SASHES AND TIARAS.....2018 Puteri Indonesia Miss Universe Indonesia CROWNED + THE GOWNS!

 Indonesian Beauties--The newly crwned 2018 Puteri Indonesia (Miss Universe Indonesia), Sonia Fergina (center) with 1st Runner-up Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan (Miss Indonesia International) Vania Fitryanti (Left) and 2nd Runner-Up Puteri Indonesia Pariwisata (Miss Indonesia Supranational) Wilda Octaviana (Right)--Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta Indonesia

 Some photos courtesy of Puteri Indonesia Official Facebook Page

This past Friday, March 9th, the 2018 Puteri Indonesia Beauty Pageant occurred crowning its new top Indonesian beauties. Puteri Indonesia is one of the most prestigious and oldest beauty pageants in Indonesia, whose winner gets the privilege to represent her country at the Miss Universe pageant. This year 39 contestants competed for the coveted title and Sonia Fergina Citra, the representative from Bangka Belitung, emerged as the top winner...

 Crowning Moment: Last year's Miss Universe Indonesia Bunga Jelitha (center) gets ready to crown the new 2018 Puteri Indonesia who will replace her...with eventual winner Sonia Fergina (Left) and 1st Runner-Up Vania Fitryanti (Right)--Jakarata Convention Center, Jakarta Indonesia

The new winner...

Sonia Fergina represented the province of the Bangka Belitung Islands. She's 25 years old and stands 1.78 m (5' 10") tall and is the youngest child of her family. She is no stranger to beauty pageants in that she was Top 10 in "Miss Oriental Tourism 2012" in Singapore, won "Model Mall Atrium in Style 2015" and was 1st Runner-Up of "Wajah Model Ramaja Bungka Belitung 2005". She will now represent Indonesia at the 2018 Miss Universe pageant occurring at the end of this year.

Special Guests in Fabulous Gowns...

 This year, the reigning Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel Peters of South Africa (second from right) attended, helping crown the winner as well as asking a final question during the finals.

Demi-Leigh wore a stunning Indonesian Kebaya gown designed by INAV by Intan Avantie--the gown featured hand embellished gold and royal blue flower-and-leaf designs, gold lace trim and a blush/golden silk organza overskirt. 

Besides Miss Universe 2017, two other international beauty queens were in attendance, invited by the Puteri Indonesia organization--Miss Supranational 2017 Jenny Kim from South Korea (second from left) and Indonesia's won Miss International 2017 Kevin Lilliana (center)--seen here with last year's Puteri Indonesia winners, all wearing Couture Kebayas from INAV by Intan Avantie in styles similar to the one worn by Miss Universe 2017 Demi-Leigh Nel Peters

Miss Universe 2017, Miss International 2017 and Miss Supranational 2017 weren't the only ones in fabulous gowns, since throughout the night, the pageant was a Gown-Spectacular show...showcasing the spectacular handwork and intricate designs of Indonesian design talent...

During the 2018 Puteri Indonesia pageant, the contestants all wore glittery gown throughout the night, including gold and silver sequined ones seen above after the naming of the Top 11 Semifinalists--2018 Puteri Indonesia Beauty Pageant

 The Top 11 semifinalists changed into these pink-and-red gowns featuring sequined fabrication along with solid flowy silks in various styles--2018 Puteri Indonesia Beauty Pageant

 Top Three in Pink/Red Gowns--2018 Puteri Indonesia Beauty Pageant

For the Finals, the Top Three did yet ANOTHER Gown Change for the Finale Crowning Gowns...

The top three wore these STUNNING creations by ANAZ , known for outfitting many beauty pageant contestants and winners at international pageants...

ANAZ gowns at Miss Grand International 2017 (L to R) Miss Grand Venezuela Tulia Aleman, Miss Grand South Sudan Eyga Mojus and Miss Grand International 2016 Arsika Putri Pertiwi

Gown Beautiful--2018 Puteri Indonesia Winner (center) with her Runners-Up in their ANAZ gowns...

The gowns were inspired by the beauty of flora and fauna of Pasundan Land. The designs featured sequined applique reminiscent of  the butterflies that fly around the flower garden under the shade of Mega Mendung’s. Other inspiration comes from the Batik of Mega Mendung, symbolizing the authentic heritage’s beauty of Pasundan Land--all in all these were stunning gown works of art!

Photo courtesy of ANAZ Instagram

CONGRATULATIONS and SELAMAT...to the WINNERS!!

...And Don't Forget about my "The Pageant Coloring Book" where you can create your VERY OWN Evening Gown Competition using my Fashion Illustrations! Click HERE to Purchase: