SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2016 Evening Gowns: Designer Dress Dinner

Gown Gals: Miss World 2016 contestants at the "Designer Dress Dinner", MGM National Harbor Resort Maryland

The 66th Annual Miss World Beauty Pageant Finals is almost here!116 contestants from all over the world are competing for the coveted crown, with the finals taking place at the just-opened MGM National Harbor Resort in Maryland, just south of Washington D.C. This is the second time in the history of the pageant that it has been held in the US (last time, it was in Atlanta Georgia back in 1991.

All the contestants have been in the DC area for the last couple of weeks taking part in some of the "Challenge Events", including Sports, Talent, Top Model, etc. Some of the contestants even got to take a trip to NYC to check out a Broadway show. Unfortunately, there has not been a "National Costume Presentation" since the contestants were told to leave those back at home so sadly, there was no fabulous Flora & Fauna or Conquistador Couture for me to cover but...a couple of nights ago the Designer Dress Dinner happened in which the beauties wore their finest in "Designer Dresses"/Evening Gowns. As you know here on my Sashes And Tiaras Blog, besides National Costumes, I also love to discuss Pageant Gowns so...

Satin and Sequins: Miss World 2016 contestants at the "Designer Dress Dinner", MGM National Harbor Resort Maryland

From looking at the photos, here are some of my favorite Evening Gowns from the "Miss World Designer Dress Dinner":

Mongolia Bayartsetseg Altangerel:  This is an absolutely stunning gown worn by Miss World Mongolia! It's very regal, stylish and fabulous, all at the same time. I can just imagine all the other contestants thinking "Oh No She Didn't! Can we just go back to our rooms and call it a night!" when she came down from her room in this beautiful red jacquard silk satin one shoulder ballgown. This is a "Drop The Mic" Gown for sure!

Serbia Katarina Sulkic: From this photo, this ivory tulle and chiffon gown looks intricate, beautifully made and dramatic. I love the Grecian Goddess-like draping and details and looks very Marchesa-esque. I also think she was wise to wear her hair in this stylish back chignon/bun.

Dominican Republic Yaritza Miguelina Reyes Ramirez: One of the top favorites for the Miss World 2016 crown, Miss World Dominican Republic looked every inch a QUEEN in this sequined stunner of a gown. The golden/blush/nude gown featured many chandelier crystal embellishments, paillettes and sequins, illusion mesh panels as well as covered shoulder/epaulet details. It fit her perfectly and was the correct to-the-floor length. Muy Bien!

Venezuela Diana Croce: Another Muy Bien! is this gown worn by Miss World Venezuela Diana Croce. The bubblegum pink colored strapless ballgown featured intricately molded and pleated panels at the bustier/torso section and an oversized peplum over the flared gown/skirt. Leave it to a Venezuelan beauty queen to "Bring It!" when it comes to gowns, and this one especially is very "old school Miss Venezuela Retro" in it's Haute Couture over-the-top elegant silhouette. Many pageant fans have commented--as I also noticed--how similar the style and color was to...

The Angel Sanchez-design gown that "Miss World Venezuela" Jacqueline Aguilera wore when she won the "Miss World 1995" title

Vietnam Diue Ngoc Truong Thi: Miss World Vietnam wore this silver mermaid shaped gown at the "Miss World Designer Dress Dinner". I think this was one of the most beautiful gowns of the night! Again, the style, and intricate applique details reminded me of those UBER gorgeous Marchesa gowns. This gown here featured silver sequined applique feathers and flower petal like details. It is simply EXQUISITE and fits her to a T!

Panama Alessandra Bueno: Miss World Panama wore this gown featuring a Chrysalides-like Butterfly painted cape. Even though this could be two minutes from looking like a Cirque du Soleil costume, I still think it's quite fabulous and love the impact it has. I also love that she slicked her hair back like that; very Red Carpet Modern and chic!

Germany Selina Kriechbaum (Top photo, right, and lower photo): One word: Wow. I usually don't expect a "Miss Germany" to give me such Red Carpet Gown Fabulousness (sorry Germany!), but Selina delivered. This is a stunner of a gown featuring sequin applique in the very well-fitting gown and a sheer chiffon cape that puts a delicate exclamation point of drama. She looks like a Gown Angel in this! And if that wasn't enough, Miss World Germany also wore this:

Violet Beauty: This is another beautiful gown worn by "Miss World Germany" Selina Kriechbaum, this time a boat-neck fitted gown with sweeping train. It fit well and was quite impacting. I also have to compliment her hairstyle as well; it was modern, red carpet fab and not "Pageant Betty" pouffy.

Mexico Ana Girault (Right): In this photo, I am highlighting "Miss World Mexico" and her scarlet red gown (because Miss World Bulgaria's Galina Asenova Mihaylova, on the left, is a bit of a Garden Gown Mess!). I am intrigued by the ballgown shape, the criss-cross front top section as well as fabrication. This red gown looks expensive, elegant and impacting. I also love her hair as well  as earrings. Ana is Gown Chic!

Guadeloupe Magalie Adelson: Magalie did well in choosing this red sequined column gown. The dress fits her PERFECTLY (Check out that correct length!), the color is AMAZING for her and I also especially love that top. I am so happy when I see a contestant who is not from say, Venezuela, Philippines, Colombia, Thailand, Indonesia (the Pageant "heavies"!) wearing a chic, elegant red carpet fab gown! Tres Bien Miss World Guadeloupe!

Ireland Niamh Kennedy: Of course, Miss World Ireland would wear an emerald green colored gown. And yet, I still LOVED it! The crepe back satin gown featured long sleeves, delicate sequins at the torso, peplum waist, paneled gown/skirt and slight train with horsehair trim at the hem.  I also loved her modern chic ponytail hairstyle and not-too-over-the-top makeup. I haven't seen a Miss World Ireland look this chic in a gown in a long time! Well done Niamh.

Philippines Catriona Gray: Catriona is a beautiful contestant and a favorite for the Miss World 2016 title. She is obviously well-trained in the language of "Gowns" and did well in choosing this lilac sequined dress for the "Miss World 2016 Designer Dress Dinner". The strapless gown was designed by Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran and featured a lovely "Watteau"-like back that added a bit of drama to the otherwise very feminine and delicate design. I also have to say how much I LOVE her center parted very chic, slick hairstyle; it's runway perfect!

Romania Diana Dinu: Diana wore this black and off-white gown featuring a sequined and feather-like top section and simple crepe gown/skirt with center front slit. The gown fit nicely and looked quite "Designer Dress" Fab. I just wished that it didn't have that center front nude illusion panel at the torso but from the looks of her "sistahs", maybe I should be happy it's there.--otherwise, there might have been A LOT of tacky breast spillage.

Ghana Anthoinette Delali Kemavor: I love when contestants bring a little bit (and sometimes a lot!) of their home country into their evening gown choices. Miss World Ghana wore this fab mermaid shaped dress in bold Ghana Kente cloth patterns/prints. The gown fits perfectly, it's the correct length and best of all, looks fabulous!

Democratic Republic of Congo Andrea Moloto: Another African beauty who did "traditional" wonderfully was this beauty from the Democratic Republic of Congo. I loved the mixing of the prints in the inner part of her dramatic cape and her turban, mixed in with the simplicity of a white gown. There was no need for any extras like that unnecessary lace trim in the neckline, but when you are wearing this turban, I'll give her a Gown Pass.

Nepal Asmi Shrestha: I loved this gown/caftan worn by Miss World Nepal. The print and colors are joyous and attention-grabbing (in a good way!). I also liked her very red carpet-ready hair and styling. She looks like she should be the UN Ambassador to Nepal ready for a MAJOR black tie party!

Last but not least...

Lesotho Rethabile Anacletta Tsonane: I wanted to give a special "What Is She Wearing?" shout-out to Miss World Lesotho for this "Designer Dress" of hers. If you look closely, it's not really a dress but she is wearing PANTS! And not only is there gold sequin lace applique and nude illusion at the top, but...it looks as if there are cascades of tulle hanging down (or attached) from the sides of the pants. In any other instance, I might be asking if she had waaaay too much to drink at the bar...but here, I just want to be her BEST FRIEND!

**Stay tuned here on my BLOG for more "Miss World 2016" Gown Coverage!