The "Middle Girls"...Not Fab, Not Bad, just "In the Middle"
This past weekend--as we know--was the "Miss Venezuela 2011" Pageant. The winner was the gorgeous Irene Esser (above), who represented the State of Sucre and wore a very nice silver metallic gown with shoulder-and-torso covering paillettes. Everyone agreed she looked perfect. In my last post, I gave my "Top 5 Plus Honorable Mentions" for my favorites of the evening gowns. I have to say that for this year's edition, there were A LOT of great gowns. There really weren't any big gown "missteps" or "Ayyy Dios Mio!" (I kind of wish there were!, but kudos to the designers). If this was a Project Runway Challenge, there would be no "OUT", but just "These ended up in the MIDDLE" for reasons like too-high of a slit or wrong dress on the wrong girl. So...here are my "Middle Gown Bellezas" Awards. The HOOCHIE Award goes to: Miss Apure Jeserly Gutierrez: Jerserly's gown, designed by Venezuelan designer Valentina Cedeño, was a simple white silk crepe halter gown, which at first glance: I liked. It looked modern and not encumbered by all the usual "tricks and bells" Miss Venezuela gowns have been known for. But then she began to walk and OOOPS: THAT Slit! If anyone was seated slightly below the stage, they might have seen her Britney. Gracias a Dios the judges were in seats way above the stage so they didn't get to see any of that. And not only did she have that WAY too-high slit, but someone felt that she also need a way-too-low neckline as well. It's either one or the other, but both?
The Mother-of-the-Bride Award Goes To:
Miss Falcon Haydee Castillo: This gown, created by Venezuelan designer Luis Perdomo, was probably the biggest miss of the night--if one had to pick. It was a halter-style silk charmeuse dress featuring laser-cut petals in the skirt section. The halter section fit was odd and the overall style lacked youth and modernity. It was better suited for a Mother-of-the-Bride, not a young gorgeous beauty pageant contestant. It was just a little bit off. Real Housewives of Orange County Award Goes To:
Miss Distrito Capital Gabrila Ferrari: Gabriella almost won the Miss Venezuela title. She came in second and won the Miss Venezuela World crown. Her gown--designed by go-to-pageant designer Gionni Straccia--was a show-stopper for sure, with its all-over sequins. But somehow, she looked like one of the "Real Housewives of Orange County" dressed up for the night. I don't think it was the gown's fault but more the fault of how she was "showing it".
Gabriela kept putting her leg out to show the audience and judges how high that slit was and it cheapened the dress. I bet if this was on a dark-haired exotic girl (with a slick-back chignon), it would have looked TOTALLY different. Plus those Pink sequined pumps were a NO! The Come-Hither Award Goes To:
Miss Monagas Rossana Medina: When Rossana walked on stage during the evening gown portion and the show's host announced that "her gown was designed by Angel Sanchez..." It promptly got my attention. I LOVE Angel Sanchez' dresses and admire his work and how he transformed the Miss Venezuela gowns in the late 90's/early 2000's into more refined elegant red carpet visions. I was surprised by this gown because it wasn't one of his architectural silk gazar stunners. I did, however, like the column one-shoulder style and the sublime white silk crepe fabrication.
It had asymmetrical silver crystal inset beading and yes, it also had a very revealing side slit. I think it was again, the way the contestant was showing the dress which cheapened it.
There was no elegance to it. She kept turning to show her derriere and at the same time, gave come-hither "I will take your man away" looks. No. No. And No. Not in an Angel Sanchez gown huney! The Bad Bust Fit Award Goes To:
Miss Bolivar Fanny Ottati (what a fun name!): Fanny has some big SISTAHS, so she decides (or maybe the pageant organizers incorrectly decided) to wear a strapless gown. Strapless, kids, work best on girls with little boobies, thank you very much. Otherwise, it looks wrong. And guess what happened here? Si, WRONG! The white sequin-and-beaded gown, designed by Manuel Gonzalez wasn't bad, it was just the bad boobie fit. Notice how the cups stand out leaving all this empty space. Also, it's too "pushed up", totally cutting her torso and making her look as if her breasts are almost touching her chin! Ayyy pobrecita. Too Covered Up Award Goes To:
I thought it was a VERY impacting gown but not sure it was right for the 5'7" Osmariel. It was open in the back but I felt maybe it was (dare I say it!) too covered up in the front--the high neck, the long sleeves. I think the biggest problem was not the gown but the hairstyle. If she had worn it up, in a beautiful chignon or even a slicked back ponytail I would have appreciated the beauty of the gown much more. So, there you go. No real "Bad Miss Venezuela 2011 Gowns" just mistakes made by the contestants, the stylists or a too-high slit here and there. Overall: A Good Gown Show for Pageant Fans and Venezuelan Fashion Designers. Can't wait to see what each of the top girls ends up wearing for the BIG pageants, Miss Universe, Miss World, and so on!

Which One Of The Girls Below Made My "Top Gowns" List" (Hint: Only TWO!!)...
This past Saturday was the 59th Annual "Miss Venezuela" pageant, arguably--next to Miss Universe and Miss World--the MOST IMPORTANT Beauty Pageant in the WOOOOORLD!! Why? Well, just because of the fact that Venezuela has won so many international beauty pageant titles, as well as the fact that "pageant watchers" always look to who wins the Miss Venezuela as a barometer of "She's the One To Beat!" when it comes to going on to international pageants--think Superbowl or the World Cup.
A lot of people also watch the pageant for its evening gowns. I have....since I was a little boy. So, now that I am a big boy...it's time to RATE the "Miss Venezuela 2011 Evening Gowns". Now, let me begin with the fact that I was very happily surprised that besides the entire telecast--the gowns (overall) were "toned down" --well, for Miss Venezuela standards. Lately, they have been looking cheap, over-the-top Drag-Queen-y and rather out-of-touch with the 21st Century and what one sees on the actual Red Carpet. But this year, either the Cisneros Group cracked down on the "Gown Budget" or someone closely involved with the evening gown selection has been looking at my past "Miss" evening gown blogs. Before I give you my "Mejor (Best) of the Bunch". Saturday night's pageant actually gave Prizes for "Best 'Miss Venezuela 2011' Venezuelan Designers/Best Gowns". Three of them. The Top Prizes went to:
Here's a big shocker: I did not agree with these Top 3. I know, the next time I visit the country I was raised in, I might risk having Arepas being thrown at me. Now, I thought those three were "OK" but here are my Top Picks for Best Gowns of "Miss Venezuela 2011"...if I was giving out those prizes:
Number 1--Miss Guarico Blanca Aljibes: Her off-white silk crepe gown was designed by Venezuelan Gionni Straccia and she gets my Nick V. TOP Choice for Best Gown. The minute she walked onstage, I was like "OK, Get it GIRL!". It was simple, elegant, no "Pageant Betty" HOOCHIE SLIT up to you-know-where. I also loved the structured shoulder/front torso panels. Loved the sequined waist trim as well. I admit, I am not so much a fan of the "covered-but-not-covered" nude/illusion neckline panel and yes, we can still see THE SISTAHS/cleavage (good job Official Miss Venezuela Plastic Surgeon, by the way!) But...other than this: A very chic, modern gown. Score: 9.9
Number 2--Miss Merida Yasmeira Gutierrez: Sunning! It was a strapless silver-and-gold sequined silk organza gown from Venezuelan designer Gionni Straccia (yes, once again of course!). In case you haven't been keeping up with the latest Spring 2012 Collections from NY, Milan and Paris, it is ALL about all over sequined gowns. But done right. And Straccia did it right: it's still modern, fresh and wow, so NOT pageant-y (Gracias for not adding the too-high slit). This gown could work at the Oscars, Emmys, Cannes. Or Miss Universe. Score: 9.8
Number 3--Miss Nueva Esparta Maria Quinones: Guess who designed this gown--my Third Choice for "Best Miss Venezuela 2011" gown? Yep, Gionni Straccia, again. He's on a roll. At least with me. I really liked this gown. First, it was very modern and directional--for "Miss Venezuela" standards. And it fits her very well... It featured red laser-cut applique', shoulder cap sleeve detail and had a very Alexander McQueen and/or Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy-look to it. Again, I am not a fan of the illusion-covered front section (how about making it not so plunging and not adding that?) and I felt like it could have been longer and more dramatic at the bottom. But, overall, it was a FAB gown! Score: 9.7 Number 4--Miss Sucre Irene Esser: Yes, the new Miss Venezuela made my list. Gionni Straccia also designed her gown, and won a trophy for it. It was a metallic gown with degrade' sequin embellishments, long sleeves and a see-through plunging neckline. It was a very impacting gown, but not my Top Favorite. I loved how the hand-applied crystals and paillettes were placed--especially on the neckline and shoulders. I just had a BIG problem with Irene's over-arching-her-back posing. Score: 9.5
Number 5--Miss Tachira Milagro Manrique: Douglas Tapia designed this stunning deep red silk ziberline mermaid-shaped gown. It was PERFECTION. The twisted pleated at the bust was great, the one-shoulder crystal strap, the fit: well done. Of course, I also love it because it actually reminds me of... One of my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Gowns (above)--in the same fabrication but different color. Honorable Mentions for Best Gowns:
Miss Vargas Sara Coello: Venezuelan Pageant go-to guy Gionni Straccia designed this violet-colored strapless gown for Sara. It featured laser-cut metalized leather applique' at the torso down to the thigh area and then flared out. I thought it was futuristic, very sleek , Milan runway-ready, and a departure from those "Gay Pride Float" gowns we were used to seeing in the past Miss Venezuela pageants. I also liked it because...
Miss Miranda Mariel Zamora: Mariel wore one of my favorite gowns of the night and therefore I had to give her an "Honorable Mention" here. The turquoise silk ziberline gown featured a one-shoulder strap detail, side exaggerated cascade drapes and sequin crystals throughout.
It was created by the Barcelona Spain-based Pro Novias and it was part of its Haute Couture line. Yes, it was a bit "over-the-top" but at the same time, it had the perfect amount of DRAMA and Alta Moda touch to it, that it brought back some of the nostalgia of the "Miss Venezuela" 1980's Evening Gown heyday.
Miss Barinas Astrid Lozada: Gionni Straccia also designed this baby-blue silk chiffon one-shoulder gown. It was sexy and "Beauty Pageant" perfect enough for me to give it an "Honorable Mention". It had a ruched/gathered torso, gathered flowing skirt and was accented with oversized silver sequined trim detail. It had a high side slit but somehow (because of the fullness of the skirt) managed not to look like she was trying to, well, get PREGNANT!
This gown above is a quintessential Gionni Straccia-type gown which EVERY Pageant Girl--worth her Sash wants, and many Pageant-and-Prom "Knock-Off" companies are copying. And this is why it deserved, a "Nick V. Honorable Mention" in the "Best of the Miss Venezuela 2011" Category. And now, to my REAL Best Dressed of "Miss Venezuela 2011": Leonardo Villalobos (above and below) co-host of the Miss Venezuela 2011 Pageant. Venezuelan TV presenter/host for Venevision, Leonardo Villalobos looked absolutely DASHING on Saturday night's telecast. His tuxedo was sleek; the roll of his shawl collar--and how it always invisibly blended into the line of the shoulder of this jacket--was so beautiful. That. My Kids. Is. Perfect Tailoring.
I have no idea who designed and created his tuxedo but...KUDOS. Seriously, Leonardo was better dressed than some of the Misses in contention. Just sayin. Dios Mio! OK, now that I am done with my "Miss Venezuela 2011" Best Gowns...next up: The "Ayyy Mija" (Oh Dear! What Were You Thinking?)...Here's a Peek:

The New Miss Venezuela Is...
Saturday night, the new Miss Venezuela was crowned. And just like I predicted HERE, it was "Miss Sucre" Irene Esser. She was the favorite to win the crown MONTHS ago. So, it didn't come to anyone's surprise that she won. The winner was known AGES ago--by the press, by the pageant officials, well, even me!. That's not to say that she didn't deserve to win. Irene Esser was, arguably, the most polished, the prettiest, and well-round contestant--to represent the South American nation next year at the Miss Universe Pageant.
Las Dos: The newly-crowned Miss Venezuela Irene Esser (left) with her First Runner Up Miss Venezuela World , Grabriela Ferrari, Miss Distrito Capital--again just like I said in my BLOG. She will now prepare for over a year to be the representative in the Miss World 2012 Pageant.
Stay tuned for an upcoming REVIEW of the Miss Venezuela 2011 Pageant Evening Gowns--I promise, it will be a DOOZY! Here's a HINT: I DID NOT agree with the "official" Best Evening Gowns! (and PS: WHY oh WHY...did they wear those very unflattering swimsuit bottoms??? It made EVERY contestants' hips looks as if they were MUY GRANDE!!! Not good....) But for now...Here are videos of the Pageant: Top 10:
Top 5:
Crowning of Miss Venezuela:

Who. Will. Be. Venezuela's. Next. Top...Beauty Queen?
This upcoming Saturday night, October 15th will be the LIVE Finale Telecast of the 59th Annual Miss Venezuela Beauty Pageant. Up until 2009, the pageant-known for its FANTABULOUS excess and over-the-top production numbers, had been held at the huge Poliedro, an indoor sports arena that can hold up to 13,000 people. But this year it will be held at Estudio 1 in the Venevisión Caracas Studios. Since, 1981, The pageant has been owned by the Cisneros Group with multi-billionaire Gustavo Cisneros as its president. The charismatic Osmel Sousa has been the pageant's director since 1979, and has become known as the "Beauty Pageant Guru" and "Creator of Beautiful Women". Under Sousa's iron-hand/direction, it has accumulated more international beauty pageant titles than any other country in the world: six Miss Universe winners, five Miss World winners, six Miss International winners and one Miss Earth, among many many others. On a personal note, my sister, Rita was a Miss Venezuela contestant back in 1988, representing "Municipio Vargas". Sousa sent her to Ecuador where she also became the "Vireina del Banano" and did quite well representing Venezuela internationally.
On the Final Live Telecast night, there are "official judges"--usually comprised of celebs, actors, former Misses, as well as top Caracas "society" Doyennes. It is pretty widely rumored, however, among pageant circles, that the Miss Venezuela Organization already "pre-picks" who the Top Winners are--meaning the ones who go on to Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International--MONTHS ahead of the final pageant. It makes sense. They know who really is prepared to take the crown since they have been with them for well--a year of training...
Sometimes, however, there are "surprises", like when Alicia Machado won Miss Venezuela 1995. Beauty Pageant "chisme" has it that she wasn't supposed to win but rather another contestant. But the night of the pageant, she won the crowd--and the Miss Venezuela title-- with her natural charisma and non "Pageant Betty" personality. Machado went on to win the Miss Universe 1996 title in Las Vegas and, bring Donald Trump lots of press with her love of chocolate chip cookies and weight gain. But now, back to this year's contest...
The Favorite and Most-Likely To Win: Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, Miss Sucre. She's only 19 (a baby!) in pageant years, and stands 178 cm (5' 10"). Irene is the clear favorite for the title of Miss Venezuela 2011 to then go on and represent the South American nation in next year's Miss Universe pageant. Interestingly enough, she's the ONLY ONE with a Wikipedia page (are pageant organizers already preparing for her win?).
Irene (pronounced Eee-rainay in Español) is a gorgeous brunette with brown eyes, a great body and an "international" non-Latina surname. I guarantee that she'll have a very nice gown by one of the top Venezuelan designers the night of the final competition. We will see Saturday night. Second Favorita: Gabriela Ferrari Peirano, Miss Distrito Capital (The Capital City, Caracas) 20 years old and stands 176 cm (about 5' 9"). Dark blond hair and brown eyes. And yes, she's part Italian, darlings. She has that quintessential "Miss Venezuela" look to her. Lots of blond beauties have won internationally for Venezuela (Irene Saez, Miss Universe 1981, Pilin Leon Miss World 1981, etc.). the chisme is that she'll get the First Runner Up or Miss World Venezuela title, and go on to represent her country in the Miss World 2012 Pageant--which occurs in OVER a YEAR from now (lots of time to prepare!). More Favorites: Miss Yaracuy Osmariel Maholi Villalobos Atencio. Osmariel is a model from Maracaibo (not in the State she is representing) and stands 5' 7". Short for "Miss Venezuela" standards... But she makes up for it in her rather stunning natural beauty, as seen from her model photos above. I like her sooooo much better in these photos as opposed to the "Official Miss Venezuela" one. Another Blond: Yes, kids, there are plenty more blonds that might make the Finalista cut on Saturday. According to some of my Missosologist (pageant expert) friends, Miss Carabobo, Isabela Ramos Cano, 21 is a favorite for the Top 5. Not the Winner, not the First Runner Up, but maybe for Miss International, Miss Earth, etc. She's tall--almost 6 feet (5' 11"). She has an AMAZING "Victoria's Secret" Swimsuit Model body (a year of training baby!). And oh, she's gorgeous! We Need Some Color: Finally, we have Ivany Nayexy Guzmán Herrera, Miss Delta Amacuro. She's another favorite but again, not to take home the Top Crown but one of the "We'll send her abroad to represent Venezuela in some other international pageant". Ivany is ethnic (LOVE that!) and has that mestiza/bi-racial look to her, that is actually very indicative and representative of the fabulous Euro-Black-Indian mix of a lot of the Venezuelan population. She's 22, from Caracas and stands 5' 10". We'll see who will be the next Miss Venezuela! Stay tuned here on my BLOG because you KNOW I'll be doing my "What Was She Wearing?" Gown Recap!!!!