People En Español had their Party for the "50 Mas Bellos" Issue at the Marquee nightclub last night in NYC. The "50 Mas Bellos" People Magazine issue is the Spanish-speaking version of the magazine's "50 Most Beautiful" and highlights some of today’s most popular names in Hispanic entertainment.  This year’s cover features 6 leading telenovela actors and one talented singer/actress, the one-and-only Lucero.
A couple of years ago, I was invited to attend this event in NYC when I had designed a ensemble for the "Chica Orbit"--the Latina Orbit Gum Girl (Orbit Gum/Wrigley's was one of the main sponsors at the time). I had a blast at the event back then:


 But back to this year's 2013 Mas Bellos:

The magazine gathered all 7 stars under one roof for a shoot at a luxurious mansion in sunny Miami Beach. The leading men gracing the cover are David Zepeda, Sebastian Rulli, Eugenio Siller, Rafael Amaya, Erick Elias and Jason Canela (above photos). Now, let's get to the red carpet of last night's event. there was some "Bueno", some OK" and yes, my favorite, some "Ayyy Mija!" (and "Mijo!"):

Pageant Fab!


First off: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hope everyone had a safe and hopefully fabulous New Year's Eve. Now, speaking of fabulous (nice segway!), I wanted to cap off my "Best Of 2012" Lists here with one of my favorite topics: Beauty Pageant Gowns. Now, I realize that there were over 100,000 pageants that occur EVERY YEAR in the US alone (!) and I'm sure there might have been some pretty ones at, say, "Miss Arkansas USA" or "Miss Hawaii America" pageants, for example. The Blog of Will Henderson, thePageantGuy.com has done a wonderful "Top 10 Pageant Gowns of 2012" recap, but I wanted to concentrate on the beauty pageants I discussed here on my blog, mainly Miss Venezuela, Miss USA, Miss World and Miss Universe. So, let's get to it:


Best Gowns of the Miss Venezuela 2012 Pageant:



Maria Grabriela Isler Mis Guarico and the new Miss Venezuela 2012--Isler wore one of the most beautiful gowns of the pageant--and of the entire year for me. It was all things Alta Moda with its clean yet sculptural silhouette, gorgeous ivory silk ziberline fabrication, cascading ruffle detail and lightly strewn details designed by Venezuelan fashion designer Gionni Straccia. It's no wonder she won the "Miss Elegance" prize as well as the top Miss Venezuela crown.


Rociree Silva, Miss Peninsula Goajira and Miss Venezuela 2012 Semifinalist-- Rociree wore this silk crepe gown designed by Hugo Espina which featured digital petal-style cut-outs and was accented with bugle beads/crystals in a blush color. The gown had a silk chiffon over-cape that was attached at the contestant's wrists and back of gown, which made her give DRAMA onstage.

Elian Herrera Miss Aragua 2012 and Miss Venezuela Internacional 2012---I LOVED her gown. It was simple and elegant--so 2012 and so red carpet. Elian is over six feet tall and this silk crepe column gown by designer Valentina Cedeño fit her flawlessly.

Hylene Baez Miss Amazonas--Hylene wore one of the best Mermaid-shaped gowns of the Miss Venezuela Pageant--and of 2012. It was designed by Venezuelan designer Hugo Espina and was strapless, with a sweetheart neckline, and had lots and lots of sequins and crystals throughout. Pageant Gorgeous.

Oriana Lucchese Miss Miranda--Oriana  wore one of my Top Pageant Gowns of 2012 in this pink silk crepe column, off-the-shoulder gown with silver sequin accents. It was designed by Pageant Gown extraordinaire Gionni Straccia. It's very "Barbie", but "Barbie Couture". If I had my editing eye, I would have removed that big overskirt; the pink column gown is a TEN on its own.


Best Gowns of the Miss USA 2012 Pageant:

Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011---Alyssa was giving up her crown at the 2012 Miss USA in June of last year and she did it in style. She wore two fabulous evening gowns, beautiful enough for me to include here in my "Best of 2012 Pageant Gowns" list. First, she wore a GORGEOUS ivory gathered Grecian Goddess gown with a sequined neckline and structured shoulders (above photo)...

Then when she made her "Farewell Walk", she wore yet another fabulous gown (above photo)--this time a blush-colored sequined number that Mermaid-flared into organza and tulle ruffles. Alyssa looked Paris Haute Couture Runway Model Chic!

Miss New York USA 2012 Johanna Sambucini--This gown on Johanna was one of my favorites of the Miss USA 2012 and of the entire year. It was a see-through nude-colored halter-neckline style gown with encrusted crystals. Incidentally, it was so pretty that Miss Tanzania Winfrida Dominic at last month's Miss Universe, wore the same style for her official "Evening Gown Portrait":


Miss Illinois USA 2012 Ashley Hooks--This high-neck halter style iridescent gold gown, with open back, degrade sequins, and dramatic full back and train, fit Ashley like a glove. A great pageant gown for sure and one of my Top Picks for 2012.

Miss Oklahoma USA 2012 Lauren Lundeen--I LOVED this gown featuring oversized jeweled and mirrored crystals over a nude-colored tank-silhouette. She looks very Miss Puerto Rico/Miss Dominican Republic/Miss Venezuela in this. If there was a negative, it's those shoes: too big, too stacked heel, too Drag Queen/Stripper. A pair of gorgeous silver strappy ones would have been perfect. Thank goodness I'm not rating the shoes, but the gowns instead!

Miss Maryland USA Nana Meriwether--Born in South Africa, six foot tall Nana tried out for Miss California USA a bunch of times and went on to Miss  Maryland USA where she finally won. Oh, and now because Miss USA Olivia Culpo just won the Miss Universe title, guess who is the new Miss USA? Yep, Miss Nana. I liked the white chiffon gown with silver leaf-like details which she wore at the Miss USA 2012 Finals. It's a great gown because of the shape, details and all the flowing fabric which adds drama as she saunters on the stage. She looked like Aphrodite at Mt. Olympus.

Miss Rhode Island USA Olivia Culpo--Olivia Palermo doppelganger Olivia Culpo, won the Miss USA title and last month, Miss Universe. I loved her raspberry chiffon Empire-style gown she wore at Miss USA 2012, it was one of the prettiest gowns of the night--and the year. She looked elegant, glamorous, red carpet-ready and yes, it had all them yards and yards of fabric for her to give stage DRAMA as she walked. Once again, I would have not  put those Lucite Stripper Platforms with such a light-as-air gown, but somehow these Pageant Girls are drawn to those tacky things like moths to a flame! WHYYYYY????

 Best Gowns of Miss World 2012 Pageant:

Ivian Sarcos Miss World 2011 from Venezuela--Ivian wore this UBER fitted mermaid sequined lace applique embroidered ivory gown designed by Venezuelan designer Hugo Espina to give up her Miss World 2011 crown at the Miss World 2012 Finals in China. She looked SUPERHUMAN and taller than anyone within 100 feet of her. This is certainly one of the most impressive Pageant Gowns of 2012.

Miss Mexico Mariana Berumen-- Miss Mexico's gown was very Sofia Vergara Va-Va Voom WOW! She really looked perfect from head to toe in this red strapless mermaid-shaped sequin-and-tulle gown. One of the best, if not the best of the Miss World 2012 Finals.

Miss Australia Jennifer Kahawaty-- The lovely and very exotic Jennifer wore this purple Grecian Goddess gown at the Miss World 2012 Finals.  The gown was created by Melbourne Australia fashion house Belluccio and it featured intricate embroidery woven into the bust and high-hips, cinched waist and gathered chiffon full skirt, as well as a "hidden" slit.

Miss Venezuela Gabriella Ferrari--Miss Venezuela did not make it as a Semifinalist at last year's Miss World but the gown she wore was still one of my favorites of the year. It was an ivory and gold gown with a completely sequined torso that then "exploded" into a feathered mermaid bottom. It was designed by Miss Venezuela Pageant Designer King, Gionni Straccia.

Miss Ireland Rebecca Maguire--This red with silver sequin applique plunging neckline fitted gown on Miss Ireland was one of my Top Faves from this Miss World 2012 "World Fashion Designer Award" Competition. This is a perfect example of a gown that can work for an international beauty pageant as well as a major awards red carpet. It fits perfectly and has "hints" of sari fabrication.

Miss Israel Shani Hazan-- Shani looks STUNNING in this ivory with silver crystal detail gown that hugs her EVERY curve perfectly. It's simple, elegant and yet, still has enough "Pageant Punch". This gown is a fantastic example of the fit-to-flare shape--or "Mermaid-Lite" as I like to call it.

Miss Sri Lanka Sumudu Prasadini: This was one of my favorite gowns from the Miss World 2012 "World Fashion Designer Award" Competition and therefore it had to make my "Best Of 2012" list here. This ivory gown had elements of Grecian Goddess and Sari Princess with its draped one shoulder effect. It was dramatic and elegant.

Best Gowns of the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant:
Miss Croatia Elizabeta Burg: I LOVE this gown. It is SO red carpet award show appropriate FAB, so "Classic Modern", so elegant but sexy (look at that back) and there was NO HOOCHIE SLIT, no obvious Stripper Platform Heels....it was a lesson in How To Dress For a Beauty Pageant 2012. Perfection.

Miss Puerto Rico Bodine Koehler: I thought this blush/light pink fit-to-flare gown was beautiful. The heavy-to-light beading is delicate and not so "Pageant In-Your-Face", the shape is great and I especially like the Couture-like touches such as the 8" horsehair that stiffens the hem.

Miss Lebanon Rina Chibany: Rina wore an emerald green gown featuring a plunging neckline, a dropped shoulder, fitted waist and gorgeous paillettes for the Miss Universe 2012 Preliminaries and it was one of my favorites of the pageant and the year for sure. Of course, I recognized this gown right away: It was a gown from the Elie Saab Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection. Flawless.

Miss Australia Renae Ayris--I loved this gown! It featured a strapless, bustier top section, fitted gown with a tulle bottom section made super full by many godets (triangle sections/insets of fabric). I also thought the silver beading was exquisite. This is one of the BEST of 2012 and should be made in EVERY color!

Miss France Marie Payet-- This creme colored beaded gown was beautiful., elegant, well-made and hit all the right red carpet/pageant notes. One of the best in the Top Ten Evening Gowns at the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant--and the entire year.

Miss Kosovo Diana Avdiu: Calling Grecian Goddess...via Miss Universe Kosovo. If I had to style a movie based on Athena or Aphrodite, this would be the gown I would put my actress in. Best in an Ivory-colored Gown. Hands down! And, if I'm not mistaken, this is a "stepped up" version of the gown Nana Meriwether wore at the Miss USA 2012 Finals.

Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus: Gabriela wore one of my favorite gowns at the Miss Universe 2012 Finals. It was a strapless and very fitted golden sequined and chiffon gown with a center front slit. It looked expensive and she looked like the girlfriend, wife--or mistress--of a very rich Dubai Sheikh. In other words: Loved It!

Miss South Africa Melinda Bam: This golden paillette one shoulder gown with chiffon "fall" was beautiful. Melinda looked like an A-List actress walking down the Cannes Film Festival red carpet in this.

Miss Venezuela Irene Esser: Irene wore this emerald green silk satin gown with crystal detailing for the Finals of Miss Universe last month. Her gown was designed by Gionni Straccia of course. I loved the color, the delicate yet very expensive looking Swarovski crystal detail. The gown celebrated the Christmas season and was still giving "Pageant COUTURE". This style will be knocked off (in polyester with plastic sequins unfortunately) by mass-market pageant dress companies TOMORROW!

Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon: Finally, I will end my "Best Pageant Gowns of 2012" with this great gown that Miss Philippines wore at the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant. Janine-who ended up as First Runner-Up-- wore this aqua blue iridescent organza strapless gown. She looked like a "Pageant Angel" in this. It featured a strapless folded top section with intricate crystal beading detail and a fan-pleated full skirt. Oh and did I mention that she WORKED it OVERTIME on stage?! The way she walked, did her "Cobra" head moves and then finished it with her arm across the waist pose: Drag Queens across the World will be copying it! It was MAGICAL. She should have won. Just from that alone.

Once again, Happy New Year and Here's to a Gloriously Bedazzled, No Hoochie Slits, No Lucite Stripper heeled, Red Carpet Fab...Pageant Gown 2013!!!

Miss Universe 2012 The Finals Recap: The Gowns, The Hairspray and Miss Venezuela's "Miss South Carolina Teen USA Moment"...


This past Wednesday night, at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Theater Las Vegas, a new Miss Universe was crowned. Miss USA 20-year old Boston University sophomore Olivia Culpo (I have a feeling she isn't going back to finish her studies...for now!) beat out 88 other beautiful women and won the most coveted International Beauty Pageant title.


As you know, I love to cover beauty pageants--especially all the international ones--here on my blog concentrating on my "Gowns Recap & Reviews", naturally. My point--as a Fashion Designer and Pageant Lover--is to also try to inject a bit of Hollywood's Red Carpet vibe in terms of my critiques and suggestions into the typical "Pageant Betty Gown" world. I wish there was more of the former than the latter, especially since it's the "Hollywood Industry" who eventually ends up being the "final judges", as opposed to "Pageant World" people.

I was excited to talk about this year's Miss Universe Pageant, because I was actually attending! Yes, kids, I flew to Las Vegas--and bought tickets for myself and my NIKOLAKI design-and-business partner David Paul--to see the pageant! I 'll have a Recap of my time in Vegas in another post here--with lots of photos. Olivia's win makes it the eighth time in the pageant's history (the pageant was founded in 1952)--the most of any nation. Venezuela comes in second with six wins in the pageant's history.



Olivia Culpo also broke a 15-year streak of Miss USA not winning a Miss Universe title. Miss USA had not won a Miss Universe title since the gorgeous Brook Lee--originally from Hawaii--had won the title and was crowned Miss Universe 1997. Brook is a friend--and a NIKOLAKI muse--so to me, she will always be the eternal Miss Universe from the Good Ol' USA!

Now...let's discuss this year's Miss Universe 2012 Finals, the winner, the finalists, and yes, THEIR EVENING GOWNS:


As I said, I went to the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant in Las Vegas. So I saw it all LIVE, from the theater. The pageant began at 5pm PST and ended at 7pm. It was an "interesting" show, to say the least, beginning with Donald Trump as Santa and the 89 contestants onstage introducing themselves. There were slight audio hiccups where several of those first countries' announcements were missed and silence (someone must have been fired for that). I felt bad for those girls since this was "their moment", as they say. 



Then, the top 16 Semi Finalists were announced--15 were picked by a separate panel of Preliminary Judges plus the "Miss Universe Organization" had their "two cents" of who should be there--and one by the fans. There were lots of surprises as to who made the Semi Finalist list (Poland, Hungary) and the omissions (Puerto Rico, Bahamas).


But lots of the Pageant Fan Favorites were there, including Venezuela, South Africa, Philippines, Brazil, Australia, USA. The swimsuit portion followed with those 16 ladies, then they were cut to ten. Evening gowns came next and then, the Top Five and finally the announcements of the Fourth, Third, Second, First Runner Ups and the Winner. In two hours, it was all done!

Right before the Final Question for the Top Five, the ladies got a Hair Spray "boost". Miss Venezuela Irene Esser (above photos) got most of the aerosol. This happened during one of the commercials breaks and I noticed--from my seat--that they were spraying maybe a little too much on those girls' hair; all one could see was just a bunch of hair spray fog!

Before I get started on my "Nick Evening Gown Recap", here were the three "special" Miss Universe winners:




The Top Ten Evening Gowns--From Least Favorite to Best:
Miss USA Olivia Culpo: First, let me begin by saying that Olivia (and I think I have said this before) was already TWO MINUTES away from being an E! Entertainment reporter--she has the PERFECT FACE, smile and "air". She definitely has that "It" factor when it comes to being on TV. I also think she could be the lovechild of actress Emmanuelle Chriqui and Maria Menounos. In other words, she was MADE for TV. Congratulations to Olivia for winning the Miss Universe title. Her gown was, unfortunately, not my favorite. It was a full ball gown in red silk velvet with silk tulle and white under-crinoline petticoat. It featured a very plunging neckline and "glove-length" sleeves...

It was from Lebanese fashion designer's Georges Hobeika Fall 2012 Couture Collection (above photo). This gown--if ordered--would probably set you back approximately $75,000 so I wonder if it was actually bought or borrowed (like the Hollywood actresses do). I LOVE the gown on the model but I just don't think it was right on Olivia. I think it has something to do with the PLUNGING NECKLINE factor.


Plunging necklines work with flat-chested ladies. Not, with boobies such as Olivia's. During the LIVE telecast, one could see the bra/under-structure she was wearing (which is a BIG no-no). I remember turning to my seat mate (David) and saying "Oh Dear!". Seriously. But, in the end, it didn't matter, since she won the crown. Fashion Schmashion. A not-so-good gown can equal a Miss Universe crown, I guess.

Miss Hungary Agnes Konkoly: Agnes is very pretty but her strapless white satin and chiffon drop-waist gown with diamante trim is not. It is so off-the-rack. Bless her heart. Some of these girls (Hello Miss Venezuela and Miss USA) get custom gowns that could cost as much as a Mercedes-Benz! And yet, here is Miss Hungary in a gown fresh off the Pageant-and-Prom store. It was tacky and Pageant-typical. But yes, Agnes is pretty stunning and I bet that's why she was there. On another good note--the nude heels are good since as we all know, they extend the leg and do not draw the focus to the feet.

Miss Mexico Karina Gonzalez: Hot-short red sequins with crepe-chiffon over-skirt; a Bodysuit Evening Gown. No. No. And No. This is perfect if she is the Ringleader of a Hot & Sexy Circus. But NOT for Miss Universe. Whoever is making these gowns is really trying to make this a "pageant gown" trend...and I want to end this trend RIGHT NOW! It doesn't make any sense. In my Preliminary Gown Post, I thought this was good, but, I have now come to my (better) Fashion Senses after seeing it LIVE and in-person on stage.

Miss Russia Elizabeth Golovanova: Oh yes, look what we have here: yet another Bodysuit Evening Gown. I love the royal blue color and the beading looks delicately elegant. But, once again--what is up with this "Bodysuit Evening Gown" style? Not a fan. And I guess that it wasn't a judges' favorite either (she didn't make it to the Top Five).

Miss France Marie Payet: Now it is time for the pretty gowns...Let's begin with Miss Universe France.  This creme colored beaded gown was beautiful., elegant, well-made and hit all the right red carpet/pageant notes: there was NO HOOCHIE slit, it fit perfectly, it wasn't too short or too long and it looked regal. One of the best in the Top Ten Evening Gowns.

Miss Australia Renae Ayris: Loved this gown! It was a strapless, bustier top section, fitted gown with a tulle godet bottom section. The silver sequins were fabulous and the fit was perfect. Her loose-flowing hairstyle and "natural" makeup were perfect with the gown. She was one of my Top Three Faves. For sure.

Miss South Africa Melinda Bam: Melinda was THE favorite to win. EVERYONE and their Pageant dog--had her as the winner. But, alas, it didn't happen. Nevertheless, she looked AMAZING in both the Swimsuit and Evening Gown portions of the Miss Universe 2012 Pageant. I just think that maybe--just maybe--she looked a little too "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" with her perfect blond hair, face, figure...even though one of the final judges was an actual "Real Housewife of Beverly Hills"(Lisa Vanderpump). This golden paillette one shoulder gown with chiffon "fall" was beautiful. If it was me, I would have removed the chiffon "fall"; I didn't think it was necessary--the gown itself gives DRAMA with a capital "D" with the cut and all those gold sequins.

Miss Brazil Gabriela Markus: One of my favorite gowns of the night was worn by Miss Universe Brazil. She wore a strapless and very fitted golden sequined and chiffon gown with a center front slit. She looked as if she was missing a big ol' crown. This could have gone "Pageant Betty" in a hot minute. But, there was something about how expensive it looked, her styling, the way she carried herself...it all added up to one of the best! I reminds a little bit of the golden gowns from...


Miss Philippines Janine Tugonon: Janine, the First Runner Up to Miss Universe 2012, wore an aqua blue iridescent organza strapless gown. She looked like a "Pageant Angel" in this. It featured a strapless folded top section with intricate crystal beading detail and a fan-pleated full skirt. This gown on someone else, with it's iridescent and sheer fabric, could have been a Pageant disaster; but for Janine I have just three words: She WORKED it! Overtime. The way she walked and then did her "Cobra" head moves and then finished it with her arm across the waist pose. Drag Queens across the World will be copying it! It was MAGICAL. She should have won. Just from that alone.

Miss Venezuela Irene Esser: Irene Esser wore an emerald green silk satin gown with crystal detailing for the Finals. This was a different gown from what she wore to the Preliminaries. Her gown was designed by Venezuelan Pageant Gown designer Gionni Straccia. I loved the color, the delicate yet very expensive looking Swarovski crystal detail. The gown celebrated the Christmas season and was still giving "Pageant COUTURE"! If there was any critique, I felt that it was a teeny-bit too short. But besides this, it was my favorite evening gown of the Top Ten in this year's Miss Universe 2012 Pageant.


Finally...speaking of Miss Venezuela and Irene Esser--she was--one of the favorites to win. Unfortunately she made a fatal mistake during the Final Interview Question-and-Answer portion. It became her "Miss South Carolina Teen USA Caitlin Upton" Moment...Judge Diego Boneta asked :  
"If you could make a new law, what would it be? And explain why."
Irene, Miss Venezuela, answered:
"I think that any leys [Spanish for "laws"] there are in Constitution or in life, are already made. I think that we should have ... uh ... a straight way to go ... in our similar, or, eh, in ... in our life has it this. For example, I am a surfer and I think that the ... the best wave that I can take is the wave that I wait for it. So ... please ... do our only ... eh ... law, that we can do. Thank you, Vegas."

I think we all get what the beautiful Irene was trying to say there...OK, maybe not...but she sure looked pretty saying it. My post-Miss Universe advice: she should have answered in Spanish. But I fear that her pageant handlers had pressured her to do it in English (bad advice...obviously)...

Click Below to watch the head-scratching Miss Venezuela Final Question-and-Answer Moment:

***Next Up: My "Las Vegas/Miss Universe 2012" Photo Album Blog Recap!