SASHES AND TIARAS.....Miss World 2019 Final! Recap, EVENING GOWNS & "Dances of the World" COSTUMES

World Gowns--Miss World 2019 contestants (L to R) Miss World India Suman Rao, Miss World Nigeria Nyekachi Douglas, Miss World Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh, Miss World Philippines Michelle Dee, and Miss World Russia Alina Sanko--Miss World 2019 Final, London UK

Toni-Ann Singh "Miss World Jamaica" is the new Miss World--Miss World 2019 Final, London UK

This Saturday was the Final of the 69th Annual Miss World competition which occurred in London at the ExCeL. 111 women from all over the world competed for the coveted title. The lovely Toni-Ann Singh, who hails from Jamaica eventually took home the glittering crown. 23-year-old Toni-Ann Singh, Miss World Jamaica 2019, was born in Montego Bay Jamaica but moved to Florida USA since age nine...

Crowning Moment--Miss World Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh as she gets crowned by her predecessor, Miss World 2018 Vanessa Ponce of Mexico--Miss World 2019 Final, London UK

Singh studied at Florida State University where she graduated in women's studies and psychology. The 5' 5 1/2" (1.67 M) tall beauty, who sang a stunning rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" during the Final telecast, and answered a Q & A session with Piers Morgan intelligently with elegance and poise, now becomes the fourth woman from Jamaica to become Miss World.

Sitting Queen--Miss World 2019 Toni-Ann Singh "Miss World Jamaica"--Miss World 2019 Final, London UK

Jamaican Beauty--Toni-Ann Singh "Miss World Jamaica", now Miss World 2019

Jamaican Madras--For her "Dances of the World" Introduction, Toni-Ann wore this traditional Jamaicas madras-plaid ensemble, consisting of an off-the-shoulder crop top with ruffled sleeves and mermaid-shaped multi-tiered skirt with ruffles. She danced her way into the judges' hearts--Miss World 2019 Final, London UK

More National Costumes from Miss World 2019 "Dances of the World":

Dances of The National Costume World--National Costumes displayed during the Miss World 2019 "Dances of the World" Introductions--(Clockwise, from top) Miss World Nicaragua Maria Teresa Cortez, Miss World Trinidad and Tobago Tya Jane Ramey, Miss World Panama Agustina Ruiz Arrechea, Miss World Venezuela Isabella Rodriguez, Miss World Philippines Michelle Dee, Miss World India Suman Rao, Miss World France Ophely Mezino, and Miss World Spain Maria del Mar Aguilera--Miss World 2019 Final, London UK 

The 3+ hour show began with the introduction of all the 111 contestants, showcasing the traditional Miss World "Dances of the World" segment, where they get to do short dances from their native lands wearing traditional costumes. Normally, this is shown in an edited version, only showing a handpicked few doing these dances...but this year, it was used as the "National Parade of Nations"-like the segment where EVERY contestant was shown in "National Costume" doing a short traditional dance. While the introductions went on for a bit too long (there were 111 contestants!), it was nice to see the costumes and ladies doing their dances.

Now, time for the EVENING GOWNS!!!
Miss World no longer has an "Evening Gown Competition" a la Miss Universe so we got to see the contestants in their evening gowns when they announced the Top 12. So, here is my RECAP/REVIEW of the Miss World 2019 Evening Gowns, featuring the Top 12 contestants. I will begin with the eventual winner, Miss World Jamaica and her gown, even though, she placed 7th on my Top 12 List:

7. Miss World Jamaica Toni-Ann Singh--Toni-Ann wore this crisp white fit-and-flare gown with silver sequin applique at the torso. The fit was perfect and she looked nice and "Pageant Angelic" in it. Nothing too crazy and in fact, it was a nice conservative well-done look. I appreciated the perfect length, the no-show-of-shoes and loved the silver applique wing-like (or are they leaves?) framing her shoulders/top of her arms. She would have been higher if the contestants from Nigeria, Philippines, India...hadn't worn such slightly more impacting gowns...
Score 8.99

1. Miss World Nigeria Nyekachi Douglas--One word: WOW! The nearly six-foot-tall beauty wore this emerald green one-shoulder sheath of a gown for the Final and well, she got MY HIGHEST Gown Score! The crepe design featured a fitted bodice with one shoulder strap and a wrap, slit-skirt that showed off her leg. It also had silver jeweled sequins that were placed correctly and elongating her already long figure. At the hem, there were delicate crystal feather-like designs. This was elegant, chic and thoroughly Pageant Modern.
Score: 9.94 (out of 10)

2. Miss World Philippines Michelle Dee--In a gown designed by Filipino designer Francis Libiran, who also created her "Dances of the World" costume--Michelle conquered my No. 2 Gown Spot. I thought she looked gorgeous in this teal colored sequined gown with a front opening, sheer illusion panels, and dramatic full sleeve drapes. It was DRAMA and not in a Diva way...more PRETTY DRAMA. Her chic slicked hair and proper silver strappy heels were STYLE PERFECTION!
Score: 9.90

3. Miss India World Suman Rao--Miss World India looked sublime and oh-so-elegant in this silver sequined gown. The fit was nice, the silver was right for her...it was very, very nice. I liked the delicate rhinestones that were falling from her shoulders as well as her hairstyling and earrings. Very Bollywood actress at Cannes.
Score: 9.50

4. Miss World France Ophely Mezino--Ophely wore this blush pink colored gown for the Final. The design featured a fit-to-flare gown with a fitted waistband and gathered tulle netting overskirt. The dress had glittering sequin-like detail and very wide horsehair hem trim. She looked DIVINE and very pretty.
Score: 9.35

5. Miss World Vietnam Luong Thuy Ling--Looking quite stunning in this aqua blue sequined gown designed by Le Thanh Hoa, Miss World Vietnam looked like a runway model attending a major awards show red carpet. I loved the design, the cut-outs the skirt side drapes....it looked spectacular on her. 

Score: 9.30

6. Miss World Russia Alina Sanko--Alina looked very Red Carpet-ready in this simple-yet-elegant blue gown with a one-shoulder side drape, sequined bustier and flared skirt. The shape and style were beautiful and non-Pageant Betty...very now, as opposed to 1990's Pageant Tackylicious. Her soft hair and no accessories made her look so on-trend evening right! I also absolutely LOVED the sequined pointy heels (with no platform, thank goodness!).
Score: 9.00

7. See Miss World Jamaica (up top)

8. Miss World Brazil Elis Miele Coelho--Elis wore a soft-pink "Princess"-style gown for the Final of Miss World 2019. The dress featured a semi-plunging neckline, tulle/netting overlay, a fitted upper torso, and a full ball-gown-like skirt. The design had a delicate sequined flower applique and was designed by Flavia Maciel. It was pretty but I have to admit, it seemed almost too "Mother-of-the-Bride/Prom" for her. I wanted a bit more red carpet fabulousness but I get that this is "Miss World" and the contestants tend to favor a more, conservative/traditional lady-like look.
Score: 8.50

9. Miss World Nepal Anushka Shrestha--Anushka wore this one-shoulder red fit-and-flare gown. While the color was impacting and nice for her, and the length was perfect...the fit was a bit too tight. I liked the sequined "print" top but that sweetheart neckline was a bit too mumsy.
Score: 8.40

10. Miss Cook Islands Tajiya Eikura Sahay--Tajiya wore this white fit-and-flare gown with crystal details and jacquard-like fabrication. The white color was impacting for her, and the silhouette was right, it just didn't scream "Fashion Forward" or made her stand out--gown-wise. But it was nice otherwise.
Score: 8.20

11. Miss World Kenya Maria Wavinya--Maria wore this red halter-style ballgown for the Miss World 2019 Final. The color was certainly impacting onstage and she was noticed. I am just not a fan of the feathered and ruffled full skirt. Unless it's done by a major Couturier, like Pierpaolo Piccoli of Valentino. This lacked regalness, finesse or runway chic-ness. She looked very "Miss World Pageant Betty", which maybe was right for this occasion, but for me, not so much.
Score: 8.10 

Lastly...

12. Miss World Mexico Ashley Alvidrez--Ashley wore this pink strapless gown. The design featured a folded side drape overskirt that started halfway from the front, a fitted column dress, and silver sequined appliques. It was a bit overwhelming for her, looked a bit like she was trying too much--gown-wise and the Prom-Pink color didn't help. Overall, it was a bit too late 90's Pageant for my taste.
Score: 8.00

CONGRATULATIONS to the new Miss World--Jamaica's Toni-Ann Singh!!!