SASHES & TIARAS......Miss Grand International 2026 Preliminaries Evening Gowns: My TOP 20!

 Top Gowns - Miss Grand International 2026 Preliminary Competition Evening Gown (L to R): Miss Grand Thailand, Miss Grand Cuba, Miss Grand Czech Republic, Miss Grand U.S.A., Miss Grand Côte d'Ivoire

Last night was the Finals of the 14th Annual Miss Grand International. In the lead-up to the Final Night, the much-anticipated Preliminary Competition took place, where the 77 contestants showed themselves in National Costume, Swimsuit, and Evening Gown. Speaking of gowns...OH BOY!!!! We need to suspend any notions of a "regular" or traditional evening gown (one either seen at the top runways or in a high-end department store that still even carries them, such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. In the last 5+ years, Pageant Gowns have taken on a new meaning, almost crossing the line between national costume and showgirl looks. Somewhere in there is a gown. 

Feathers, Wings, and..."Victor Victoria"? Trends and Gowns from the 2026 Miss Grand International Preliminaries Evening Gown Competition (L to R: Miss Grand France, Miss Grand Hong Kong and Miss Grand Ecuador)

But I will be judging knowing that the criteria for "taste level" and not-so-over-the-top-ness have basically gone out the door. But...I cannot deny the inventiveness and quality of most of these creations...and the amount of work it took behind the scenes to make these seemingly one-of-a-kind looks...the amount of crystals, feathers, and...fittings to make each gown look perfect on these women. My "judging" is basically about "Stage Impact"...

So... without further ado...here I will give my Top 20 "Best in Gown" Picks — from 20 to Number One!

20. Miss Grand Pakistan Zara Younus - At #20 is this sequined gown in a "nude" base with a bright yellow mini-pleated cape. Her look was great in this "Kardashian"-like, Bob Mackie-esque gown, and I appreciated the cape's drama. Not a fan of those stacked nude heels, but oh well.

19. Miss Grand France Axelle Varin - Pink feathers for stage drama, and a pink sequined gown with nude illusion à la Cher. Compared to some of the other gowns on display, this was pretty tame and sweet, and therefore, it made my list. I also liked the swirling godets at the bottom of the gown, the off-the-shoulder neckline, and her chic pulled-back chignon.

18. Miss Grand Guatemala Ximena Carillo - Ximena's dress was unique (as you also say about the majority of these designs!); it definitely had that "stage presence" factor with its bright red fringe, crystals, and feathered hem. But the jutting-out shoulders took it to another level.

17. Miss Grand Singapore Nicole Nisha Bacon - This gown (if you could call it that!) was a costume for sure, and yet, I still liked its "Go For Broke" embrace of this Victoria's Secret Angel Wings-meets-Bird/Dragon-meets Crystal Showgirl over-the-top design.

16. Miss Grand Nigeria Uzogheli Ifeoma - Uzogheli also wore a gown with these popular "Bird-like" attachments. But what I liked was the crystal-and-sequin print in shades of blue...it stood out, and the figure-hugging shape gave her high "Curve-a-Licious" points in my book.

15. Miss Grand Hong Kong Yolanda Liu Xuebin - Don't be shocked, but...here we have yet another Bird-like Winged concoction...and I still liked it! The royal blue and deep red colors were impactful, and the shape hugged her in all the right places, fitting her petite frame just right and, seemingly, not overwhelming her. But yes, the star of this design was those stiffened and wired sequined wings. Over-the-top? Yes, but I was still wow'ed. And to finish the look: gold extended fingernail "tanggai".

14. Miss Grand Malaysia Vyan Trisni - OK, she came to SLAY kids! First, she makes a mysterious (and dramatic) entrance with a shimmering cape covering her head, and then, just at the right moment, she lets it drop, showcasing a unique red, blue, and silver crystal gown with body-like shapes of breasts/abdomen and thighs on it. It was a bit on the Halloween Couture side, but I appreciate the uniqueness of it all...and especially the over-the-head cape!

13. Miss Grand Philippines Angelica Lopez - If anyone wants a "Scheherazade" Costume/Gown, look no further because THIS IS IT! Sexy, Near-Eastern-looking, the beautiful turquoise, gold, and silver crystals...and yes, another cape; but this one was attached, and she used it for DRAMA, darlings! If only she could belly dance to Ravel's "Bolero" in this...then and only then would I be fully transfixed!

12. Miss Grand El Salvador Valeria Amaya - Valeria wore this royal blue and silver gown which featured a HUGE feathered boa. I loved the blue color and the upper torso detail framing her underbust with jutting-out "hors";m unique yet still quite pretty.

11. Miss Grand China Liu Mengmeng - This was one of my favorite gold gowns for its simplicity (yes, I know! But this IS simple compared to most of the other gowns on display!). I thought this design looked expensive, not overdone, and I could see it at Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Well done!

10. Miss Grand Japan Sara Chiba - I loved this golden gown worn by Sara. I loved the Sari-like drape at the side, the fringe, the bugle beads throughout...It was sexy, effective in its striking design, and had a high "exotic" gown quotient.

9. Miss Grand Ecuador Shyare Andrade - I just about dropped my Martini when I saw this! Naturally, my first thought was "Oh no, she didn't, Victor Victoria!" First, she walks out in this fully crystal-embellished white-and-silver gown with a Showgirl-like feathered attachment sticking upright behind her. Then, as she walks, it automatically drops to become a feathered "overskirt"...but wait, there's more: The fringed headdress dripping from her face! I almost stood up and applauded this, for whoever came up with this madness and for her, having the chutzpah to give it to everyone! I am sure I wasn't the only gay who smiled!

8. Miss Grand Colombia Maria Paula Berrio - Immediately when I saw this, I thought of that sequined, fringed gown worn by Miss Universe 2006 from Puerto Rico, Zuleyka Rivera Mendoza. I liked this gown for the obvious pageant-iconic reference and the feathered coat added stage drama...even though she didn't really need it.

7. Miss Grand Tanzania Jihan Mohin Dimachk - Jihan looked regal in this silver-and-nude illusion column gown featuring mirrored "paillettes" throughout (very Guy Melliet/Miss Venezuela Pageant circa 1988) and an attached ivory criss-cross off-the-shoulder detail that enveloped her, ending in an overskirt train. The crowd LOVED it, and so did I!

6. Miss Grand Venezuela Lady Di Mosquera - Yes, kids, you read that right: Her name IS Lady Di! And speaking of Miss Venezuela, she walked onto the stage in this nude-and-silver sequined gown with wing-like shoulder details framing her upper body and...a HUGE tulle cape that she then (of course!) dropped on the floor. The whole act was impactful, and she definitely gave the audience what they came here for. 

5. Miss Grand Thailand Patthama Jitsawat - The pageant was held in Bangkok, Thailand, so the country's representative had to BRING IT! And she did...and this Peacock-inspired couture creation in shimmering gold, emerald, and turquoise beading. The drama of the mini "feathered" peacock tail plus the jeweled forehead "crown" and sequined gloves...just WOW!

4. Miss Grand Cuba Alyanni T. Gomez - Well, she definitely got MY attention in this black, futuristic Couture Insect-like creation that would make Thierry Mugler blush! Not only did she wear this gown, but she came out with matching pleated black fans that, when she dropped them, fell perfectly onto the dress, adding to the pleated ruffles on it very naturally. This gown should be on display at a Miss Grand International Gown Museum...TOMORROW! Bravo! Oh, and I also loved her hairstyle: Giving Runway Diva!

3. Miss Grand USA Victoria Oluwakotanmi - Words cannot begin to describe what happened here, but I will try: First, she walks out on stage in this gorgeous fuchsia fit-and-flare mermaid gown with gold off-the-shoulder bust sequined detail. Done and done! I instantly had it in my Top Picks. But then, she turns around...and BAM: A Reveal! She proceeds to effortlessly remove the fuchsia gown section, throws it on the stage, revealing the rest of the gold sequined gown (with fuchsia crystals). It was a gown performance to end all gown performances! 

2. Miss Côte d'ivoire Marlene Kany Kouassi - Just stunning! Almost a 10 out of 10! She could not have picked a more perfect combination of colors to make her skin color and her look like a Gown Goddess. The red and gold column gown fit her to perfection; she looked like a movie star! And if it wasn't enough, the yellow and red tulle shawl put her on a level of a Diana Ross-like QUEEN performing at the biggest stage of her life! Like I said: Stunning.

Finally, my Number One Pick is...

1. Miss Grand Czech Republic Hana Dekhova - I almost gave my Number One to Miss Grand Côte d'Ivoire, but I couldn't resist putting Hana and this look at the top, mainly for drama and stage impact. She walks out in this silver metallic mirrored design...wearing a headpiece covering her face like a sequined veil, so that alone, I was in "Dune" Couture Priestess territory, so she had me at that! But then, she slightly pulls it back, creating more drama by making it look like a headdress cape, but then...she drops it all to reveal her beautiful face and hair and let the gown speak for itself. This was a TRIPLE Gown Whammy!