The time has come...to come up with my BEST OF THE BEST LIST of Beauty Pageant Gowns, from the top International Beauty Pageants. This has become something of a tradition here on my BLOG and so, why stop (and my Blog Readers were asking!!)? I narrowed down my criteria to the following international beauty pageants: Miss Grand International, Miss International, Miss World, and Miss Universe, so if you think I might have missed some UBER-FABULOUS gowns from other pageants...sorry.



Let's begin with my TOP FAVORITES from...
MISS GRAND INTERNATIONAL 2019:
Miss Grand Ecuador Mara Topic--Mara looked elegant and very beautiful in this gold sequined gown. It was dramatic, figure-flattering and I especially loved the back golden cape. I also liked that the entire gown wasn't entirely sheer and that the length was perfect (no sight of those tacky platform heels!).

Miss Grand Venezuela and Miss Grand International 2019 Valentina Figueroa--Winner of the 2019 Miss Grand International crown, Venezuela's Valentina Figueroa was also my top choice for Evening Gown. Designed by Venezuelan designer Nidal Nouaihed, the gown was on trend with the slew of "nude gowns" that have been a favorite of late, for beauty pageant contestants as well as celebs on the red carpet. This particular gown featured a nude tulle illusion base with striking silver sequins throughout. The dress also had a center front slit and interesting horsehair netting shoulder detail. During the Preliminaries, she wore the gown with a back overskirt in peach iridescent organza (with crystals on it) to add drama, but it was removed for the Finals. I think this was a good move to remove it. 

Miss Grand Mexico Maria Malo--Maria wore the strapless lilac-colored sequined gown for the Finals. The column shape fit her well, making her look TEN FEET TALL, and as a Fashionista, I really appreciated the unique sleeve. Muy Bien! I am sure many pageant followers were probably not fans of that sleeve but...darlings, I am here to tell you: It's FASHION!

Miss Grand Thailand Arayha Suparurk--I absolutely LOVED Miss Grand Thailand! She had personality, realness and was ready for her close-up....every time! For her evening gown, she wore this red and blue sequined one-shoulder design from Unkuniya. The gown was super sexy, featuring the red-and-blue sequined panel with a nude leg-and-torso-exposing side, as well as iridescent organza back cape detail. Was it probably A LOT? Maybe. But I loved it. She SOLD IT like her rent was due! The only thing is...those SHOES! Next time, strappy non-platform ones.

Miss Grand Peru Camila Escribens--This Peruvian beauty, Camila Escribens, actually received the trophy for Best Gown for Miss Grand International 2019. This golden encrusted gown was certainly a stage-impacting design and well-deserved of the trophy. This was another one of those "Nude Gowns", with the gold sequin applique and silver rhinestones. It also had gold beading falling from her shoulders. With her straight dark center-parted hair, she was very "Bob Mackie Cher" in this, which means I LOVED IT! If there was any critique, I am just not a fan of the "sistahs" being so...well...on display; they were smooshed and took away from the dress design.

Miss Grand India Shivani Jadhav--In a gorgeous gown designed by Falguni Shane Peacock, Shivani certainly made a strong gown impact. This gold sequined dress fit her to perfection and featured a v-neck, sequined belt, and side front slit. It was very Red Carpet Fab! 

Miss Grand Vietnam Nguyen Ha Kieu--Miss Grand Vietnam triumphed the Evening Gown Preliminaries with wearing the only jumpsuit "gown". And I loved it! It was designed by Do Long and featured a stunning golden/nude sequined jumpsuit with hand-applied yellow feathered exaggerated sleeves. It was dramatic, stage-worthy and fashion unique! When she appeared on stage, all I could say was "You Go Girl!". And that is why she made my Best of 2019 Pageant Gown List!

MISS INTERNATIONAL 2019:
Miss Venezuela International Melissa Jimenez--Melissa didn't make the Top 8 of "Miss International 2019" but made my Best o0f the Best Pageant Gowns of 2019 List. Wearing this gorgeous red sequined gown from Venezuelan designer Douglas Tapia, she looked like Pageant Perfection. The minute I saw this gown, it was like a "Drop-the-Mic" moment. The gown featured red sequined applique on nude stiff netting, beautifully applied in an off-the-shoulder very fitted column dress design with a dramatic attached cape.  The dress was "nude", in that it was see-through but she did wear a nude leotard (like a very fancy Spanx) that covered her torso. The design was impacting, looked very Haute Couture and fit her perfectly. 

Miss Mexico International Andrea Toscano--Andrea wore this shimmering silver gown that made a very strong gown impression during the Miss International 2019 Finals in Japan. The design featured stunning silver beaded and pearl sequin applique over a netting background. It was fully covered in beads at the sweetheart necklined torso and had these dramatic bell-shaped sleeves. It fit her beautifully and I liked that it was lined as opposed to fully see-through for a change. This was my other TOP FAVORITE GOWN from Miss International 2019.

MISS WORLD 2019:
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 elongated her already long figure. At the hem, there were delicate crystal feather-like designs. This was elegant, chic and thoroughly Pageant Modern. Oh, and what a shocker: She wore the right strappy heels! Love.

Miss World Philippines Michelle Dee--In a gown designed by Filipino designer Francis Libiran, Michelle conquered my No. 2 "Miss World 2019" 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! 

MISS UNIVERSE 2019:
Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi--STUNNING. A breath of fresh gown air, after so many too-heavily-beaded cheap polyester-looking tacky neon-colored gowns at this past year's "Miss Universe" Preliminary Competition. When Zozibini came out in this white gown with matching cape, it was like a Gwyneth Paltrow-Tom Ford moment at the Oscars. She looked elegant, divine, elegant, regal-like. And to top it all off, the cape (whose outer layer is white velvet) featured a gorgeous sequined black-and-white printed Xhosa-inspired patterning motif that just about made me swoon. This was Gown Perfection, custom-designed by South Africa's Biji-La Maison de Couture. Definitely one of my TOP BEST of 2019!

Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi--The eventual winner of 2019 Miss Universe wore this shimmering gown for last night's Evening Gown Competition. This was a Gown Change from the previous gown which she wore for the Preliminaries. The design featured a gold and silver sequined pattern that ended in a "sea" of turquoise toward the hem. The bodice was nude but covered in the appropriate places with coral-like sequin design. In addition, it featured beautifully cowl-draped sequins in long strands framing the top. It was impacting, sexy and fit her perfectly. The dress was by Biji-La Maison de Couture, the same designer/brand that made her gown for the Preliminary Competition. 

Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados--This golden gown worn by Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados was one of my BEST OF 2019 PAGEANT GOWNS for sure. It was inspired by the Philippine Eagle and designed by Filipino Designer Cary Santiago. The gown featured a fabric manipulated textured design, a fit-and-flare strapless silhouette with bird-and-wing-like details at the bust, and pleated lower half, creating a dramatic bottom skirt effect. This dress stood out for uniqueness and Haute Couture-like drama.

Miss Indonesia Frederika Alexis Cull--Let's start with the dress on the left, the design worn for the Miss Universe 2019 Preliminaries: Frederika took my breath away in this one-shoulder red and black sequined gown from Indonesian designer Tex Saverio. The design was inspired by the "Spirit of the Phoenix" and fire and featured a side-front slit as well as a shoulder "fall" drape. She looked Cher-like and ready to present an Academy Award...or get one herself! 
But then, for the Finals, she changed her gown to this "Nude"-gold number: Frederika Cull wore another one of those golden/nude sequined gowns very popular with pageant and red carpet ladies. This gown was also designed by Tex Saverio, the same designer who made her Preliminaries gown. The dress is beautifully made, as it has become custom from many of these Indonesian designers, featuring heavily beaded designs, simulating diamond necklaces draped all over her sinuous body. Under this see-through sequined netting, she wore a nude-colored strapless corsetted bodysuit, like a very Haute Spanx. She looked sexy and glamorous. I was also extremely happy that she wore the RIGHT SHOES! 

Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson--This contestant was in it to WIN IT! When Madison came out SLITHERING in this gold sequined gown, she might as well have ended the Evening Gown competition right then and there. I thought the gown, which was designed by Luis Antonio, was PERFECTION! The way the gold mirrored sequins were placed on the gown, as well as the UBER SEXY column shape, reminded me of the "Good Ol' Days" of the Miss Venezuela Pageant Alta Moda evening gown shows. 

Miss Universe Colombia Gabriela Tafur--Looking sublime, gorgeous in this silver sequined gown, Miss Universe Colombia was GOWN PERFECTION. This was a simple design that did the job of having stage presence, making her look elegant and modern. I recognized the Alfredo Barraza design since the Colombian designer is known for these styles of dresses; he does them VERY WELL! Once again, in a sea of off-the-rack polyester sequined dresses, this one stood out for looking expensive, well done and on another level.

Miss Universe France Maeva Coucke--I was very impressed with Miss Universe France's gown and therefore had to place her in my BEST OF THE BEST LIST here. The white see-through gown was striking, chic and was on another level of all the other see-through sequined dresses seen on display. It was designed by Lebanese Designer Ziad Nakad and featured hand-beaded jeweled sequins, feathers, and dangling paillettes. It fit beautifully and was very Haute Couture Paris Fashion Week!

Miss Universe Croatia Mia Rkman--One of the rare black gowns at the Miss Universe 2019 Preliminaries (in a sea of pink, blue, silver, gold) was this one worn by Miss Universe Croatia. The gown featured a see-through netting base with heavy black sequined applique and multilayered tiers of organza creating a fabulously structured, dramatic shape. While her exaggerated hair bun was a bit TOO MUCHEEY, it didn't affect my gown critique. I put this gown here for it's Alexander McQueen-like gown elevated fabulousness. 

Lastly...
Miss Universe Vietnam Hoang Thuy--Speaking of SUPER SEXY and barely-there dresses...Miss Universe Vietnam gets my "This Gal Has Got Nerve!" and "THE BODY" to pull this off! In a gown by Vietnamese Designer Nguyen Cong Tri, Hoang slithered her way down the runway stage in this white chiffon design with nude tulle one-sleeved top featuring flower-like sequined appliques. This might as well have been an "Evening Swimsuit" since like 90% of her body was showing. I loved it, especially for the fact that she was OWNING that stage and had a look of "What are Y'all Looking At?" You are looking at THE BODY of this year's Miss Universe, darlings! J Lo, you might want to get in touch with this designer ASAP!

That's It! My TOP BEST BEAUTY PAGEANT GOWNS of 2019!

Last night was the Finals of the 68th Annual Miss Universe contest, held at the Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta Georgia. 90 contestants from all over the world competed and the eventual winner was the stunning Zozibini Tunzi, Miss Universe South Africa.


A front-runner and a favorite from the start, 26-year-old, Zozibini bested the 89 other contestants with her elegance, stature, and intelligent answers. Tunzi has a Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations from the Cape Pennisula Institute of Technology. Prior to winning her country's title, she was studying to get her Master's in public relations as well. She is the third woman from South Africa to win the Miss Universe title and in case you might be wondering the social media power of becoming Miss Universe...Zozibini's Instagram following jumped to 1.4 MILLION as of last night!



Now, it's time to get to the EVENING GOWNS! Let's discuss the Top Ten Semi-Finalists Gowns from the No. 1 to No. 10 favorites...Every gown was beaded so in terms of Trends, there was that, and speaking of trends: "Nude Gowns" are still as HOT as ever...

Let's begin with the Winner of Miss Universe 2019, South Africa's Zozibini Tunzi:
1. Miss Universe South Africa Zozibini Tunzi--The eventual winner of this year's Miss Universe wore this shimmering gown for last night's Evening Gown Competition. The design featured a gold and silver sequined pattern that ended in a "sea" of turquoise toward the hem. The bodice was nude but covered in the appropriate places with coral-like sequin design. In addition, it featured beautifully cowl-draped sequins in long strands framing the top. It was impacting, sexy and fit her perfectly. If there was any critique, I had a couple: The shoulder pads that I could see through the sequins, and  THOSE SHOES; they were distracting and too clunky for that type of gown. I gave it my Top Gown placement even with those bad shoes (I just pretended they were gold non-platform strappy heels).
The dress was by Biji-La Maison de Couture, the same designer/brand that made MY FAVORITE GOWN from the Preliminaries:


2. Miss Universe Colombia Gabriela Tafur--My second favorite gown of the night was this gold sequined dress worn by Miss Universe Colombia. This is the same dress she wore for the Preliminaries and was designed by Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza and I was a fan of it then. The dress was THE PERFECT EXAMPLE of a well-made sequined dress. Full Stop. Many contestants tried to wear something on this variation, lots falling a bit short of in showing elegance, red carpet fabulousness or looking rich. This right here covered all those bases, and it fit her to a T.

3. Miss Universe Thailand Fahsai Paweensuda Drouin--At first glance when Paweensuda came out, I was like "Oh No She Didn't!" and "Is that a SEQUINED LEG?!" At first, I was a bit confused with my emotions and thoughts on the gown but now, a day after, I really liked it! Designed by SURFACE Adhit Dhirakittiwat,  the dress (with one sequined leg), was very stage impacting and certainly stood out among the other nine. It was original in its design and featured gorgeous and very elaborate silver crystal beadwork framing the bodice. One could argue that it was two minutes away from being a costume--for a very High Fashion Moulin Rouge perhaps--but on the Miss Universe stage where you get just ONE CHANCE, Paweensuda went for it, and to me, it paid off.

4. Miss Universe Puerto Rico Madison Anderson--Wearing the gold gown by designer Luis Antonio, Miss Universe Puerto Rico sauntered into the Top 5, then the Top Three and eventually, became the 1st Runner-up. She looked like a movie star walking onstage to announce the Best Actor Nominees for the Oscars. I loved the mirrored sequins covering her body, the shape of the dress was perfect and the gold went great with her golden hair.

5. Miss Universe France Maeva Coucke--This was one of my favorite gowns from the Miss Universe 2019 preliminaries and I was happy to see Miss Universe France didn't change for the Finals. The ivory sequin-and-feathers dress was from Lebanese couturier Ziad Nakad and looked as exquisite and expensive as most of those Lebanese designer's gowns (from Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, etc.). I loved the placements of the sequins and feathers at the bottom half and sleeves and in addition, the nude/blush coloring was perfect for Maeva's porcelain skin color and auburn hair. She looked like an actress at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet: Tres Chic.

6. Miss Universe Indonesia Frederika Alexis Cull--Indonesia's Frederika Cull wore another one of those golden/nude sequined gowns very popular with pageant and red carpet ladies. This gown was designed by Tex Saverio, the same designer who made her Preliminaries gown. The dress is beautifully made, as it has become custom from many of these Indonesian designers, featuring heavily beaded designs, simulating diamond necklaces draped all over her sinuous body. Under this see-through sequined netting, she wore a nude-colored strapless corsetted bodysuit, like a very Haute Spanx. She looked sexy and glamorous. I was also extremely happy that she wore the RIGHT SHOES! (Take note ladies--THESE are the gold strappy heels I am always talking about).

7. Miss Universe Mexico Sofia Aragon--For the Miss Universe 2019 Finals, Sofia went red. This red sequined gown was designed by Fher Santos, the same designer who made her white preliminaries gown seen HERE. This column-shaped dress fit her to perfection with hidden inner corsetry and was completely covered in crystals. The design had a detachable red organza overskirt, which she removed as part of her catwalk. The color and shape were just right for Sofia.

8. Miss Universe Peru Kelin Rivera--Kelin is at my 8 out of 10 spot in this dress designed by Peruvian Designer Maritza Mendoza Studio. The dress featured a nude (of course!) colored satin dress with peek-a-boo see-through netting at the side, curving up to the front of her torso. The heavy crystal beading covered the entire gown in a rich scroll-like pattern. This was a perfectly nice gown that fit her well and made her look Pageant perfect on stage.

9. Miss USA Cheslie Kryst--Miss USA Cheslie Kryst also chose a gold gown for the Finals of Miss Universe 2019 (I was beginning to think they all actually got a directive TO ALL WEAR GOLD!!!). This particular dress was from Sherri Hill and featured a high side slit, nude base with gold mirrored sequins that looked like broken glass. I thought the one-shoulder dress fit her nice (showing off Cheslie's incredibly toned body) and I also loved how the "broken glass" mirrored sequins were placed throughout the dress and how they radiated from the side waist, doing a fab "cinched-in" illusion...but compared to Miss Puerto Rico this dress looked a bit "off the rack" compared to Madison's Haute Gown.