FASHION REVIEW

BEAUTY QUEENS IN RED
By Lavinia Otilla

The color red is strongly linked with two major emotions – that of love, romance and sensuality  and that of aggression, rage and anger. It is the color that radiates different characteristics. In this outing, we are going to review some of the pageant candidates who wore red during their competitions. Apart from the two major emotions that red stands for, it  conjures  different characteristics such  as ambivalence, attention grabbing, composure, confidence, decisiveness, energy, fierceness, liveliness, passion, purity, joy , sensuality and celebration. In my research of twelve girls, I will try to show how these characteristics emanated from the candidate herself and how the constructed gown highlighted her or not. The discussion is arranged alphabetically according to the adjective that the red stood for.

The ambivalence of the color red emanates from the emotions that it stands for. It may stand for love but may be aggressive also in the end. It may stand for victory or it may stand also for failure. It could be seen as victory when the radiance of red is exemplified. It may stand as a failure when lots of blood is expended because of war, hence  the  ambivalence  of  the  color.  One  candidate that showed such characteristic is Anna Teresa Licaros, the Philippine candidate in the Miss Universe contest in 2007. Anna Teresa was using a bustier type of dress made of lace and a red train. The gown seemed ill-fitting and does not do her justice. Bustier type of gowns highlights the greatness of one’s bosom but alas she is wanting in this aspect. The gown’s design and made is so dated that she looked old and tired in it.  She may not love her gown after all because in her preliminary performance, she feels ill at ease while walking.

Red as an Attention-grabber. Red is a color that attracts the eyes of everyone into it. Mihilanie Texeira’s red gown won the World Designer award in the Miss World 2010. Because of the gown’s  design,  it  will  call  your   attention  to  the  candidate. Many candidates’ attributes are highlighted with a good or bad gown design. And in this French Polynesia’s candidate in the Miss World 2010 was exceptionally appreciated because of a beautiful gown. The gown was culturally distinct and yet it is fashion-forward. Mihilanie was simply radiant in this gown.

Stefania Fernandez Miss Universe 2009 was in red. It was a bouffant gown with all the feather contraptions at the skirt. When Stefania made the twirl, everyone was mesmerized by it.  It was simply red meaning  purity,  joy  and celebration. She  was a delight to watch and behold. She is the girl. She is elegance personified.

Who would not forget Lara Dutta’s countenance in the Miss Universe 2000 beauty pageant? She was simply resplendent in that Venus-cut red gown. She was composed, serene and yet she exuded sophistication. She was simply radiant exuding confidence and natural charisma in her performance .

Ximena Navarette, Miss Universe 2010 is a representation of confidence. She is a depiction of an angel in red that passed by. Although some pundits say that her performance in the gown segment is a bit dull, uninspired and dud, I would say something differently. Ximena was practically full of grace and demeanor. There were no excesses in her glide. She was simply overpowering in red. The problem with red is that it may overpower the wearer but with Ximena, she has radiated in red gown. And red for her is definitely confidence.

Mafae Yunon, Philippine representative to the Miss World Beauty Pageant in 2003 wore a red gown that made her exude glowing energy and dynamism. She is full of vibrancy. Her deportment was exceedingly superb and that she was appreciated because of a well-rounded personality.

Miss China Universe 2011, Luo Zilin is fierce in red. She donned a Scherri Hill evening gown with lace brocade on the bodice and a bouffant skirt. Miss China’s supermodel demeanor is a plus factor on her side. She has height. She has the poise. She is screamingly saying I am the “one” with her moves and projection.

Carlene Aguilar,  Miss Philippines World 2005 in this profile picture simply screams sultriness, sexiness and sensuality. Her body curves are highlighted in the gown and her personality radiates immensely. Too bad despite the number rating of pollster for her she just managed a semifinal encounter at the Miss World competition.

Karen Agustin, Miss Universe Philippines 2002, used a red gown with a modified Venus-cut design. Some finds it stylish and flattering. Some finds it rubbish. Some finds it passé.  But when worn by Karen, I find sweet, cute and exudes passion; cute because it turned Karen into a doll and passionate because Karen exuded lovely charms despite her being imperfectly facially beautiful.

Johanna Solano, Miss Costa Rica Universe 2011, paraded a red gown when she was called to the Top 10. She used a red gown with a raspberry dipped in chocolate theme. Some pageant critics say that it just did not work on her although it accentuated her exquisite torso and show off her legs.  Another critic said that it was one of the worst gown performances in the recent years. The gown is unconventional and risky. And for that alone, the lingering meaning of red here emanates.

Truly, red connotes a lot of meaning.