SASHES & TIARAS.....Miss Universe 2025 Preliminaries EVENING GOWN COMPETITION - MY TOP 10

Gown Beauties: (L to R) Miss Universe Guadeloupe Ophely Mezino, Miss Universe Thailand Praveenar Singh, Miss Universe Turks and Caicos Bereniece Dickenson, Miss Universe Bahamas Malique Bowe - Miss Universe 2025 Preliminaries Competition

 

This past week, the 2025 Miss Universe Preliminaries Show and Competition took place in the run-up to the Finals of the 74th Miss Universe Pageant. The Pageant Gown market has become a MORE IS MORE field and sometimes does not tread the fine line between costume and actual dress. This was very much evident in the Miss Universe Preliminary Evening Gown show and competition. There were lots of crystals and sequins (My God, Swarovski must be making a KILLING!!!), lots of feathers, unnecessary over-the-top trains and capes, and yes, the "nude dress" is still a thing. There were some moments when we actually took a "gown breath" and paused all the "too muchey"; it was rare but appreciated. With all this in mind, here are my TOP TEN from the Preliminaries.

1. Miss Universe Thailand: Praveenar gets my top placement for the Miss Universe 2025 Preliminary Evening Gowns in wearing a gown by Thai designer GL Garlate Design. This gold gown featured thousands of encrusted sequins, a sleek and elegant column shape, and gold metallic accents. It did not have any unnecessary extras, no cape, no feathers and fluff, but enough sparkle to make an impressive statement. 9.75

2. Miss Universe Bahamas: I absolutely LOVED the sunburst yellow colored gown worn by Miss Universe Bahamas. Wearing a design by Valentino Omar, a Miami-based designer, she looked elegant and sexy, standing out amongst all the over-the-top sequined and feathered gowns that dominated the contest. Yet, it still had all the sweeping drama needed for the stage, and it fit her figure fabulously. It was like a breath of fresh GOWN air to see the elegant simplicity among all the gown madness. 9.73

3. Miss Universe Turks and Caicos: In a gown inspired by the crystal waters and beaches of the Turks and Caicos Islands, by Dominican designer Luis Dominguez, Bereniece looked elegant and fashionable. The gown featured a dramatic side-draped bow on a strapless bodice, with a fitted waist, and a side-slit long skirt. It was stylish and couture-level. 9.55

4. Miss Universe Iraq: When Hanin Al Qoreishy stepped onto the stage, in this creation, my jaw literally dropped! This was a creation worthy of being a Couture Museum Exhibition. She looked like the Empress of the Middle East... or at least like the MAIN wife of a very rich Arab Emir! The look featured a very heavily beaded golden gown fitted perfectly to her figure, and a dramatic matching cape with a small hood. It had drama, all the necessary sparkle, and really created a moment on the stage. It was a WOW for sure. 9.50

5. Miss Universe Guadeloupe: In a showstopping gown from Vietnamese designer Thuong Gia Ky, Ophely looked like a SUPERMODEL, in this red "nude"-style gown with red and silver crystals perfectly placed to accentuate her fabulous body. And then there were these "Firebird"-like details jutting out from her bodice, framing her face like she was a glorious Pageant devil. Oh, and yes, that hair was EVERYTHING! 9.48

6. Miss Universe Venezuela: Stephany Abasali looked elegant in this aqua blue sequined gown from Filipino designer Leo Almodal. The gown featured a beautiful display of ombre-shaded blues, from light to dark, and an off-the-shoulder crystal-embellished neckline. He is known for his opulent, crystal-heavy creations, and yet this one struck the right balance of sparkle and elegance, without being too over the top (like some of the others in the pageant). 9.40

7. Miss Trinidad and Tobago: Latifah looked statuesque in this all-white creation from Trinidadian designer Krystal Foster of Lauralee Boutique. I loved it for several reasons: Compared to most of the others, this was a simple, elegant design, didn't have "everything-but-the-kitchen-sink", it fit her nicely, and the white color was stunning against her skin. 9.35

8. Miss Universe Philippines: Ahtisa Manalo wore this beautiful gown from Filipino designer Mak Tumang. He described it as "a midnight-blue vision gilded in gold, moving with the quiet power of the sea that inspired her gown. Every step shimmered like a South Sea pearl coming to life on the runway." I agree! The style and fit were perfect, and I especially liked the "dripping" golden sequins that created texture and movement as she walked. 9.30

9. Miss Universe Laos: Daeng Lattana wore this gold and silver gown, which got my attention, deserving my inclusion in the Top 10 Preliminary Gowns. I loved the chain-like sequined detail, curving around her figure, reminiscent of a gown worn by Miss Universe 2006 from Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera, as well as the "angel wing"-like bust accents, which really framed her upper torso. Her hair, makeup, and earrings complemented the look well. 9.15

10. Miss Universe Japan: Wearing a black gown from Japanese designer Fumika Kato, Kaori Hashimoto looked so elegant and refined. Again, in a sea of over-the-top, costume-like sequined creations, this was a breath of fresh air...like "let's take a beat and look at what a true gown looks like". The dress featured a pleated fan-like upper torso detail framing her face beautifully, and a full skirt. She looked like she was attending the Oscars. Gorgeous. 9.00

And... here's an "Extra":

Miss Universe Chile: I wanted to add Miss Universe Chile, Inna Moll, and this pink creation from Indonesian designer Anaz. The gown featured shimmering sequins and crystals, as well as sculpted roses that, when she first walked out, appeared to be a wrap but were actually a train. Was it a lot? Yes, for sure! But with her blond hair and Barbie-like look, it worked. Among all those "Too Muchey" dresses on display, to me, this was one of the better ones.