SASHES AND TIARAS.....68th Miss World Finals: Winner Miss Mexico, Best in Evening Gowns RECAP!

Worldly Gowns--(L to R) Miss World Thailand Nicolene Limsnukan, Miss World Uganda Quiin Abenakyo, Miss World Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon, Miss World 2014 Stephanie Del Valle, Miss World 2016 Megan Young--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

Crowning Moment--Miss World 2017, India's Manushi Chhillar crowns Miss World 2018, Mexico's Vanessa Ponce De Leon--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

This past Saturday were the Finals of the 68th Miss World Beauty Pageant, held in the Chinese resort city of Sanya. 118 contestants from all over the world competed for the coveted crown and the eventual winner was 26-year-old Vanessa Ponce De Leon, from Mexico...

Ayyyy Dios Mio!---Miss World Mexico Vanessa Ponce De Leon reacts to being named Miss World 2018, as her fellow contestants from the Americas (L to R) Miss World Peru Clarisee Uribe, Miss World United States Marisa Butler and Miss World Venezuela Veruska Ljubisavljevic, look on behind her--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

First Ever--Vanessa Ponce De Leon becomes the first contestant from Mexico to win Miss World--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

The 1.73 m (5' 8") tall model and beauty queen was born in Guanajuato and raised in Mexico City...

Mexico's Next Top Model 2014, Vanessa Ponce De Leon

Vanessa began her modeling career when she was on Cycle 5/Season 5 of Mexico's Next Top Model in 2014 (above photos), where she won. This past May, she was crowned Miss World Mexico 2018 and she made history on Saturday becoming the first representative from Mexico to be crowned Miss World.

Crowned Queen--Miss World 2017, India's Manushi Chhillar crowns Miss World 2018, Mexico's Vanessa Ponce De Leon--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

"I can't believe it, I really can't believe it," the newly crowned Miss World 2018 said backstage. "And I think all the girls deserved it. I am proud to represent all of them. I will do as much as I can in the time I have got. Thank you so much, everyone."

La Charro--Miss World Mexico Vanessa Ponce De Leon in her "Dances of the World" National Costume, the traditional "Charro"/Cowboy look of her country

Vanessa Ponce De Leon--From Mexico's Next Top Model to Miss World Mexico to...Miss World 2018

The new Miss World has a degree in International Business and has worked as a model and TV host. She is also involved in charity work, and serves on the board of directors of a rehab center for girls and volunteers for Migrantes en el Camino and is also a speaker for the National Youth Institute. Vanessa has qualified as an open water scuba diver, and also enjoys playing volleyball, painting and ultimate Frisbee, according to the official Miss World website.

Continental Beauties--(L to R) Miss World Thailand and Miss World Asia Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan , Miss World Belarus and Miss World Europe Maria Vasilevich of Belarus, Miss World 2018, Mexico's Vanessa Ponce De Leon, Miss World Jamaica and Miss World Caribbean Kadijah Robinson, Miss World Panama and Miss World Americas Solaris Barba, Miss World Uganda and Miss World Africa Quiin Abenakyo--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

Costume Show--Contestants at the Miss World 2018 Finals show off their festive and fabulous costumes during the "Dances of the World" portion of the Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

Now it's time to discuss THE EVENING GOWNS!!!

Sequin Divas--(L to R) Miss World Thailand Nicolene Limsnukan, Miss world Uganda Quiin Abenakyo, Miss World Mexico Vanessa Ponce de Leon, Miss World 2014 Stephanie Del Valle, Miss World 2016 Megan Young--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

First, let's begin with some of the former Miss World's and presenters of Saturday's show:

Megan Young Miss World 2014--It's always a good bet that former Miss World's look much more fabulous than some of the current year's contestants. There are many reasons for this but mainly: They have a stylist and designers who want to lend them gowns---very high quality ones! And this year was no exception. Megan Young, from the Philippines co-presented the Miss World 2018 Finals and looked beautiful in two gowns--a golden sequined ballgown from Andrea Tetangco (L) and a silver crystal column from Mark Bumgarner . She looked DIVINE.

Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar--India's Manushi Chhillar who was giving up her Miss World crown wore this black ensemble gown from Indian designer Sabyasachi Mukcherjee . She described the look as "Indian-meets-Victorian" and that pretty much summed it up! The look featured a black sequined bra-top, full ballgown skirt and sari-like wrap. I thought she looked sexy, elegant and had a "WOW" of a stage presence.

Miss World 2016 Stephanie Del Valle--My top favorite look from the former Miss World's was this gorgeous design worn by Puerto Rico's Stephanie Del Valle, Miss World 2016. When she was onstage in this violet sequined-and-nude-netting gown, I gasped "Oh No She Didn't!". She did. The gown was designed and created by Carlos Alberto  and was EVERYTHING, darling. Muy Bien.

Time for the Finalists' Gowns:

Top Five--(L to R) Miss World Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan, Miss World Uganda Quiin Abenakyo, Miss World Mexico Vanessa Ponce De Leon, Miss World Jamaica Kadijah Robinson, 

         Miss World Belarus Maria Vasilevich--Miss World 2018 Finals, Sanya China

My Favorites were:

1. Miss World Mexico Vanessa Ponce De Leon--Vanessa wore this off the shoulder blush/ivory sequined gown and it made her look like a WINNING QUEEN! The design featured a column gown with a full back overskirt and fitted top section with v-neckline. I loved everything about it and especially, that she wore the right nude heels (not some tacky "Stripper Platform" ones).
Score: 9.65

2. Miss World Uganda Quiin Abenakyo--Quiin looked like a Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week runway model in this silver and red sequined gown. I thought this was a daring choice (I can just hear those people on the web thinking "OMG! She looks like a Christmas Gift!). Forget those people: I admire daring and admire this design, which featured a one shoulder strap, fitted bustier, full skirt with side drape details. I also loved the bias-cut stripes that added dimension and interest in the gown. She looked very high fashion chic!

Score: 9.50

3. Miss World Thailand Nicolene Pichapa Limsnukan--Next on my Top Five Best Miss World 2018 gown is this sequined-and-feathered look worn by Miss World Thailand. While this may be a hot minute from being a little too Figure Skating Queen-meets-Showgirl...it was still pretty stage impacting and fit her beautifully. I admired the crystals vs. nude panel design and had all the makings of "I am here to WIN!". This is a gown that was somewhat wasted at the Miss World stage, and should have been saved for the sexy va-va-voom Miss Universe. 
Score: 9.25

4. Miss World Panama Solaris Barba--Solaris eventually got the Miss World Americas title after Miss World Mexico won Miss World. She wore this baby blue ballgown for the Finals and looked very nice. I liked the sweetness factor and how well it fit her. The delicate sequin applique on the gown added a luxe element to an otherwise simple silhouette.
Score: 9.10

5. Miss World Belarus Maria Vasilevich--Miss World Belarus wore this emerald green gown at the Miss World 2018 Finals. While one could also say this was a bit "Christmas-y" in its design and color, I thought she looked quite pretty. The color suited her and the design was sweet, pretty and safe and fit well (look how PERFECTLY TO THE FLOOR it is in the above photo!). The dress featured sequined panels juxtaposed with emerald green organza as well as a nude illusion neckline. 
Score: 8.90

6. Miss World Jamaica Kadijah Robinson--Kadijah wore this royal blue fit-and-flare gown which garnered my last spot in Top Six Gowns of the Miss World 2018 Finals. I though it fit her exquisitely and the color worked well onstage and against her skin. It was simple and classic "beauty pageant"; as if she ordered it from  a Pageant Gown Website. There was nothing wrong with it, except for my fashionista taste, I would have wanted something more exciting...and fashion-forward.
Score: 8.25

CONGRATULATIONS...

Vanessa Ponce De Leon Miss World Mexico on becoming THE FIRST contestant from Mexico to win Miss World! FELICITACIONES!