WHO WORE WHAT?.....Latin Billboard Awards 2013: Bueno, Pageant Chicas, Ayyy Mija!

 Paulina Rubio--Premios Billboard 2013--Coral Gables Florida

This past Thursday, April 25th, the Premios Billboard 2013--the Latin Billboard Awards--took place at the Bank United Center in Miami (actually Coral Gables, Florida). The Premios Billboard de la Musica Latina is an award show which began in 1990 and has been televised on the TELEMUNDO Network since 1999, honoring the Top Billboard Chart musicians in the Latino Music World. Now, more importantly, let's get to the Alfombra Roja, or Red Carpet.

I've been to a lot of these Latino Awards events--such a Premios Juventud when I designed outfits for the Chica Orbit---and it's always a BLAST, and it's always fun to see what my Latino "brothers and sisters" will turn up in. Sometimes it's Muy Bueno but a lot of the times it's "Ayyyy Mija!"...and I LOVE IT! The top Trends included LONG gowns, and Pageant Girls, as well as Prom looks, there were some mini looks as well.  And for the men, well, that's coming up in Part Dos...so let's get right to it:

 The Pageant Chicas

Cynthia Olavarria: Cynthia is a former "Miss Puerto Rico Universe" and competed in the Miss Universe 2005 pageant--she's also a model, TV host and actress. Naturally as a former Pageant Girl, she gave you pageant and Red Carpet Fab, all at once. It's pretty fabuloso, this strapless ivory with gold applique gown with mermaid shape. It helps that Cynthia is STUNNING!

Gaby Espino: Venezuelan telenovela actress and model, Gaby Espino wore a long white princess-seamed gown with sprinkled sequined detail at the shoulders and neckline. It was VERY Pageant and very Figure Skating Costume. I  don't think she necessarily needed that gold belt. It looks like it doesn't belong.

Dad Dager: Venezuelan actress Dad (yes kids, her first name is Dad!) wore a canary yellow (a very HOT color for Spring 2013!) strapless gown with side slit, cascading ruffles and black satin ribbon belt. It's very "Pageant Girl Lite"

Daniela Navarro: Red, princess-seamed mermaid shape and sequined applique...it all equals to Pageant Girl! Daniela is a Venezuela-born telenovela actress (seems like a trend here!). For the Premios Billboard 2013, she wore this very Pageant-style gown in red with a high boat neck with sequin applique detail and horsehair stiffening hem trim. The braided hairstyle and matching red clutch was just Too Mucheey for me. The stylist should have chosen a gold clutch and just given her a chignon.

Natti Natasha: Dominican Reggaeton and Latin pop singer Natti wore this royal blue head-to-toe sequin gown for the Latin Billboard Awards last week. It's just a little "cheap", in terms of the fabric. I can get this at JoAnn's--for $5/yard. Let's be a little more innovative here. Por Favor. But on a good note, she was covered up and not looking HOOCHIE like some of those other Reggaeton ladies.

Catherine Siachoque: Colombian telenovela actress Catherine--known for her VILLAINESS DIVA roles--wore a very Pageant fab one shoulder black and nude gown for the Latin Billboard Awards 2013. The dress is OK if not a little bit "been there done that", but I just have a problem with that side-swept hair style and dangling earrings; it's so 1996.

Natasha Dominguez: Telemundo Network actress and First Runner Up at the Miss Venezuela 2008 pageant and Finalist to the Elite Model Venezuela 2006 Contest Natasha wore this black sequined gown with bias-binding trim front neckline detail. I would have removed those dangling things ASAP and then, I would have chosen better heels. Just sayin...

Los Horoscopos de Durango: They are one of the longest running recording groups in the Regional Mexican genre performing Duranguese banda music. Good for them. But their red carpet gowns: Oh HUNEY: Pageant Girls Meets Tejano. Look at these girls. Seriously. Look at them.  I am both IN LOVE and at the same, I want them to be on RuPaul's Drag Race. Like mañana! BTW: Is that Mary Hart in the middle --the sexy version???


Well Done:

Maritza Rodriguez: Colombian telenovela actress Maritza Rodriguez shined on the red carpet with this strapless peplum mermaid blue organza gown. The BEST of the night, for sure.

Leslie Grace: NY-born singer-songwriter of Dominican descent, wore this red gown with black waistband gown for the Latin Billboard Awards 2013. She looked elegant, classy and very lady-like. I also LOVED the contrast clutch. The belt and her hair accessory is a little too matchy-matchy but other than that, well done.

Michelle Vargas: Dominican Republic-born telenovela actress and model Michelle Vargas, was one of the stand-out's of Thursday night's Billboards Awards red carpet. Her light blue-green gown fit her perfectly and was styled in a minimal way. The bodice on the dress is gorgeous!

Adamari Lopez: Puerto Rican actress and host of Telemundo morning show "Un Nuevo" looks FABULOSA in this canary yellow chiffon "Goddess" gown. Everything fits right, the plunging neckline, the draping, the side draped cowls, the train...it's a hot minute from going into "Pageant" territory, but the sleeked hair and minimal accessories brings her into Red Carpet mode!

Elizabeth Ortiz: My Lifestyle Magazine President Elizabeth Ortiz looked GREAT on this apple green plunging neckline gown with goldbelt. Love the color and sleekness of the dress. Very modern.

Daisy Fuentes: Daisy Fuentes wore this black and silver gown and looked perfect for the night.

The Prom Chicas

Paulina Rubio: Pink and short. Get used to it.

 Crash: Prom Fab-a-Licious nude tulle and black strapless dress.The shoes are a little much.

Gabby Villanueva and Ivana Rodriguez: : Hi-low Prom Girls. If I had to choose, I would pick Ivana on the right as my fave of these two, but seriously, did these girls go to the Prom Section at their local Macy's to buy these?

America Sierra: Bubblegum pink, strapless, tiered ruffles...The Prom Prize Goes To...singer America Sierra. I like the color but the upper bustier gathers/draping looks a little discombobulated and I think between the shape, strapless silhouette and bright color, it went to Prom Season in UN MINUTO.

The "Uh Oh!":

Rosario Flores: Spain-born Diva Rosario Flores wore a green-and-gold mini body-con dress with black peep-toe booties to Thursday night's Latin Billboard Awards. I like the dress, but maybe not on her. Not sure of the entire mix of styling, the distracting black open-toe booties and the messy hair. What do you guys think?

Felicia Mercado: Mexican telenovela actress Felicia Mercado looks like a Mother-of-the-Bride in this lace embroidered and gathered gown. The gown fits her OK and looks expensive but I think it ages her. And so does that up-do. She belongs in a very well-to-do wedding in Mexico City, not at the Premios Billboard in this gown.

Martha Pabon: Colombian actress Martha Pabon thought she was somehow going on a cruise to The Bahamas not the Latin Billboard Awards. All she's missing is her Buffet ticket and Bloody Mary. Pobrecita.

Check out what I predicted for the Premios Billboard 2013 Red Carpet when I was interviewed by "La Opinion" HERE (it is in Spanish by the way)

Next Up--Part Two: The Men of Premios Billboard/Latin Billboard Awards 2013...The Good, The "Resort Wear" and the "Uh Oh!"