SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2013 GOWN REVIEW Part 1: Winner, Top 10 Finalists

Kisses: The newly-crowned "Miss World 2013", Megan Young "Miss World Philippines"--Miss World 2013 Final Show, Nusa Dua Indonesia

This past Saturday night, in Bali Indonesia, a new "Miss World" was crowned. as I wrote about in a previous post HERE, the beautiful 1. 73 M (5' 8") tall model/actress/TV presenter Megan Young, who represented the Philippines won the coveted title over 126 other beauties from all over the world. 

First Ever: Megan Young "Miss World 2013", the first-ever Philippines representative to win the coveted crown--Miss World 2013 Final Show, Nusa Dua Indonesia

This was the first time that the beauty pageant-loving nation of the Philippines has EVER won a "Miss World" title, arguably the most important of all the international beauty pageant crowns. In my last "Miss World 2013" post here on my blog, I highlighted her win, the televised pageant (it was very good!) so now, it's time to discuss the most important subject...THE EVENING GOWNS!!!

 Pageant Gowns 101--Miss World 2013 Finals, Nusa Dua Indonesia

Yes, kids, it's time for my "Miss World Gown Review"--Now, before we get to the review I wanted to take a moment to discuss last year's "Miss World" Yu  Wenxia from China:

Miss World 2012 Yu Wenxia: As the outgoing "Miss World", she looked FABULOUS. The gown was so sexy, so modern, so red carpet ready! This almost-sheer fitted gown featured long sleeves, a high neckline and silver/ gray sequins throughout in a very original pattern. I loved everything about it.

Let's now really begin my "Gown Review"--with "Gown Scores" (10 being the Top)--with THE WINNER and with what turned out to be one of THE BEST (if not, the best!) gown worn by any of the 127 contestants (all photos courtesy of Miss World Facebook):

Miss World 2013 Megan Young "Miss Philippines": Megan looked resplendent in her light rose-pink mermaid style gown in tulle with sequin applique. The gown was designed by Filipino designer Francis Libiran, who had a stint on America's Next Top Model and in fact Tyra has worn one of his designs. The gown was one of the best of the night; it fit perfectly, looked expensive and well made and yes, all that she was missing was the crown!
Score: 10.

First Runner-up Miss France Marine Lorphelin: First off, Marine is STUNNING! She had one of the most beautiful faces of the pageant--next to Megan Young, the winner. She looks like someone who should be dating George Clooney! Her gown was nice. She also wore a mermaid style gown in a light blush color, with tulle at the bottom and a satin and sequined applique torso section with the back semi-exposed. It was a bit "Pageant Betty" and not so "high fashion" but when you have THAT face, you can be excused for not having the perfect gown.
Score: 9.45

Second Runner-up Miss Ghana Carranzar Naa Okailey Shooter: Miss Ghana wore a Sapphire blue fitted gown with sheer top neck section in satin with a chiffon sequined applique over-layer. The gown fit well, was the correct floor-length and overall, looked quite marvelous onstage.
Score: 9.25

The Rest of the Top 6:

Miss Spain Elena Ibarbia: Elena looked very pretty in this strapless fit-to-flare white gown which featured a bow neckline and cascade side ruffle detail. It was very "Pronovias" slightly wedding gown in its color and style. I'm glad she chose to let her hair down in order to "modernize" the look and not take it to a "Pageant Betty" level. Muy Bien Elena!
Score: 9.70

Miss Brazil Sancler Frantz: Sancler also wore a white gown for the Miss World 2013 Final Show. Hers was a bit much and verging on looking 1990s in its overuse of "stuff": you've got the white satin (which looks a tad polyester-y), then the jeweled sequins, matching jeweled earrings, the sheer sleeves, and if that wasn't enough, let's just throw on a big tulle back overskirt. It needed editing. On a good note: I do love those jeweled details in the bodice...very Gionni Straccia (Venezuelan pageant-gown designer).
Score: 8.99

Miss Gibraltar Maroua Kharbouch: Maroua made it into the Top 6 Finalists as the "People's Choice" pick. Congrats to her, however, she might not be getting MY "People's Choice" pick for this gown. I like the sequined top section but, for the most part, the gown looks like a Figure Skater who got Shipwrecked...at the Rock of Gibraltar.
Score: 7.5

The Rest of the Top 10:

Miss Australia Erin Holland: Erin wore a purple colored full gown that featured cascading chiffon details down the skirt and a nude illusion sequined top section. I like the color and embroidery work of the top. I don't think the addition of chiffon cascade ruffles down the skirt were necessary. This was another gown in need of editing, but was pretty.
Score: 9.00

Miss Nepal Ishani Shrestha: Ishani won the coveted "Beauty with a Purpose" prize and therefore made it into the Top 10. She wore a very simple lipstick red silk shantung off-the-shoulder gown. Nothing extraordinary. This is a gown one could buy at the "After Five" section at Macy's. While I respect it's simplicity, I feel for the "Miss World" you might want to take it up a notch...or two. I think that is what she was trying to do by wearing that big ol' diamante necklace. And let's just say, I wasn't a fan of that necklace; it looked too Prom & Pageant 1987.
Score: 8.00

Miss England Kirsty Heslewood: Cute and bubbly Kirsty looked soooo, well, cute! But that's it. She wore this strapless royal blue mermaid shaped gown with a gathered top section and multi-tiered bottom. I think the combination of her hairstyle, the necklace, the color of the dress, the mermaid silhouette...it didn't have any "high fashion" edge. She looked like a 16 year-old girl at her prom. I just want to give her fruit punch (not spiked of course!). Imagine her with her hair in a chignon, wearing a silver sequined column gown; she would be a whole other woman...and one I would really notice, in a good way!
Score: 8.45

Miss Indonesia Vania Larissa: Vania won the Talent Competition. She sang. Very well. I liked this gown which she wore for the Finals. It was a blue with silver sequins fitted dress with a sheer/sequins high neckline and a chiffon train. The fabric looks like beautiful Sari fabric which is something I admire. I just HATE seeing her big platform heels; such a no-no! The dress was too short and was also a bit too tight, as she had trouble walking on the stage and down the stairs of the stage. It made for an uncomfortable and certainly, ungraceful walk.
Score: 8.80

Miss Jamaica Gina Hargitay: The last of our Top Ten wore this turquoise blue satin mermaid shaped gown featuring A LOT of details: The fitted torso/top section had an interesting asymmetrical neckline and was heavily beaded; more beads and sequins trickled down toward the hips and bottom half of her gown; then, there were ruffles at the hem as well. This is another dress in need of EDITING. Listen,  you DO NOT have to throw everything AND the kitchen sink into a pageant gown. But I do think the color was a good choice especially against her skin tone.
Score: 8.55

**Next Up: My "Part Two of Miss World 2013 Gown Review"--the rest of the Top 20 plus some Great Gowns that didn't end up in the "Top 20" as well as.... "Girl! What Were You Thinking?"...Stay Tuned!

Here's a SNEAK PEAK:

Well Done United States

 Oh No. Big Bird Sequins Meets Can Can.