Tag: Haute Couture

NOTEWORTHY: This Is How You Do Pageant Photography

It is that time of year again when the most successful national pageant in the world, Miss Venezuela, gets underway. The unveiling of the official photos of this year’s contestants reveals the reason for the success of Osmel Sousa’s enterprise. Venezuela always manages to take the contest to new heights, this year through photography.

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Miss Venezuela photographer Alejandro Lee captures the imagination which images that look made right on the (IMG) Miss Universe stage.

Everything is on point, the styling, the shoes and the retro swimsuits, which highlight the hourglass figures.

It shows the care and attention to detail that goes into the planning of the Miss Venezuela pageant and the performance of their winners internationally.

Regretfully, most national pageants chose to hate rather than emulate the Miss Venezuela Organization. Yet, nothing succeeds like success!

 

GOWN PORN

Another welcome deviation from the Bling Wars, is this creation by Pinoy designer Mark Bumgarner. It is smashing, as it does not contain any decoration. This allows the simplicity of the material to highlight the design, a modern interpretation of a timeless classic. As worn by newly crowned Miss World Philippines 2017, it could have been a masterclass in evening gown presentation. Sadly, she chose to wear this beautiful creation with the most inappropriate footwear, cheapening the overall look.

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GOWN PORN

In this time when it seems that designers are trying to see who can put the most bling on a gown, this toned down version by Pinoy designer Mak Tumang really catches the eye and sets the one wearing it apart from the crowd.

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What did we Learn from our MASTERCLASSES on the Best Gown Looks of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant?

  • the Miss Universe title is won in a bespoke creation by a proper designer, never in an off the rack knock off by a so-called “fashion house”
  • find the classic shape that will highlight your best features and then look for a unique fabric
  • wear elegant shoes that fit with and complement your gown
  • hairstyles should be elegantly simple
  • keep your neck unencumbered
  • do not overaccesorise
  • stay away from too much bling

MASTERCLASS: The Best Gown Look of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant’s Preliminary Competition

It is time to present the Best Gown Look of the 65th Miss Universe pageant, not only of the Preliminary competition. Coupled with an masterful catwalk presentation, this gown set Iris Mittenaere well on her way to winning the title of Miss Universe.

Indeed, the Best Gown Look of the 65th Miss Universe pageant belongs to

 MISS FRANCE

Its unusual colour made Iris’ gown stand out in a sea of same-olds and its shape was perfect to showcase the future Miss Universe’s hourglass figure and gorgeous shoulders. The choice of shoes, hairstyle and accessories complemented the elegance and class of the gown and Iris’ catwalk and poses were simply ideal for this unique gown.

Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016 competes on stage in her evening gown during the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization
Iris Mittenaere, Miss France 2016 competes on stage in her evening gown during the 65th MISS UNIVERSE® Preliminary Competition at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, January 26, 2017. The contestants have been touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown in the Philippines. Tune in to the FOX telecast at 7:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed on Sunday, January 29, live from the Philippines to see who will become Miss Universe. HO/The Miss Universe Organization

Iris looked ready for the red carpet of all the major award ceremonies and even the Met Gala. Or as it turns out, to win the Miss Universe crown.

This presentation gave us an indication of what we are now seeing, that Iris Mittenaere will be one of the, if not the, most stylish and fashion forward Misses Universe of the last 20 years.

MASTERCLASS: The Third Best Gown Look of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant’s Preliminary Competition

The recently concluded 65th edition of the Miss Universe pageant, now under ownership of WME/IMG, encompassed a redefinition of the brand.

The gowns worn by the contestants in the competition however, defy redefinition. The Miss Universe stage should be the showcase for elegant, fashion forward creations by up and coming designers from around the world. Yet this year once again, the majority of contestants wore dresses that you would only see in a pageant or at a prom.

A select group of contestants though, did manage to present red carpet looks suitable for the most elegant and classy events.

We are presenting to you the five gown looks that we consider pushed the envelope in the right direction during the Preliminary competition of the latest Miss Universe pageant.

In third place we have:

MISS JAMAICA

Isabel Dalley, the second Caribbean queen to make our list, is truly a Lady in Red in this exquisite creation, complemented by the ideal hairstyle and accessorised with suitable earrings and footwear.

How would we improve on this look?

The feathers are really not needed and diminish the elegance.

MASTERCLASS: The Fifth Best Gown Look of the 65th Miss Universe Pageant’s Preliminary Competition

When the Miss Universe Organization was bought by Donald Trump the late Nineties, the Miss Universe pageant went through a self-described Redefinition. One can say that the recently concluded 65th edition of the pageant, now under ownership of WME/IMG, was another rebranding.

What defies redefinition however, are the gowns worn by the contestants in the competition. One could imagine that the Miss Universe stage would be the perfect showcase for elegant and fashion forward creations by up and coming talent from around the world. Yet every year, and this year again, the majority of contestants wears dresses that you would only see in a pageant or at a prom.

Still there are some contestants who manage to present red carpet looks suitable for the most elegant and classy events.

We will present to you the five gown looks that we consider to have pushed the envelope in the right direction during the Preliminary competition of the latest Miss Universe pageant.

Starting in 5th Place:

MISS USA

Deshauna Barber wore a gown of very simple design made eye-catching by the beauty of the material used. The colour looks amazing on her and the classic styling, without much embellishment, completes a look of understated elegance.

How would we have improved on this look?

The matching earrings are too obviously costume jewellery and cheapen the overall result. These earrings, although also costume, are of a richer appearance and would complement the gown beautifully.

Styling Perfection

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Anna Burdzy, First Runner-up Miss Universe Great Britain 2014, gives a Master Class in evening gown styling. From the flawless make-up to the perfect accessorising. Most notable is the perfect hairstyle to highlight one of the most beautiful features of a woman, her neck.

Too often we see beauty queens covering their necks with hair, necklaces and gown necks, absolutely not the way to go for evening gown.

Anna, we commend you for your styling perfection.