Tuesday, January 1, 2013

THE MISS UNIVERSE 2012 TOP 10 GOWN COMPETITION


By Lavinia Otilla

Here are my personal observations on the gowns used by the candidates that competed in the evening gown competition at the Miss Universe 2012. I have discussed the candidates according to how I like the gown as well as how the candidate carried herself. So here it is:


     BRAZIL’S gown is the best gown for this Miss Universe season. It was designed such that the lines end up into the center which highlighted the good body figure of Miss Brazil. The central slit was just enough and it afforded mobility and ease in walking. It was appropriate for Miss Brazil who was exceedingly stunning and radiant in that gown.



     I would have love Miss AUSTRALIA’s gown as my wedding gown. The gown is of a sweetheart neckline, body hugging and the bottom section flowed perfectly well with Miss Australia. The silver sequins and appliqués were perfect and remarkable. It is also of note that she did not use any accessories to call attention to her neck area. Miss Australia perfectly embodied the essence of a bride in this ensemble. She walked with ease and confidence. Although not meant to showcase as a wedding gown but an evening gown, vis-à-vis it was both perfect for whatever purposes it is meant to be.


    Miss VENEZUELA changed gown for the finals. Well, if she can change her outfit, can other candidates too? Well, this girl is listening. Or is probably reading pageant blogs and forums so she changed into a green gown with exquisite design. Was it meant to highlight the Christmas season? The detailing with sequences and crystals is so laborious and like Miss Brazil’s gown, it coalesced into the center to highlight the good figure of Miss Venezuela. 


   MISS SOUTH AFRICA in that mermaid look is truly amazing. She had the gown embellished with big sequences that moves when she moves. She is such a beauty as the chiffon shoulder kerchief flows as she walks. If there is really a Goddess in this contest, it is Miss South Africa.




     MISS PHILIPPINES’ gown is made of an aqua blue iridesecent organza material. It is a strapless gown which crystal beading details on the bust area and fan-pleated full skirt. For one, I do not like the gown. It seemed tacky and cheap in looks. However when Miss Philippines worked the gown exceedingly, she underscored the dictum that it is not the gown but it is the girl that wears it. Sometimes I beg to disagree. In recent times, we have very excellent girls that were fielded to the contest and they bombed at the preliminaries because of the bad gown choices. The candidates cannot go against the organizers’ assignment of gowns for them because they have a signed a contract that they will only use what they were told to use. Okey, that is no problem. Give them the best gowns then. Why is it that they bought a Halston gown for Miss Mirriam Quiambao that cost them a fortune? Why can’t they do the same for present candidates? There are so many fashion designers who are willing to sponsor a gown for Miss Philippines and show the best of Philippine fashion in the Miss Universe arena and franchise owner Stella Marquez Araneta is still stucked with her Colombia connections. She might reason out that they are doing well. Okey again……..but it is the national pride that is also involved here.


 Miss FRANCE used a crème colored beaded gown which was serpentine in design. The beadings were perfect. There was no slit to allow easy mobility but the gown was perfectly cut and sewn and it allowed Marie Payet to traverse the stage with ease of a royalty. 



    MISS HUNGARY’S gown is another hate or love it creation. It has a strapless white satin bodice with a silver glittery appliqués to demarcate the skirt area. The skirt area is made-up of ruffled chiffon that gives a flowing motion when she walks. There is a high slit at the left side of the leg. Miss Hungary is pretty stunning and I don’t really understand, I love the simplicity of the gown.


     MISS USA is in a full ball gown. It is red in color made of silk velvet and tulle. It has a white petticoat that everyone sees as Miss USA moves the skirt every now and then.  It has a very big plunging neckline and long-sleeves. Although the gown is classy and fashion forward, it is not suited for Miss USA but as it dwarfs her.  But I think the aim of the gown for Miss USA is to attract attention. And it did. Just imagine her being in the Top 5 choices for best in gown.




    MISS RUSSIA’S gown is another hate or love it creation. It is a body suit evening gown which is royal blue in color. It is delicately embellished with beads. It looks splendid on stage but I really don’t understand her skirt with a long slit till the waistline. In my own opinion, it made her much larger than what she really is. I love this girl but in my honest opinion, she should just have the classical serpentine gown that would highlight her height and her body figure. Or if she really would want to make a statement, she should have gone back to the corset type so that her body figure would be accentuated.



      MISS MEXICO is another girl that I adore. But with a gown that I consider horrendous, she was last on the list. I believe Karina was not really comfortable with the gown. It is such a busy gown. Start from the neck area, it gives us the idea that it was copied from Karen Agustin’s gown which was paraded in Puerto Rico done by Barraza. Then, of course, it has the trimmings of a Ximena’s gown. Look at the skirt. But oh my, it seemed like the bodysuit evening gown is again in the concept for the gown of Miss Mexico.  She looks uneasy with this gown. If Miss Venezuela can change her gown, then why can’t she? 






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