Pageant Minute: Best (and Not So Best) Evening Gowns of 2011--The Beauty Pageant Edition!!!

Beauty Pageant Gowns--A 2011 Look Back at some of my Favorite, The Hoochies, and The Oh-Dear What Were You Thinking?

This past year has been a "mixed" year in terms of evening gowns in the beauty pageant world. There have been some really good ones that displayed modernity, directionality, and a nod to the red carpet and what actual stars like Angelina Jolie or Charlize Theron would wear for an event such as the Academy Awards or Cannes Film Festival. However, for some reason, there still have been plenty of tacky-licious Hoochie Mammas, with plunging tops that reveal too much of the "sisters" and slits so high that well, one would be quite confused whether or not these ladies were running for Miss Universe or attending the Exxxotica Expo LA Adult Entertainment Show and Convention! Since I love discussing beauty pageants and especially the evening gowns here, I thought it would be fun to give you guys my List of the Top--and the Not-So Top Gowns, from some of the most important international beauty pageants, like Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Venezuela, Miss USA, etc., of 2011. So without further ado...

The Best:

Leila Lopes, Miss Universe 2011, from Angola: Simply perfect! One of my favorites of 2011. Leila wore a gold-colored strapless lace sequined gown with feathered detail. Now, I know that all of those details sound like a lot, and in the wrong hands it might have come out a MESS. But it did not. The gown was elegant and perfect for her skin color. She accessorized it with those gold stacked-heel pumps and kept it very modern with little-to-almost no jewelry. All these style ingredients helped her clinch the Miss Universe crown.

Miss Mexico 2011, Karin Ontiveros, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: Karin did not make the Semi-Final Round during the Miss Universe Pageant this past year but she did, in my opinion, wear one of the Top Gowns of the Year. This off-the-shoulder lilac metalized satin draped gown was modern and had a nod to the Grecian-Goddess trend. It didn't overwhelm her or take away from her beauty and looked "Red Carpet Hollywood Star" appropriate.

Miss Venezuela 2011-2012 Irene Esser: This gown, by Venezuelan Beauty Pageant Designer KING Gionni Straccia, was fit for a QUEEN. A Venezuelan Queen. The gown looked like something one would see from an Armani Prive Haute Couture Collection--the silk lame, the hand-sewn Swarovski crystals and the perfect fit. I also loved it in that she won with a gown that had (GASP!) NO SLIT! A Beauty pageant Winner wearing a gown with NO SLIT?! Who would have thunk it? I would have.

Miss New York USA 2011, Amber Marie Collins, Miss USA 2011 Pageant: Another one of my Top Beauty Pageant Evening Gowns of 2011 was this gown worn by Miss New York USA at the Miss USA 2011 Pageant. She didn't make it into the Semi-Final Round but with this gown alone, she should have! The gown was designed by the same designer who created Miss Venezuela's--Gionni Straccia. I love it's simplicity, lack of too-high HOOCHIE slit, and delicate and beautiful shoulder, underbust and torso sequin trim. This is "Pageant Gown Lite" and the direction most pageant gowns should be going.

Miss Merida 2011 Yasmeira Gutierrez: Shimmering and simply stunning! This was one of my other favorite gowns from this past year's Miss Venezuela Pageant and well, one of my Top of the Year. It was a strapless silver-and-gold sequined silk organza gown from, yes, Venezuelan designer Gionni Straccia (he's on a roll here in my End-of-The-Year List). This is how I know a gown is good: I can see it on any top actress at the Oscars and see it end up in the "Best Dressed List" the day after.

Miss Hungary 2011, Linda Szunai, Miss World 2011 Pageant: I absolutely loved this simple baby blue and turquoise strapless gathered bust empire-style gown, worn by Miss Hungary 2011 at the Miss World 2011 "Top Model" Presentation. This gown shows how you can do Elegant without any be-dazzler machine. It has CLASS written all over it. It's safe, yes, but still impacting.

Miss Ghana 2011, Erica Nego at the Miss Universe 2011: Erica wore this during the Miss Universe 2011 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition and I touted it then as one of my favorite gowns of the Prelims. She didn't make the Semi-Finalist cut but to me, she still made an elegant impact with this strapless fuchsia and royal blue split-front empire style gathered bust gown. Gorgeous.

Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella, Miss USA 2011 Pageant: Alyssa, who was Miss California USA, wore this emerald green gown--from Pageant-and-Prom Fave Sherri Hill--for the Miss USA 2011 Live Telecast. And she won! As everyone knows, red-heads should wear this color like, ALL THE TIME! It suited her well and the gown, was yes, five minutes away from looking a bit "Pageant Betty Perfect" but somehow it still had enough Runway Couture in its fit and structure to deem it one of my favorites of 2011.

Miss India Earth 2011, Hasleen Kaur, Miss Earth 2011 Pageant: In summing up my Top Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2011, I thought I should add a couple "Ball Gown/Princess" styles, since this almost became a trend of this past year. I really loved this pale blue-and-ivory gown worn by Miss India Earth during the Miss Earth 2011 Evening Gown Presentation. It was very Dior Haute Couture in its silhouette and Hasleen carried it well. I'm sure in the eyes of many pageant observers, it might not have been a favorite. But to me, it stood out as a vision of (semi) Haute Couture Fab-u-locity.

Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela, Miss World 2011 Pageant: Finally, I had to add the Gianni Straccia gown Venezuelan beauty Ivian Sarcos wore when she won the Miss World 2011 title. To be frank, I wasn't a total fan. But...there was something about it that well, I still liked (the top section I think), and yes, the way the almost 6-foot-tall beauty carried it off. When she walked on stage there was no denying she was "in it to win it" and she made all the judges focus on her! If a Hollywood starlet wore this at the Oscars, she would get SLAMMED the next day and be on the Worst Dressed List. But for Miss World and their vision of the "Disney Princess Beauty", it was just right.

The Oooh Girl What Were You Thinking?

And now, I present to you my "Oh Dear" List. These gowns should be banned forever from beauty pageants, red carpet events,..heck even tacky Quinceañera's. A Note to any women wanting to enter a major beauty pageant and thinking about what evening gown style to wear: please don't EVER wear these.

Miss Falcon 2011 Haydee Castillo, Miss Venezuela 2011 Pageant: designed by Luis Perdomo, this ivory satin gown was a mess. The too-high gathered halter-bust sections, the attached petal skirt, then a silver crystal trim waist tie? No, huney. Poor thang, she HAD to know she wasn't even going to be in the Semi-Semi-Semi Finals in this; she must have done something to make Osmel Sousa (Miss Venezuela Pageant Director) mad at her and therefore, she got this gown.

Miss Turkey Earth 2011, Merve Saribas, Miss Earth 2011 Pageant: There is something SO TACKY about this concoction above that makes me want to go have many, many Martinis with her! Seriously. It's BAD! Poor Merve--who is just stunning--she was somehow coaxed into wearing this during the Miss Earth 2011 Evening Gown Presentation. Doesn't she have any fashionista gay friends in her homeland who should have advised her against this? It's so bad that the woman (on the left side, front row) in the photo is actually LAUGHING at what a mess this dress is!

Miss Colombia 2011, Maria Catalina Robayo Vargas, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: Oh Miss Colombia. You did it this time. You and this gown (if you would call it that) will enter you into the Drag Queen Hall of Fame. Ru Paul should be wearing this. Not Miss Colombia! It's a Halloween Orange strapless fan-pleated gown and...

A gold and bronze stretch sequined jumpsuit. At the same time! It's sooo tacky and bad, it's Drag Queen Good! I need to see this on the female partner of a Figure Skating Ice Dancing Couple from Russia. Like TOMORROW!

Miss Dominican Republic 2011, Dalia Fernandez, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: Dalia thought she was entering the "Stripper of the Year" contest as opposed to the Miss Universe Pageant in this gown. That slit is SO high that well, I feel like she's about to see her gynecologist. Slits that high--up to the you-know-what--should be banned. Period. But then, if that wasn't enough, throw in the polyester satin fabrication and that too-plunging neckline. No Mija. No.

Miss Mongolia 2011, Buyankhishig Unurbayar, Miss World 2011 Pageant: Speaking of plunging necklines. This is what I said about this dress back in my Miss World 2011 evening gown post: I can't even focus on the rest of the dress when THOSE things are so propped up and on full display; it's like "Here they are! Y'all want them?" How do you say that in Mongolian? Oh, here's a positive: I LOVE that sequined Disco headband!! So Olivia Newton-John "Let's Get Physical"! Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

Finally here are my Top Three Worst:

Miss Austria 2011, Julia Hofer, Miss World 2011: Julia Julia Julia...what bad curtain from your grandma back in Vienna did you use to make this gown? She's such a cute girl, why this awful 1984-looking dress? It was bad in 1984...and it's bad in 2011.

Miss Belize 2011, Kadejah Tunn, Miss World 2011 Pageant: She is a Cha-Cha Queen, a Mambo Dancer and a come-hither stripper, all in one tacky dress. The low-rent fabrication, the side cut-outs, those tiered Carmen Miranda ruffles, then the open-toe gold pumps. Oh huney, I'm sure you're a sweet, sweet woman, but you have just made my "Oh Dear! Pageant Gown List" of 2011.

Miss Belgium 2011, Justine De Jonckheere, Miss Universe 2011 Pageant: The very pretty Justine takes the prize as the WORST of Beauty Pageant Gowns of 2011 in this baby blue and ivory concoction. This is like Scheherazade got attacked by a tacky fabric store in Alabama! The slit, the one blouson sleeve, the connecting midriff trim, those tacky shoes, a CUFF (?), oh and that 1992 French Twist Up-Do? What. Were. You. Thinking? For all that, you get the "Nick V. 'Oh Dear!' Evening Gown" Crown for 2011.

What did you guys think? What were your favorite--and not-so-favorite Beauty Pageant Evening Gowns of 2011? Did I miss any? Let me know! I'd LOVE to know your thoughts!!! And...
Happy 2012!!! I'm looking forward to more Good and BAD Pageant Gowns in 2012!

Miss World 2011 Evening Gowns: The Costumed "Native Couture" Girls!

The Miss World Evening Gown National Costume Parade of Nations...

If you've been reading my recent posts in this blog, I've been "reviewing" the evening dresses featured in last week's "Miss World Top Model World Designer" fashion show presentation. The Miss World Finals are this Sunday and this was one of the "Fast Track" Competitions. Now, I must discuss the "Costumed" ladies of this fashion show presentation. These are the contestants who wore dresses that were a little bit "costume-y" either in its fabrication or style, "Native Couture", I like to call it. There are some fabulous creations here--as well as some "Oh No Huney!" dresses...you be the judge:

Let's begin with...

Miss Cote d'Ivoire 2011 Kohiman Kouadio: There's so many things going on in this dress: A) All those colors. B) The prints. C) The varying shapes happening--not only is there a mermaid silhouette, then there are bell-shapes to the sleeves. If there was a prize for how many design elements one can put in a dress, she would WIN! Love that smile! She's saying "You know you love my Crazee Couture!"...en francais, of course.

Miss Tanzania 2011 Salha Israel: Another one of my "Native Couture" ladies is Miss Tanzania. Now, this is what I call ORIGINAL. Miss Salha has no shame featuring this ensemble--and doing it with the aplomb of a model in a Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Paris runway show!

Is it a bit "costume'y"? yes. But is it still HOT? In a CRAZY-Hot sort of way. The multi-colored beaded crochet netting, her headdress, those STACKED heels of hers. She looks likes she went out to catch some fish, then through on the netting as a dress and some heels and decided to go to a party afterward.

Miss United States Virgin Islands 2011 Esonica Veira: This Caribbean lovely went with a resort-inspired brightly printed halter-style dress that evokes a little bit of the flora-and-fauna of her islands. I like the colors, but not so sure it's THAT much of a statement-making dress. One can find this style--and even that type of print, in any Resort Boutique. She really should have gone all out and added an over-the-top Carnival-like feathered headdress to go with it.

Miss Indonesia World 2011 Astrid Elena: Speaking of feathers...How 'bout that hairstyle accessory? Don't know what it has to do with Indonesia but I'm all for it: loving the three red feathers and loving the red high-necked gown. The beaded applique is stunning and yes, it looks quite expensive. This look combines the theatricality of a costume with the three-feather accessory but, take those away, and it's a great red carpet-worthy gown.

Miss Botswana World 2011 Karabo Sampson: Yes, darling, we get it, Bostwana is in the continent of Africa. Therefore she went with a gold-and-black zebra printed strapless gown with some contrast gold metallic lamé at the bottom and a spotted animal print as well--thrown in for good "Safari" measure. It's A LOT of animal print. And somehow all I can think is that some 70's Pimp is missing his gold-and-black zebra printed RUG!

Miss Kenya 2011 Susan Anyango: Another African beauty, Susan Anyango of Kenya, also went the "Native Couture" route with this bright coral-and-black gown featuring slashed panels, godets, ruffles on the neckline and hem as well as printed applique. It's a little "Halloween-y" and "First Semester Fashion School Student" project. Again, ladies, LESS can be MORE! Oh, and I can never say this enough: stay away from the flammable POLY SATIN!

Miss Japan World 2011 Midori Tanaka: Love this Kimono-inspired creation. This is a perfect way to mesh both the "Evening Gown" and "World Designer/Native" elements. I absolutely LOVE that Kimono silk fabrication: stunning. I'm just not sure how the other gold fabrication goes with it.

Miss Barbados 2011 Taisha Carrington: Taisha went the "Avant Garde" route for her "World Designer" pick. She ends up in my "Costume-y" section because well, it's a bit on the "She's on a FLOAT at Carnival AND going to some fancy party at the Coral Reef Club in Saint James"...in the same NIGHT! I love the turquoise color and high-neck design and I actually don't mind those stiff princess-seam panels on the skirt. I wish the fitted shape would have continued as opposed to the full gathered satin bottom.

Miss Macedonia FYRO 2011 Vesma Jakimovska: What, in the name of the Fashion Gods, is this? The fully-sequined silver and black gown, the KRAZEE twisted details at the torso, shoulder and on the "arm band". AN ARM BAND!!!! And then, that's not enough: she finishes with a mini fascinator top hat! She's either going to a Gay Pride Parade in her country, or she's one of the singers at Eurovision. She gets points for even keeping a straight face through it all.

Miss Turkey World 2011 Gizem Karaca: Finally in my "Native Couture/Costume" section, I present to you Miss Turkey. First of all, I think the gown is fantastic! It looks expensive, well made and the gold-and-silver beading is OUTRAGEOUS. It's very ON-Trend with that all the top designers--from NY to Paris--are showing. And by just adding the gold trim as a headband accessory she goes into "I'm an Ottoman Empire Princess" territory. Simply Fab!

Miss World 2011 Evening Gowns: The "Uh Oh's" & HOOCHIES!

Bad...or Hoochie Bad???

Miss Mongolia World 2011: Where do you think she will end up on my "Uh Oh!" List? Is she just Bad, or is she Hoochie Bad? Read on to find out...

Continuing with my "Review" of the World Designer Evening Dresses that the Miss World 2011 contestants chose--or were chosen for them by their (sometimes) misguided pageant directors...In my last post, I discussed my "Best" list, so now, let's talk about the ladies who should have known better...I have a feeling those judges might have been quietly going "What was she thinking?" I would have. And please, lovely nations of these beautiful ladies: take no offense, I'm not critiquing the country just the choice of tacky dresses...

Miss Costa Rica World 2011 Paola Chaverri: Oh huney. What 1987 Prom--in San Jose Costa Rica-- did you think you were going to? Mi amor. Querida Paola. There is no need for so many wired ruffles. She's gorgeous and statuesque (almost 6 foot!), and would have looked amazing in a LONG column gown with her hair slicked back in a classic elegant chignon. One good Style Note: the taupe/nude peep-toe heels are great!

Miss Belize World 2011 Kadejah Tunn: God bless her! Miss Tunn is all 5'4" and she's tryin' amongst her fellow 6 foot competitors. She wants to be noticed. But in this dress, she'll be noticed for the wrong reasons. First of all, did some animal get to the side of her gown and take CHUNKS off her side? Just sayin'. And then it's like a cha-cha drag queen from the hips down! Now, I love me a Cha Cha Drag Queen (it's my alter ego!), but that may not be your best muse for the Miss World 2011 "Top Model/World Designer Fashion Show. And does the last cut out have a black mesh inset?! Yikes!

Miss Austria 2011 Julia Hofer: No, no and NO! Please tell me this is not considered "evening gown red carpet material" in the lovely nation of Austria. I can find that in Santee Alley in Downtown LA. And those pick-up ruffles say Tacky Quinceañera in ANY language. She's so pretty , why oh why would she wear this?

Miss Montenegro World 2011 Maja Maras: Let's start with the positive: it reminds me of a Rodarte dress--the draped gathered silhouette and unique embellishment. Now the not-so-good: The askew gathered draping and unusual embellishment! Is that aluminum foil twisted and knotted? Or Xmas garlands? It so did not need that. Without it, the dress would have been ten minutes away from being called "Grecian Goddess". Here, she's far from it.

Miss Aruba World 2011 Gillain Berry: Part of me wants to grab Gillain, hold her and take her back into my NIKOLAKI studio and give her the dress she should be wearing (something about that oh-so-pretty face makes me want to befriend her). This white (flammable poly satin, I'm sure!) gown is A LOT: it is straight out of some 1980's "Dynasty" episode (or more like "The Colby's"). I wish I had been there at the "Miss World 2011 Top Model/World Designer" fashion show/presentation: I would have gotten my scissors and started cutting those ruffles away!

Miss Cyprus World 2011 Orthodoxia Panagi: First of all: love her name--Orthodoxia!!! But, I do not love her gown so much. We all know the first rule of making dresses for women: DO NOT HIGHLIGHT, or make it look, as if she's got HUGE hips! This white poly (how do I know?, look at those rippling badly sewn seams) satin taffeta dress is just wrong. From the KRAZEE ruffled top to the side exposure to the cowl hip draped detail...This is a clear case of a designer who thought they were being "edgy" and told their client "just wear it!". Next time, say NO!

The Hoochie Girls:

Miss Gibraltar 2011 Michelle Petersen: Two years ago, Miss Gibraltar won the Miss World title so of course, people are thinking, could another lovely woman from the famous British overseas territory do it again. Maybe, but not in this gown. Let me get to the positive: She's beautiful and the gown fabrication--all-over gold metallic sequins--is quite fabulous. But then, why-oh-why does she have to expose SO much? The SISTAHS are all out for everyone to see and if that's not enough, there's the ultra-high side slit. One or the other. Not both.

Miss Lebanon World 2011 Yara Khoury-Mikhael: HUUUNEEEYYY! Speaking of showing a lot, I present to you Miss Lebanon. First off, once again: I LOVE the heavy gold beaded fabrication. But then, the rest of the gown is this sheer iridescent nude! It is exposing parts of her that I am embarrassed to see. First of all: is that her white SPANX panty under there? If not, then what is it, mini shorty-shorts? I don't get it. Why white, why not just gold? Why is the gown from the waist down not lined? So many questions...and I just don't have the time. If I was judging, I would have moved on.

Miss Norway World 2011 Anna Zahl: Somehow Miss Norway's Designer wanted to make a statement with this dress. The statement was: I am going to TAO in Las Vegas and will try--even if I am waiting in line for THREE HOURS--to get in! How is this long-sleeved mini dress (that ANYONE can get in mall anywhere in the world) so special and worthy of a "World Fashion Designer Award"? I think Anna was sabotaged. Plain and simple. Now get back in line at TAO!

Miss Mongolia 2011 Buyankhishig Unurbayar: Finally, yes, Miss Mongolia ends up in my "Hoochie" section for this concoction of a gown. It's not necessarily the gown but that oh-so-plunging neckline. Seriously, I can't even focus on the rest of the dress when THOSE things are so propped up and on full display; it's like "Here they are! Y'all want them?" How do you say that in Mongolian? Oh, here's a positive: I LOVE that sequined Disco headband!! So Olivia Newton-John "Let's Get Physical"!

* Next Up: The Miss World Evening Gown "Costumed" Ladies...

Pageant Minute: "Miss Venezuela 2011" Evening Gowns-The Not Fab, Not Bad, just "Eh" List!

The "Middle Girls"...Not Fab, Not Bad, just "In the Middle"

Coochie Coochie: Miss Apure Jeserly Gutierrez (Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net)

This past weekend--as we know--was the "Miss Venezuela 2011" Pageant. The winner was the gorgeous Irene Esser (above), who represented the State of Sucre and wore a very nice silver metallic gown with shoulder-and-torso covering paillettes. Everyone agreed she looked perfect. In my last post, I gave my "Top 5 Plus Honorable Mentions" for my favorites of the evening gowns. I have to say that for this year's edition, there were A LOT of great gowns. There really weren't any big gown "missteps" or "Ayyy Dios Mio!" (I kind of wish there were!, but kudos to the designers). If this was a Project Runway Challenge, there would be no "OUT", but just "These ended up in the MIDDLE" for reasons like too-high of a slit or wrong dress on the wrong girl. So...here are my "Middle Gown Bellezas" Awards.

The HOOCHIE Award goes to:

Miss Apure Jeserly Gutierrez: Jerserly's gown, designed by Venezuelan designer Valentina Cedeño, was a simple white silk crepe halter gown, which at first glance: I liked. It looked modern and not encumbered by all the usual "tricks and bells" Miss Venezuela gowns have been known for. But then she began to walk and OOOPS: THAT Slit! If anyone was seated slightly below the stage, they might have seen her Britney. Gracias a Dios the judges were in seats way above the stage so they didn't get to see any of that. And not only did she have that WAY too-high slit, but someone felt that she also need a way-too-low neckline as well. It's either one or the other, but both?

Real Housewife of Orange County meet the Mother of The Bride...(Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net)

The Mother-of-the-Bride Award Goes To:

Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Miss Falcon Haydee Castillo: This gown, created by Venezuelan designer Luis Perdomo, was probably the biggest miss of the night--if one had to pick. It was a halter-style silk charmeuse dress featuring laser-cut petals in the skirt section. The halter section fit was odd and the overall style lacked youth and modernity. It was better suited for a Mother-of-the-Bride, not a young gorgeous beauty pageant contestant. It was just a little bit off.

Real Housewives of Orange County Award Goes To:

Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Miss Distrito Capital Gabrila Ferrari: Gabriella almost won the Miss Venezuela title. She came in second and won the Miss Venezuela World crown. Her gown--designed by go-to-pageant designer Gionni Straccia--was a show-stopper for sure, with its all-over sequins. But somehow, she looked like one of the "Real Housewives of Orange County" dressed up for the night. I don't think it was the gown's fault but more the fault of how she was "showing it".

Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Gabriela kept putting her leg out to show the audience and judges how high that slit was and it cheapened the dress. I bet if this was on a dark-haired exotic girl (with a slick-back chignon), it would have looked TOTALLY different. Plus those Pink sequined pumps were a NO!

The Come-Hither Award Goes To:

Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Miss Monagas Rossana Medina: When Rossana walked on stage during the evening gown portion and the show's host announced that "her gown was designed by Angel Sanchez..." It promptly got my attention. I LOVE Angel Sanchez' dresses and admire his work and how he transformed the Miss Venezuela gowns in the late 90's/early 2000's into more refined elegant red carpet visions. I was surprised by this gown because it wasn't one of his architectural silk gazar stunners. I did, however, like the column one-shoulder style and the sublime white silk crepe fabrication.

Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

It had asymmetrical silver crystal inset beading and yes, it also had a very revealing side slit. I think it was again, the way the contestant was showing the dress which cheapened it.

Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

There was no elegance to it. She kept turning to show her derriere and at the same time, gave come-hither "I will take your man away" looks. No. No. And No. Not in an Angel Sanchez gown huney!

The Bad Bust Fit Award Goes To:

Photo Courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Miss Bolivar Fanny Ottati (what a fun name!): Fanny has some big SISTAHS, so she decides (or maybe the pageant organizers incorrectly decided) to wear a strapless gown. Strapless, kids, work best on girls with little boobies, thank you very much. Otherwise, it looks wrong. And guess what happened here? Si, WRONG!

The white sequin-and-beaded gown, designed by Manuel Gonzalez wasn't bad, it was just the bad boobie fit. Notice how the cups stand out leaving all this empty space. Also, it's too "pushed up", totally cutting her torso and making her look as if her breasts are almost touching her chin! Ayyy pobrecita.

Too Covered Up Award Goes To:

Miss Yaracuy Osmariel Villalobos: Osmariel came in fourth and won the title of Miss Venezuela Earth to go on to represent her country in the Miss Earth beauty pageant (yes, kids, there's a Miss Earth!). She was one of my favorites of the night because she wasn't your typical "Pageant Betty": no fake boobies, no big bouffant 80's Joan Collins/Dynasty hair. For her evening gown portion, she wore a Nidal Nouaihed-designed gown that featured hundreds if not thousands of mirror crystals and sequins. It won a trophy for one of the "Best Gowns/Best Designers" of the night.

Venezuelan Couturier Guy Meliet with client Barbara Palacios Teyde, Miss Venezuela and then Miss Universe 1986

The gown was an homage to Paris-born Venezuelan Couturier Guy Meliet. He designed Haute Couture creations beginning in the 1960's and into the oil-boom 80's. His clients ranged from all the rich Caracas Society "Country Club" doyennes, to a lot of Miss Venezuela's and Miss Universe winners, such as Barbara Palacios Teyde, Miss Universe 1986. Guy Meliet used a lot of unusual fabrications for his one-of-kind creations, including actual mirrors and therefore the Nouaihed gown payed tribute to this.

Mirrored Meliet: Miss Tachira 1988 Nancy Elena Garcia Amor, a Finalist in the Miss Venezuela 1988 pageant, in an Guy Meliet creation entirely made of triangle-cut mirrors on top of a silk organza base

The Nouaihed Gown on Miss Yaracuy, Osmariel Villalobos

I thought it was a VERY impacting gown but not sure it was right for the 5'7" Osmariel. It was open in the back but I felt maybe it was (dare I say it!) too covered up in the front--the high neck, the long sleeves. I think the biggest problem was not the gown but the hairstyle. If she had worn it up, in a beautiful chignon or even a slicked back ponytail I would have appreciated the beauty of the gown much more.

So, there you go. No real "Bad Miss Venezuela 2011 Gowns" just mistakes made by the contestants, the stylists or a too-high slit here and there. Overall: A Good Gown Show for Pageant Fans and Venezuelan Fashion Designers.

Can't wait to see what each of the top girls ends up wearing for the BIG pageants, Miss Universe, Miss World, and so on!