Pageant Minute: Miss Universe 2011--The HOT MESSES of the "Evening Gown Portraits" !!

Mija...Tacky Black Pumps, Mother-of-the-Bride Hairdo's, Slits up to the Cha-Cha, Dominatrix Stiletto Platforms...The Miss Universe 2011 Official Evening Gown Portrait No-No's:

A Wrist/Cuff Train Holder??? Uh...NO!!! See where this lovely "HOT MESS" ended up on my "Put That Dress Back on The Rack" List...

As you may know--from keeping up with my nickverreos.com blog here--I am in "Pageant Mode", since the Miss Universe 2011 competition is coming up in a few weeks, and the much-anticipated "Evening Gown Portraits" were released over the weekend on the Miss Universe website. In my last two posts, I began with my "Best" from those photos and the gowns the international ladies chose. But of course, now I must discuss THE HOT MESSES as much as I don't like to do it. As a Fashion Designer who's expertise is in designing evening gowns and red carpet dresses, I do it more to help, and "style-advise" my lovely beauty pageant gals as to what they shouldn't be sportin' in the evening category. Now, remember these may or may not be the gowns these lovely women wear in the Final Telecast (for their sake, I HOPE NOT!!!) but still, I must discuss...



Here's my "Put That Gown Back On The Rack" List:



Miss Mexico Universe 2011 Karin Ontiveros: There's A LOT riding on Karin. Last year's Miss Universe, Ximena Navarette is from Mexico and did EVERYTHING right in 2010--including choosing the right gown. I'm not sure if Karin chose correctly here. It's just a bit "off". A two-piece purple strapless peplum'ed bustier with over-sized flower detail--and a gold lame skirt. If she were hosting a minor award show in Mexico City that her abuelita would be attending: Maybe. But not for the Miss Universe Pageant. Her hair and make-up look great though--very Selena Gomez.



Miss India Universe 2011 Vasuki Sunkavalli: I expect a lot from those stunning--and very stylist Miss India's. However, at least for the choice of this gown and styling: Not so much-ey. It looks like a gown I would have designed and made TEN years ago (I think I actually did!) But what bothers me most are the BIG BLACK PUMPS! Whyyyyyyy? It makes no sense. Didn't she bring some metallic strappy heels (EVERY pageant girls needs to have at least THREE pairs!) or nude ones. The whole look wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for those BLACK PUMPS!



Miss Finland Universe 2011 Pia Pakarinen: OK, she's just GORGEOUS. Doll-like. She'll be in the Top 15 just for that beautiful face! Leave it to those Scandinavians to produce beauties like her! Something about the fish, the vodka and the cold weather I guess. But I am not a fan of her gown choice here. It's very "Bridesmaid", especially the light pastel color. And, what is up with THAT 4 inches too short length?



Miss Hungary Universe 2011 Betta Lipcsei: Well, basically all I have to say is that's just a whole lot of tiered ruffles! Is she a background player at a Budapest performance of "Bizet's Carmen"? It's very "Cha-Cha" and I do LOVE Cha-Cha, but not for this. I say try again and maybe with not so many tiers of ruffles--a "Mermaid"-style gown skirt would have been better.



Miss Georgia Universe 2011 Eka Gurtskaia: Look at what we've got here--It's a MINI...No, wait, it's long. No, it's a Mini. No wait, It's BOTH: A Mini dress with a fitted chiffon long skirt overlay...with a silver metallic bodice midriff. Here's the thing: It's WRONG and a little trashy. If it would have been lined all the way to the floor (as opposed to a mini way too close to her nether-regions) it actually could have been nice.



Miss Brazil Universe 2011 Priscilla Machado: A lot is also riding on Priscilla. She's the "home-country" girl. The Miss Universe Pageant is--after all--taking place in Brazil! I am disappointed in this gown choice. It's the kind of pageant dress that ends up on the Sale Rack at a local Prom/Bridal Boutique! And, why did she allow herself to get a big poufy 54-year-old Housewife Hair-DON'T? Here's a suggestion Priscilla: Go to Miss Venezuela or Miss Puerto Rico's Hotel Room and closets, take one of their gowns...and you'll be "good as new"! They'll never know the gowns are missing.



Miss Montenegro Universe 2011 Nikolina Loncar: OK, I LOVE her first name--NIKOLINA!! But this dress!!! Please tell me her ruched poly chiffon one-shoulder dress does NOT have a Cuff Train Holder? Those three words: Cuff, Train, Holder...I NEVER wanna see together again. And on her feet: The black pumps that DON'T MATCH at all! Chinese Laundry (Miss Universe Shoe Sponsor): We need some silver/metallic strappy heels ASAP!



Miss Belgium Universe 2011 Justine De Jonckheere: Oh huney, there are TOO many things going on with this dress: It's a one-shoulder..but then it's not; then there's a Blouson sleeve for no apparent reason; then straps connecting the midriff-waist; a high side slit. It's a little "Belly-Dancer"-ish. To finish it all off, she adds (because she feels it's sooooo necessary!) a tacky necklace, a cuff, PLUS the bouffant hair. She's such a cute girl. Why? Strip her of EVERYTHING and put her in a simple strapless sequined column gown. Done and done!



Miss Guatemala Universe 2011 Alejandra Barillas: But, I will save the Best "Hot Mess" for last. This is A LOT of Gown: The Football Quarterback-sized sequined shoulder caplet (I know that Strong Shoulders are "In" but this is taking it to a WHOLE other level!), the high slit (of course), PLUS the too-long train (for no reason) and then (Drum Roll!!), THOSE Stiletto Platform Dominatrix pumps!? Here's a positive: This ensemble would be FABULOSO on a Drag Queen for "Joan Crawford Meets Joan Collins Night" at a bar in West Hollywood. Remove the Over-sized Shoulder-Padded Caplet, cut 20 inches off that train and get her some peep-toe nude pumps (with NO PLATFORM!) and she'll be "back in the game"!



*Next Up: The Strippers Of The Universe!!!!! Yes, kids, What Miss Universe 2011 Contestants decided they would be Strippers for their Evening Gown Portraits? Find out in the next post!

Miss USA 2011: And The Winner Is...And My Recap of the Miss USA 2011 Final Telecast Evening Gowns!!

Cali Cali Cali Wins!!

Poison Ivy: Miss California USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella waives to the audience seconds after being crowned Miss USA 2011

Last night was the Live Telecast of the Miss USA 2011 Pageant. It was held at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theater for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. Being that it was the 60th anniversary (yep, SIXTY years kids!) , they invited many past titleholders, including my good friend Brook Lee, who not only was "Miss USA" but also "Miss Universe" (the last Miss USA to win that coveted title).

Brook Lee , Miss Universe 1997, wearing a NIKOLAKI by Nick Verreos/David Paul design

They showed them in the audience sitting down but I really thought they should have been introduced onstage flanking last year's Miss USA Rima Fakih, it seemed like a missed opportunity--but that's neither here nor there, as they say; I just wanted to get that off my fashionable chest! Now, sit down, grab a cup of coffee (or red wine!) and let's get to the actual Winner, the finalists, THE GOWNS:

The Fiercest Four: Miss California USA, Miss Tennessee USA, Miss Texas USA and Miss Alabama USA

After the Introduction of the 51 contestants, the field was narrowed down to the Top 15 plus one voted on by the web-savy public. After Swimsuits, they were narrowed down again to the Top 8 and then the Four Finalists. It was all done very "American Idol"-esque and actually quite nail-biting (Good job producers!).

Miss California USA Alyssa Campanella--who hails from New Jersey originally and was a Miss Teen New Jersey USA 2007 (in THE SAME pageant as Miss Teen South Carolina Caitlin Upton of "World's Dumbest Answer" fame), won the title of Miss USA 2011 and the coveted spot to attend the Miss Universe Pageant in Sao Paulo Brazil. She was one of my Top Picks in terms of being A)Gorgeous and B) One of the best models and runway walkers of the bunch. So I knew she'd go far.

The Gown: Miss California USA (and now Miss USA 2011) gown from Miss Universe Org. Pageant Sponsor and Prom-and-Pageant Gown Brand, Sherri Hill

In one of my previous posts, I was a bit "disappointed" in her gown choice (a Sherri Hill creation, see above) in that I felt it was A LOT of Gown for her and just "typical" to put a red head into a green gown, but....she still won, so tells you how much I know! I do admit that last night, onstage she WORKED it--and the Gown fit her to a "T". Congrats to Alyssa and the Miss California USA team!

Miss Tennessee USA Ashley Elizabeth Durham: Ashley garnered the 1st Runner Up Title. She was so pretty but again I wasn't a fan of the gown. I liked the fabrication but OH THAT SLIT! And how the inner lining-dress stops 1/2 inch below her crotch... Huney! She also misunderstood her Final Question and answered a bit confusingly. But yet again, she almost won!


Miss Alabama USA Madeline Mitchell: Madeline received the 2nd Runner Up Title and (sorry to be a "Gown Grump") but I just wasn't a fan of this dress: The Slit was way too high, then it was also backless and then , she had a PLUNGING Sweetheart neckline...It was like "let's throw EVERY Pageant Gown Trick in the Book!". Here are the positives though: The gown was PAINTED on her; it fit her perfectly!

She looked almost regal and certainly did not look like "Just another Southern Belle from Alabama" but more like some South American Goddess!! Her face, stature and even up-do hair reminded me A LOT of Miss Universe 1979, the GORGEOUS Maritza Sayalero, from Venezuela (above).

Miss Texas Ana Cristina Rodriguez: I really thought Ana was going to win. It seemed as such, the entire time I was watching the show last night. She answered the "Weiner" question very well (or at least I thought so) and it seemed like the crown was hers but then...3rd Runner Up! There was an audible gasp in the audience as even host Giuliana Rancic said uncomfortably "Oh, I guess Texas has a lot of fans here!!!" And BTW: Her strapless-and-asymmetrical ivory crepe gown was sublime--LOVED it! This is how you show "hints" of skin but not so overtly. Big fan of this gown.

The Semi Finalists:

Miss Maryland USA Allyn Rose: Allyn was a Semi-Finialist at the Miss USA 2011 last night. Did not like this red off-the-shoulder gown. It was so "Dynasty" 1987. I was wondering if Alexis Carrington was going to come out from backstage and throw her in a Caesar's Palace Fountain pool!!!

Miss Hawaii USA Angela Byrd: Well, Thank Goodness for SOME diversity Judges! Angela was one of the Semi Finalists and within a SEA of Blonds, it was nice to see someone NOT blond. She was stunning but the gown was not-so-much. She completely LOST me the minute I saw iridescent poly organza fabric: Not a fan. And the bust section was far too big and structured for her. Again it's 2011 not 1956.

Miss Maine USA Ashley-Lynn Marble: This was a surprise to me since I said she looked like Cruella de Vil in her "Miss USA 2011 Official Evening Gown Portrait". But she was STUNNING last night; statuesque, amazonian-like! She did, however, wear the same gown as in her Portrait and Preliminary Competition and the halter side-beaded style just seemed old and dated. She needed to be a head-to-toe silver beaded siren gown. Done and Done. Ice Queen anyone?

Miss South Carolina USA Courtney Hope Turner: Finally, you can read HERE what I originally said about Courtney and her red ruffled "Cha-Cha" gown back in the Preliminary Competition...

Congrats to Alyssa Campanella, the new Miss USA 2011---And now...go find a FABULOUS gown for Miss Universe!!!!

Click Below for the Evening Gown Portion of the Competition:

MISS USA 2011: The Preliminary Evening Gown Competition "Me No Likey" & "On The Fence"...

Oh Ladies Ladies Ladies...The Multi-Slits, The Feathers, The Cheap Polyester! Will They Ever Learn??

As you may have read in my previous post, the Miss USA 2011 Pageant is taking place in Las Vegas and late last week was the very important Preliminary Competition--where a "separate panel of judges" decide on who will make it to the Finals during Sunday Night's Live telecast. I gave my "Nick V. Two Cents" on my Favorite Picks from the Preliminary Evening Gown Competition. Some ladies decided to change the gowns they wore on their "Official Gown Portraits" and some, decided to stay the same--some for the better and some, not-so-much.
Here are my Picks for the "No-So-Likey" bunch:

With Strap...

Without...

Miss Delaware USA: Katie Hanson Miss Delaware USA made my previous list of "Not So Likey" from the "Official Evening Gown Portraits" as you can see above (bottom photo), it was a Hodge-podge of a Dress: It was strapless and didn't fit her well (her "sistahs" were too big for that type of dress), the feathers, the shirring, the cheap poly satin...Well, for the Preliminaries, she ADDED Straps!!! (Points for that!) so at least the gown stayed up and there would be no chance for any "spillage" and it did look better on stage. But it's still the same dress! Not So Likey.

Miss Pennsylvania USA: The GORGEOUS Amber-Joi Watkins looks very "Dancing With The Stars" in this mint-green satin-and-sequins floor-sweeping of a gown. At first glance, I was like "well, it's OK..." but then...

GURL!! TWO SLITS?? It's a "Car Wash Gown"! Not only does she look like a contestant on "Dancing With The Stars" but that dress can also WASH my brand new car as well!! And not to mention the fact that she HAD to take the look even further by wearing not ONE but TWO matching crystal bracelets--on each wrist, plus a big ol' ring, plus those earrings!!! And big stacked nude PUMPS just really didn't go with this kind of a dress. Chalk it up to bad, ill-advised styling.

Miss Tennessee USA: Ashley Elizabeth Durham is sooooo pretty--or shall I say "puurrteee" (in my best Southern accent). Here are the positives: I actually like the jeweled-and-all over sequin fabric. I just think she A) Didn't need the slit and B) She DEFINITELY should have not had the lining stop 1/2 inch below her crotch! The gown should have been covered with no slit and fully lined. And that's that! Then it would have been an actually nice Red Carpet-style gown. But this dress as it is--well, all I can focus on is THAT crotch area.

Miss Wyoming USA: No. No. And No. Kaytlin Davis Miss Wyoming USA wore this lavender sequin and-satin gown to the Preliminary Competition. I like the color (get the positive out of the way!) but...the style is literally straight out of a "Beauty Pageant 101 Catalog" from 1987. Seriously, when is the last time you saw a top actress or celeb on the Red Carpet of an award show, movie premiere, gala, in THIS kind of a dress? Let me answer you: NEVER! Then why would you wear this to the Miss USA 2011 Evening Gown Competition? This is a dress that a "Housewife of New Jersey" finds at her local Consignment Store for a steal of $50 for her cousin's wedding.

Most Disappointing Award Goes To...

Miss California USA Alyssa Campanella is one of the best, if not THE BEST models in the group and she can carry off almost anything she wears. This dress is just so predictable. A red head in a green dress...everything about it is so "Pageant Betty". And part of me thinks that it didn't need the sequined section IN ADDITION to the strong architectural solid fabrication. I would have just let the gown be all the same ONE fabric with maybe "hints" of sequins. With such a strong contestant like Alyssa, I wish they would have given her something a bit more daring and edgy. Go to famed Venezuelan Pageant Designer Gionni Straccia; he would know what to put her in!!

I'm On The Fence About...

Miss Alabama USA Madeline Mitchell: The overall look is very impacting, the pose is FAB, the hair is good, the gown is also good. It's just I wish the style was more, well, up to date with 2011. It's like I've seen this gown back in 1992. The off-the-shoulder, the key-hole "sweetheart" neckline, the slit...

She looks very Michelle McLean Miss Universe 1992 (above pics). That's Nineteen Ninety Two!!!!

Miss Florida USA: Lissette Garcia is WORKING IT overtime...with this gown. This is why I am "on the fence". I'm loving the mirrored jeweled detail at the torso section of the gown but then it goes into "I'm a Basketball Wife-former-Stripper" mode from then on. If only, (here we go again) maybe the slit wasn't so high--or if it wasn't even there! Although Lissette is of Cuban descent (she represented Cuba in "Reina Hispanoamerica 2007"), she still does give me "Miss Dominican Republic"-fierceness and I give her points for that!

Miss South Carolina: Finally, my last "On The Fence" is the lovely Courtney Hope Turner. Lipstick red, princess-seamed fitted satin gown...and THOSE Volants--or Ruffles for the Gringos...It's very Oscar de la Renta, very Cha-Cha. And I like those two things. But is this the right gown for her? I think it might be the cheap satin fabrication that bothers me. I don't know, I'm asking my readers here? What do you think? I do LOVE those earrings though! I think my mommy had earrings like that and I even think they were actual Rubies--must ask her where those are...

Miss USA 2011: The Preliminary Evening Gown Competition: My Faves...and Most Improved Award Goes To...

Best Gowns...

Miss New York USA: WOOOORK IT Huney! Miss New York USA 2011 Amber Marie Collins is one of my faves,; loved her gown in the official portraits and she (wisely) chose to not change it. It's an ivory crepe gown by Venezuelan Fashion Designer Gionni Straccia, famous for designing the gowns for many a Miss Universe winner from his home country--as well as Univision's "Nuestra Belleza" finalists.


The Miss USA 2011 Preliminary Competition occurred two days ago. The Preliminaries are where the Top Semi-Finalists are chosen by a panel of judges (separate to the Live telecast "celebrity judges") who will then be announced on Sunday night in the Final Miss USA 2011 telecast (on NBC naturally!). The Preliminary Competition involves both Swimsuit and Evening Gown. Well, of course, what I am interested in here is THE Evening Gown Competition! Some contestants kept the same gown they wore for the "Official Miss USA 2011 Website Portraits" and some, changed of course ( I told ya!). After seeing pics of the Miss USA 2011 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition, I decided on which ones were my favorites. I will--of course--discuss my "Ooooh GURL, Really?" pics on a later post--but for now--I'll be "Nicey Nick" :)

Miss New Jersey USA: Julianna White Miss New Jersey USA, also decided not to change from her "Miss USA 2011 Website Official Portrait Gown", and wore the same bubblegum pink strapless gown with a jeweled encrusted waistline, which I loved before. It's also (like Miss New York USA) a gown designed by Venezuelan Designer Gionni Straccia. I'm so glad that these US pageant Directors got some sense in them and knew who to turn to when it came to gowns! Hope Straccia is charging them all the thousands of dollar these gowns are worth!!! Because they are worth it--Simply Gorgeous.

Miss Connecticut USA: Well, since we are on a Gionni Straccia roll, here is another gown by that designer. It was worn by Miss Connecticut USA , Regina Turner. I liked it's "Armani Prive"-esque laminated fabrication back when I reviewed those "Miss USA 2011 Portrait Evening Gown" photos and I still like it now. The earrings might be a bit much, especially with her "free-flowing" hairstyle. Leave that to the "South-of-the-Border" girls huney...

Miss Missouri USA: I kinda liked Miss Missouri USA's Hope Driskall white off the shoulder gown. The top section with its sequins and torso shirring is actually rather elegant and really shows off a FAB--and very important-- "Three Quarter" shot. But , on the other hand I have to admit, that I am not a fan of the rest of the gown. It could have just been a simple and elegant no applique silk crepe. The top section was ENOUGH. Speaking of the top section...

It was SOOOO...Alicia Machado Miss Universe 1996. Just sayin'

Miss Michigan USA: One of my top picks to win it all, Miss Michigan USA Channing Pierce wore an exquisite strapless and Empire-waist black and sequin gown for the Miss USA 2011 Preliminary Evening Gown Competition.

It was a bit better than the animal print-and-black lace "Roberto Cavalli"-esque lingerie thang she wore to the "Official Evening Gown Portrait" (above photo).

Miss Louisiana USA: When I first saw Miss Louisiana USA Page Pennock's gown, I was thrown back a bit. It was COVERED (well at least in the front) and (GASP!) there was NO SLIT (!!). Someone had to pick me up as I almost fell on the floor!!! I think this is a modern directional, and very "Red Carpet" worthy dress. Simple Ivory Jersey. It fits her well and again, I'm loving that she doesn't look like a 45-year-old "Real Housewives of the OC"/Stripper!! Thank you Page!!!

Miss Texas USA: Another Favorite (not sure why almost all my faves are wearing white evening gowns!) was Miss Texas USA Ana Christina Rodriguez. She decided to wear a strapless ivory/white gown, asymmetrically cut to expose a feathered "under" gown. Excuse me for admitting this but: I loved it! I also loved those drop earrings and peep-toe pumps as well. Definitely one of my Top Evening Gowns.

The Higher The Hair/Closer To God Award Goes To...

Miss Alaska USA: While her gold and ivory jacquard one-shoulder gown is just "OK" for me, that big hair BUMP Bouffant on Jessica Chuckran Miss Alaska USA is OUT OF CONTROL!!!! SNOOKI Hair COUTURE on a whole other level! I say "You Go Girl!"

And The Award For Most Improved Goes To...(Drum Roll Please):

Miss Nevada USA: Yes kids, someone done did an Evening Gown Change for the Preliminary Competition and it was WAAAY for the better! Miss Nevada USA 2011 Sarah Chapman wore a "La Cage Aux Folles" Drag Queen/Gay Pride Parade of a Gown for the "Miss USA 2011 Website Evening Gown Official Portrait" but...she was well advised to NOT have worn that to the Preliminaries. She looked AMAZING in a nude/blush-colored sequined gown which, well, made her looked like the Va-Va Boom woman that she is! So, for that, she gets my "Nick Verreos Miss USA 2011 Evening Gown Most Improved" Award. Congratulations Miss Nevada USA 2011--and Good Luck to the rest of the ladies...

Next Up: The Not So Good Evening Gowns form the Miss USA 2011 Preliminary Competition...