SASHES AND TIARAS....Best Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2015!

Best Pageant Gowns of 2015--(Clockwise L to R), Miss Philippines Universe; Miss Colombia Universe 2015/2016; Miss Lebanon at Miss World 2015; Miss Vietnam at Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries; Miss Colombia Universe; Miss Thailand Universe

Well Pageant Fans, it's that time again: My End of the Year Best and "Uh Oh!" Lists. As usual, in 2015 I covered lots of international and national pageants--in relation to one of my favorite subjects: the Evening Gowns--giving my insight and analysis on the Good, Oh Dear! and Pageant Betty of Beauty Pageant Gowns throughout various competitions during the year so...in following with tradition here on my blog, it's time for my Best of 2015 Beauty Pageant Gown List.
And don't you worry, following this will be the "Oh Dear!/Ayyy Mija!" List of 2015.
But for now, here were some of my FAVORITE Pageant Gowns of 2015. I've divided them by pageant, staring with...

Miss Universe 2015---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez-Arevalo: I absolutely LOVED this gown! It was one of my favorites from the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries and it was probably THE BEST one of the Miss Universe 2015 Finals. It was exquisitely made, fit UBER perfect, the crystals looked INCREDIBLE on stage; it reminded me of a $100,000 Atelier Versace-like gown. This strapless column design was both Pageant Perfect as well as Red Carpet Fabulous (Take note Miss Venezuela Organization!). Every national pageant in the world should take note of what a pageant girl should wear. Oh, and notice, there is no HOOCHIE too-high slit, and we can't see the platform heels. What a novel evening gown idea! 

Miss Thailand Aniporn Chalermburanawong: Wow. I loved this gown when she wore it for the Miss Universe 2015 Preliminaries and I still loved it at the Finals. This ivory satin and silver crystal embellished gown was EVERYTHING. This, by the way (note to Miss USA Olivia Jordan) is how you "do" a cape! If there was any critique, it's the shoes she wore; not a fan. Strappy heels next time. This lovely woman is almost six feet tall and there's no need for those platform heels. 

Miss France Flora Coquerel: Flora looked stunning onstage at the Miss Universe 2015 Finals. When she walked out in this red strapless gown, she literally took my breath away. Especially with the clean styling and chic swept-back hair. The gown fit her beautifully and looked architecturally perfect on her. I also LOVED that she chose NOT to wear those tacky ubiquitous Stripper Platform Heels. Merci Flora. She knew better and instead, opted for modern T-strap heels. I feel this gown and styling clinched her spot in the Top 5. For sure. Elegant, sexy, impacting. And yes, Classy.

Miss Philippines Pia Wurtzbach: Pia wore a different gown for the Preliminaries (which I wasn't a 100% fan of, it was a bit dated and not so SUPER-fab). Well, thank goodness, she changed. For the Finals she wore a royal blue silk gazar gown designed by Filipino designer Albert Andrada. His inspiration for Pia’s evening gown was "The Pearl of the Orient". He said this of the gown: "Tiny sapphire colored crystals are mixed with the bead work and cascade towards the front of the gown, representing beautiful sands of our beaches...the gown has a hem of draped multiple folds at the back, which are like fins of the different beautiful fishes found in Philippine waters. The color blue represents the tranquility of the deep blue Philippine seas as well  as a tribute to Pia’s queenly beauty. Blue was also her choice of color to wear to Miss Universe." It was a gorgeous and impacting gown.
--------------------------------------------------------- **UPDATE: Thanks to a keen Blogger reader here, I forgot to include the Very Good Gowns from the Miss Universe 2014 Pageant that actually DID OCCUR in 2015--January 2015 to be exact so...Thank You for reminding me Dear Blog Reader! 

Here are some Gowns from the Miss Universe 2014-2015 Pageant which made the Best of 2015 List:

Miss Colombia (and eventual Miss Universe 2014) Paulina Vega: One word: WOW! When Paulina walked onstage in this shimmery silver sequined column gown, I gasped! Paulina looked magnificent--like the perfect winner! The gown fit PERFECTLY. It was modern, red carpet fab, had stage presence, and her styling was fresh, modern and on-point. This gown certainly is worth placing it here on my Best of 2015 List.

Paulina was Two-for-Two because not only was her "Finals" gown Fab enough for inclusion on my Best of 2015 List but so was her "Evening Gown Portrait" Gown:

This gown above was also superb. The golden\nude sequined bias-cut dress is perfect for an A-List Hollywood actress at any top awards show. Paulina looks every bit a STAR in this style which features a plunging neckline and delicate shoulder-grazing crystal straps. This was a classic, beautiful well-done gown. Bravo on both Paulina (and her Miss Colombia Organization style/glam squad!).

Miss Ukraine Diana Harkusha: I just about dropped my dinner and glass of red wine...when I saw Miss Universe Ukraine wear one of my favorite gowns from the Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall 2014 collection. Yes, kids, it's COUTURE! And would cost in the high regions of $100,000+ if you were to order it! The strapless silk organza gown features all hand-sewn crystals (the gown is also HAND SEWN!), an asymmetrical front silhouette with exaggerated cascade drapes. I also loved that she did an elegant center-front parted high bun to give it an added extra "I'm a DIVA who is wearing a FABULOUS $100,000 gown!" exclamation mark. One of the Best of 2015 Beauty Pageants!

Miss Russia Yulia Alipova: Miss Universe Ukraine wasn't the only contestant wearing actual Paris Haute Couture...Miss Russia was not about to be overshadowed darlings! Yulia wore another of my favorite gowns of 2015 in this crimson red silk satin ball gown from Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2013. This gown is absolute perfection: it's Grace Kelly Hollywood Glamour classic, elegant and features all the details of a true Couture dress. It is all hand made, has hand sewn crystal applique and the folded skirt drapes add exuberant sweeping drama. Ball Gown Perfection!

Miss Russia was also Two-for-Two during the Miss Universe 2014 pageant which aired in January of this year (2015)--She also wore another $100,000+ costing Haute Couture gown and this was just for the "Evening Gown Portraits":

Miss Russia Yulia Alipova wore this Elie Saab Haute Couture from his Fall 2014 collection for the Miss Universe 2014 Website's Evening Gown Portraits. This gown is truly a work of Couture art! And probably cost about $175,000. Not sure if she actually ordered it and bought it, or she may have a very, very rich Russian Arms Dealer boyfriend who did! Or she pulled lots of strings to borrow it from the Elie Saab Press Office...whatever she did, I'm glad! The dramatic ball gown shape, the incredible print, the hand-placed strawberry-colored flower sequin appliques on the bodice and torso area...this gown is one of those dresses that can SHUT IT DOWN once she steps on stage. Bravo for Yulia and her two gowns making it in my Best of 2015 List.

Miss Jamaica Kaci Fennell: I loved this red gown worn by Miss Universe Jamaica Kaci Fennell. She was one of the favorites to win the crown and I can see why; she exuded major confidence, she's beautiful, and has THE sexiest/sassiest runway walk! This red sequined applique gown could have gone a bit tacky-licious but the mini cap sleeve, high neck, lack of HOOCHIE slit, and her slicked pixie hairstyle...among other things...brought it all into chic, red carpet fab! Very good!

Miss Spain Desiree Cordero: Desiree wore one of my favorite gowns of the pageant. It was a strapless silver/ivory fitted Siren-like gown that featured exquisitely placed sequins and jewels. The fit was fabulous and she stunned onstage. Loved it!

Miss Venezuela Migbelis Castellanos: I loved this Gionni Straccia-designed off-the-shoulder ivory sequined gown on Migbelis. I have to BOW down to the Gionni Straccia Atelier in Caracas (or wherever he has these gowns made) because that sequin and jewel work is OUT OF THIS WORLD! I think Migbelis did herself a disservice by putting her hair in the front; she looked like she had NO NECK. She should have pushed her hair back. But taking her hair out of the equation, this gown was Pageant Perfection.

Miss World 2015------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Lebanon Valerie Abou Chacra: GORGEOUS. Yes. Definitely. Miss Lebanon was one of the favorites to win the Miss World crown and I can see why. This gown was STUNNING. It was a design from Zuhair Murad Spring/Summer 2015 Haute Couture collection. The gown featured a plunging neckline, long sleeves, nude silk tulle with hand-sewn ivory beads and crystals and a full gathered overskirt sewn onto a column gown. This gown probably retails for about $100,000 if you were to place an order (and you were the wife of a Chinese Billionaire!). I am sure she didn't pay that and it was borrowed. Needless to say, it always nice to see an actual Haute Couture gown in a beauty pageant. Thank you Zuhair Murad and Thank you Miss Lebanon Organization.

Some of my other Best of 2015 from the Miss World 2015 Beauty Pageant included:

Miss Cote d'Ivoire Andrea N'Guessan: Love this gown on the beautiful Miss Cote d'Ivoire. The black and white sequined style was chic and sexy. I also loved the gold earrings styled with it.
Miss Fiji Brittany Hazelman: Stunning. This red column gown with gold "necklace"-like neck trim was sublime. I wish I had a photo of her back because it was FABULOUS!

Miss Gabon Reine Ngotala and Miss Georgia Nino Karalashvili: Both of these gowns were great! Love them both. Miss Gabon was Mermaid Fab ad Miss Georgia's metallic column was ready for the red carpet.
Miss Puerto Rico Keysi Vargas: I loved this strapless red lace and organza gown. It was very "Met Ball" dramatic and unique. She really was "Done" from head to toe! Muy Bien Puerto Rico.

Miss Philippines Hillarie Parungao: Hillarie's gown for the Miss World Top Model/Designer of the World Competition was gorgeous and very feminine. The pink fit-to-flare style designed by Mak Tumang featured silver sequined applique leaf-like scrolls as well as straight-line crystals on the diagonal throughout the body of the dress. So beautiful, delicate, and Pageant Perfect!

Miss International 2015----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Venezuela (and eventual Miss International 2015) Edymar Martinez wore an ivory tulle gown designed by Venezuelan pageant gown designer Hugo Espina. The gown featured an open neckline covered in nude mesh, "bell" sleeves, a satin waist tie, straight silhouette with long dramatic train. I thought it was gorgeous. It was very impacting on Edymar and showcased her Hollywood Red Carpet-looking image. If I had any complaint, it would be those bell-shaped sleeves; not sure if it was necessary to add those. But other than this, I thought this was a very intricate and almost Couture-worthy gown.

3rd Runner-up Miss Vietnam Pham Hong Thuy Van: LOVED this strapless ball gown on Miss Vietnam. It was so Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Not sure who designed and who is running the Miss Vietnam International Organization but in terms of her Styling Team, continue what you are doing! She looks like an actress on the Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet: Beautiful.

Miss Colombia Universe 2015/2016--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Choco (and eventual Miss Colombia 2015/2016) Andrea Tovar: One word--WOW! Andrea wore a golden colored tulle and sequined lace gown with a column shape and fuller back overskirt silhouette. The front featured a plunging neckline covered in skin colored illusion, as well as long sleeves. Her makeup and chic chignon, perfectly finished this look. She looked regal, and perfect! A definite TEN! One of the Best of 2015.

Miss Venezuela 2015--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Trujillo Jessica Duarte: The favorite to win this year's Miss Venezuela, Jessica Duarte wore this creation by Venezuelan designer Hugo Espina. The look was BEYOND impacting. She began with the purple taffeta coat which then she took off to reveal the blush colored pearl/caviar beaded gown with side nude illusion insets. Trust me, the impact of her taking off the coat was EVERYTHING! I liked the gown and all that pearl/caviar beading but I wasn't such a fan of the deep side "nude"/illusion insets; it didn't have to go so deep on the hip. But, to me, it was one of the best overall evening gown looks of the pageant and of 2015.

Miss Cojedes Arriany Barrios: Arriany wore this very elegant and red carpet-ready gown from designer Valentina Cedeño. The one shoulder gown featured a nude-colored gazar section and black and silver sequined detail. One of my favorites!

Miss Falcon Herliz Ruiz: I really liked Miss Falcon's light blue gown. The design featured interesting silver paillette sequin detail and it fit her very well. I also liked that she looked "modern" and didn't have the big ol' Pageant Betty hair: Gracias!

Miss Yaracuy Gessica Fiume: Jessica wore this one shoulder ivory with silver sequins creation from Venezuelan designer Hugo Espina. The gown was very impacting. But, I argue, it should have been on a different contestant--in another year--maybe a darker skinned girl with a chignon hairstyle. This gown was not for this contestant.But, it was still one of my Top Favorites.

Miss Zulia Yennifer Gonzalez: I liked this dusty pink mermaid-shaped silk zibeline gown designed by Venezuelan designer Douglas Tapia. The silhouette worked for her very statuesque figure, and the jeweled sequin work was exquisite and properly placed up top. This was one of the Top of 2015 Pageant Gown styles. I'm sure it will be knocked off by Pageant Gown "designers" ASAP, if it hasn't already.

**Of Note: ANY of these gowns above would have been better than what this year's Miss Venezuela at Miss Universe Mariana Jimenez wore to the Preliminary and Finals. Not sure why she didn't. But she should have!

Miss USA 2015--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Candice Bennatt Miss Louisiana USA: I really liked Candice's gown--it was a strapless ivory gown with silver-to-gold sequin-like applique. It was very nice. I'm not a fan of the nude/illusion panel in the front neckline bodice but I will let it go this time since it was one of the best from this year's Miss USA pageant.

Mame Adjei Miss Maryland USA: Mame was one of my TOP FAVORITE contestants at this year's Miss USA 2015. She was so exotic, so beautiful--and almost won America's Next Top Model Cycle 22 as well! She wore this black applique and see-though gown for the Miss USA 2015 Finals. I thought she looked very impacting in this style and was one of the better sheer/applique gowns from 2015. If there was a no-no, it was that the too-sheer section went a bit too high and verged on Hoochie. But, her gorgeous beauty made me overlook that.

Anea Garcia Miss Rhode Island USA 2015: Anea wore this ivory silk crepe column gown with illusion and silver Swarovski crystal studded center front panel. I thought this gown looked familiar when I first saw it, and of course, I realized why: this gown was worn at the Miss Venezuela 2014 Pageant  by Scarliz Coa "Miss Apure". The gown was designed by Valentina Cedeño. I have a very good feeling that this is the exact same gown, since Miss Apure has a very similar body type; therefore this is a borrowed sample. I really liked this gown and thought it was statuesque and very "Miss Universo". Unfortunately, Anea "Miss Rhode Island USA" had trouble walking in it (not sure why since the gown had that big ol' back godet/train! It might have been about an inch too long). But it was one of the Best Gowns of the Miss USA 2015 and therefore this year overall (even though it was originally from last year--LOL!).

Miss Lebanon 2015---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Miss Lebanon Organization keeps on surpassing all others as a Gown Gorgeous Beauty Pageant--featuring gown designs from Lebanese-born Haute Couturier (and J Lo and Sofia Vergara favorite) Zuhair Murad. He is a Judge and I assume "Creative Director" for Miss Lebanon and therefore provides very, very, VERY expensive gowns for the Miss Lebanon contestants. They may not all be runway model size zero or 5' 11" but they sure as heck will fit into them! And I'm glad they do...the gowns from this year's pageant were some of the Best of 2015, including the Top Three gals:

Top Three Zuhair Murad Gals--(L to R) Valerie Abou Chacra (winner), Jocelyne Mosleh, and Cynthia Samuel--Miss Lebanon 2015 Finals

Gowns worn by the First and Second Runner-Up--Zuhair Murad Resort 2016

Valerie Abou Chacra, the eventual Miss Lebanon 2015, wore this sheer white sequined one shoulder gown with a side front overlap/slit and double wrapped belt from Zuhair Murad Resort 2016

Cheers to a Fab 2015 Pageant Year and to all the Ladies who wore Fabulous gowns!
UP NEXT is my Worst of 2015 "Oh Dear/Ayyy Mija!" Beauty Pageant Gowns Blog...