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Miss Universe Pageant Puts Costumes and Gowns on Display

comments (9) August 24th, 2009     

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_nikki_ Nicole Smith, contributor
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Miss Universe, the lovely Miss Venezuela  
Miss Bahamas,Kiara Sherman
Miss China, Jingyao Wang
Miss Universe, the lovely Miss Venezuela  

Miss Universe, the lovely Miss Venezuela  

Photo: SeattlePI
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Last night the 2009 Miss Universe pageant was broadcast worldwide from the Bahamas. In the end, Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, walked away victorious in a red embellished gown. The 18-year-old looked stunning, although I think this might have been the first year that Miss Universe actually dropped her crown onto the ground in excitement.

There were the expected pageant gowns and swimsuits of course, however this year they decided to spice things up a bit by making all of the contestants dress up in costumes representative of their homeland. Some of the costumes were glamorous, some were theatrically amazing, and some were downright comical. Take a look below to see just a few of the more than 80 costumes that strutted the stage last night:

Front view
Left: Miss Universe Winner Miss Venezuela. I'm not quite sure what My Fair Lady has to do with Venezuela, but it looks like they took a cue from both Britney Spears's Toxic video (possibly NSFW) and Audrey Hepburn to come up with this stunning number. Right: Miss Bahamas, Kiara Sherma, looking like she's ready for Carnival.
Front view Back view
LEFT: Miss Finland, Essi Poyasti, in a dress made from a vintage Marimekko print. RIGHT: Miss Germany, Martina Lee, dressed as the Brandenburg Gate.
Front view Back view
LEFT: Miss Guyana, Jenel Cox, looking very much like Poison Ivy from Batman. RIGHT: Miss Bolivia, Dominique Peltier. Just in case you missed the banner hanging from her arm that says "Bolivia," her hat reminds you exactly where she's from too...in rainbow letters and about 50 pounds of feathers.
Front view Back view
LEFT: Miss El Salvador, Mayella Mena, looking rather unsure about her peacock ensemble. This is already giving me nightmares about falling on my face. RIGHT: Miss Namibia, Happie Ntelamo.
Front view Back bustle detail
LEFT: Miss Panama, Diana Broce, in a Carnival outfit fit for Halloween. RIGHT: Off with her head! It's Miss Great Britain, Clair Cooper, in a Union-Jack inspired royal gown.

Jacket sleeve detail
 Sleeve detail
LEFT: Miss China, Jingyao Wang. RIGHT: Miss Japan, Emiri Miyasaka. This outfit caused quite a stir when it was initially revealed with matching hot pink panties, stockings and a garter belt. It was toned down for the pageant after the judges complained.

 
Sleeve detail
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LEFT: Miss New Zealand, Katie Taylor, dressed as a bird maybe? RIGHT: Miss Peru, Karen Schwarz. Ms. Scharz caused an international riff with Bolivia because of this tribal outfit. The Bolivian cultural minister has threatened to sue in an international court because the "Devil's Dance" represents part of Bolivia's national heritage. Hopefully this didn't cause too many catfights backstage...

 
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LEFT: Miss Russia, Sofia Rudyeva in a military-inspired dress. RIGHT: Miss Singapore, Rachel Kum, in a gown inspired by an orchid.

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LEFT: Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej. RIGHT: Miss Ukraine, Kristina Kots-Gotlib, looking very much like the Ice Queen.
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LEFT: Miss USA, Kristen Dalton. Not quite the look I personally would have gone for, but I guess I should be thankful she wasn't dressed as the Statue of Liberty. RIGHT: Miss Vietnam, Yen Vo.
posted in: sewstylish feature, costumes, miss universe
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Comments (9)

Craig27Jannie writes: I think that to receive the home loans from creditors you ought to have a firm motivation. But, one time I have got a bank loan, because I wanted to buy a bike.
Posted: 8:23 pm on June 22nd
_nikki_ writes: Elephile: Thanks for the reference on the Russian costume! It's hard to figure some of them out if you don't already know that country's history.
Posted: 2:48 pm on August 27th
churunga writes: I really enjoyed the Oriental and South American costumes with their sense of culture. The African costumes, I thought, evoked a tribal history. Great Britain's costume was a perfect representation of what we all associate that country with. Miss Ukraine's was the most beautiful in this selection. I agree that the designers really messed up with the USA costume. I am not a fan of NASCAR and I do not feel that past time represents our nation well. Better to have the Golden Gate Bridge across her hips or the St Louis Arc over her head than the trailer trash outfit she was wearing.
Posted: 2:44 pm on August 27th
danYellb0t writes: This is very inspiring. I have always thought of the profession of costume designer and all the elaborate ideas are able to come to life within that career. I hope the comment about 'rather wear the outfit from Peru' was a positive one because then I would completely agree with you. The intricate pattern and multiple textured pieced outfit is beautiful and it gives off the feeling of true pride. That goes for many of the other outfits as well. Except for USA. Geez.
Posted: 1:44 am on August 27th
sewinl0ve writes: I am thoroughly embarrassed to be a US citizen right now... WHAT IS THAT?? Every other coutry looks so elegant and beautiful - leave it to the USA to go mess it up by allowing that trashy ensemble. Whoever designed that nightmare needs to be deported fast! I would take Miss Peru's outfit over America's. Yuck!
Posted: 10:25 pm on August 26th
elephile writes: Miss Russia's uniform is actually a reference to Tsar Nikolai II, the last tsar of Russia. He was often seen in public wearing a white military-style jacket with gold spaghetti.

The skirt may be a reference to the china teacups which are sometimes used for tea (when they don't use glasses with metal holders).
Posted: 4:23 pm on August 26th
jestersmother writes: I was hoping to see this somewhere. I didn't get to see all the country. so inspiring to see the great craftsmanship. Bravo designers.
Posted: 9:46 pm on August 24th
sxydeeny writes: Love the descriptions in this article. The pictures, ladies and costumes are gorgeous.
Posted: 2:39 pm on August 24th
Sybilkat writes: I thought Miss Kosovo looked very simialr to Audrey Hepburn. Especially in the evening gown competition. Her bone structure is amazing.
Posted: 12:14 pm on August 24th
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