Nana Meriwether was THE Star--or Star Runner-Up of the night. Born in South Africa, six foot tall Nana tried out for Miss California USA a bunch of times (My sister Rita Verreos even runway trained her in one of those Miss California tries) finally she was wise to move on---and went on to "Miss  Maryland USA" where she won. And good for her! She looked GLORIOUS at last night's "Miss USA 2012" Finals. Her white chiffon gown with silver leaf-like detail evoked visions of Aphrodite at Mt. Olympus: Flawless.

Score: 9.8

Miss Rhode Island USA Olivia Culpo: I loved her raspberry chiffon Empire-style gown back in the Miss USA Website Profile Photos and she wore it also for the Preliminaries and she decided to not change when it came time for the Finals. No HOOCHIE Slit. No HOOCHIE Plunging neckline. She looked elegant, glamorous, red carpet-ready. It was perfect. These Empire-cut "flinging chiffon" gowns are popular as of late and it can get a bit of a "OK, enough of the chiffon Empire Dresses!" however, I would take these gowns over HOOCHIE Slit-Up-To-The-Ya-Ya-These-Are-My-Breasts ones ANY DAY.

My Score for her Evening Gown: 9.8.

Congrats to Olivia, the new Miss USA. Good Luck at Miss Universe 2012--wherever it may be. And hope you choose a FABULOUS evening gown. PS: Call me!!

Red Carpet HIGH Slit Minute: Model Jessica White LOVES a Slit

 A (BLOG) Tale of a Model, Her Legs and Love of the Slit...

Ooooh Huney, that is CLOSE: Jessica White at Gotham Magazine's The Jacob's Cure Gala Honoring Donny Deutsch on Wednesday May 2 2012

5' 9 1/2" US-born supermodel Jessica White (Maybelline contract, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and much more), actress and every-now-and-then-DJ...

Model Jessica White, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

LOVES a red carpet event, and more importantly LOVES to show her legs---as in making sure almost every other gown she wears has to have a big ol' "Beauty Pageant Slit". Now, you know that A) I LOVE models; B) I also adore Beauty pageants; and finally...

NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul watercolor print silk chiffon gown

I do like a slit in a gown--as long as it's not showing the wearer's  you-know-what! Well, kids, Jessica has come very close to "COOCHIE Heaven" in some of her most recent carpet appearances. Last week, at Gotham Magazine's The Jacob's Cure Gala Honoring Donny Deutsch party, she wore a strapless sequined ombre gown with a VERY HIGH side slit/opening that got dangerously close to exposing her "Not-so-Supermodel" area (see photo at top of posting). This unfortunately, has not been the only time Jessica has come close to a "Gown Malfunction":

On April 17th, Jessica White attended the Tribeca Film Festival Vanity Fair Party at the New York Court House, she wore this:

A creme beaded crew-neck tank gown with chiffon gathered and draped attached skirt. While it looks fine in these poses and yes, I love the "Figure Skating Costume on the Red Carpet" element--take a look at when the wind hit it:

Ooooh Girl: Here's one piece of stand-and-pose advice--DO NOT HOLD the layers of your gown in a way that might expose your CHA-CHA. Just sayin'. Even the guy in the unsightly plaid, jean and high-top sneaker ensemble behind you is calling the Fashion "Stand-and-Pose" Police as we speak! And HE needs a lesson in dressing.

This is what she wore to the "9th Annual Spring Dinner Dance" at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel NYC:

Check out my Thigh, People: Last month, Jessica White attended the "9th Annual Spring Dinner Dance New Year's in April: A Fool's Fete" at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in NYC, wearing yet another dress with a high side slit. This time, the gown had a cross over wrap-dress style. But still, Miss Jessica showed the photographers A LOT of leg.

This is what she wore to the "amfAR NY Gala Benefit to Kick Off NY Fall 2012 Fashion Week":

Mini or Long Gown: Back in February, to kick off NYC Fall 2012 Fashion Week, at the "amfAR NY Gala Benefit" , Miss Jessica decided to show leg--once again--but NO SLIT!! Has Fashion H*** frozen over? Nope, she's still managed to almost show her lady part wearing a strapless red gown that was part Las Vegas Hooker mini dress/part chiffon gown. It was one of those 1990's-type gowns that was "Am I a mini dress or am I a long gown?" Here's my advice to Miss White: stick to the "I am just a GOWN!" I'm actually a fan of the controversial High/Low gown, but this dress has a bit too much high and not enough low!

And this is what she wore to the NYC Premiere of  Madonna's directorial debut "W.E" in January:

The stunning model wore a violet-blue silk dolman-sleeved wrap gown to the premiere of Madonna's "W.E.",at the Ziegfeld Theatre in NYC back in January of this year. The gown wrapped dangerously high as she did an "Angelina Jolie" and put her leg out there for the pose. As you can see, Miss Jessica LOVES her legs--and a gown that exposes at least one of her lovely legs---and sometimes comes close to exposing waaaay tooo much.
Which one of model Jessica White's high-slit almost-cha-cha exposing gowns is HIGH Style or just HOT Mess???