Pageant Minute: Miss Universe 2011 National Costumes--Latin America!!!

Viva Las Latinas!!!

Miss Colombia Universe 2011 Catalina Robayo: I highlighted this costume of Catalina's in my "What Will the Miss Universe 2011 Contestants Wear as their National Costumes" last month before they even arrived in São Paulo. I thought it was FABULOUS then and I love still now!! Taking the striped sombrero vueltiao and creating a fantastic costume out of it: Genius!!!

Miss Mexico Universe 2011 Karin Ontiveros: Her colorful costume looked like a Colonial Sequined Diva celebrating El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The colors are outstanding; I love the feathers, the fit-to-flare fuchsia paillette gown, the eery skull mask, all topped off with a late 19th Century/early 20th Century wide-brimmed hat. It's like she's ready for the Races in a Mexico City Country Club--and later a Day of The Dead Party!!!

Miss Nicaragua Universe 2011 Adriana Dorn: You gotta hand it to the Latinas--they do not skimp on their national costumes!!! Adriana looks very festive in this blue & white (colors of the flag of Nicaragua, of course) costume featuring multi-colored ribbons and bows as well as tassels. She also has this Chiquita Banana aspect which naturally, I adore!!!

Miss Venezuela Universe 2011 Vanessa Goncalves: As I described it in my "Miss Universe 2011 Preview of National Costumes" post last month, this costume was inspired by "Diosa Yara" María Lionza --or Goddess Yara, who guards and protects the jungle; represents religious mysticism and the strained ecology of Planet Earth. Designed by Venezuelan designer from the State of Zulia, Nidal Nouaihed. From head to toe, it is perfection!!!

Miss Chile Universe 2011 Vanessa Ceruti: Yes, kids, her costume represents the Chilean Miners. Well, the sexy I-am-about-to-do-a-Strip-Show-200-feet-below version... Enough said!

Miss Bolivia Universe 2011 Olivia Pinheiro: I have a feeling that these South American beauties had to "step it up", just a little bit, when it came to their "National Costumes" since...HELLO, they were in BRAZIL, the Home of over-the-top Carnival Fabulocity!!! Miss Bolivia is no exception. This winged, feathered and be-jewelled Fantasy Bird-like Creature/Mythical Indian God combination of a costume is a show-stopper. Bolivia is famous for the pollera and bowler hat costume that the indigenous women in Bolivia wear, so it's nice to see a different representation for this Andean South American nation.

Miss Ecuador Universe 2011 Claudia Schiess: Another South American who went the "Fantasy Indian Goddess" route is Miss Ecuador. This costume is truly one of the most imaginative and eye-catching of the bunch (and trust me, there were A LOT!). Ecuador is famous for it's BANANAS...so I'm just glad she didn't come as one for her Miss Universe 2011 National Costume!

Miss Brazil Universe 2011 Priscila Machado: Finally, the "hometown girl", Miss Brazil in her "Carnival in Brazil" costume. The feathers in the colors of the national flag, the silver crown, silver sequined bra-top, bottom, THOSE silver stiletto boots!!!! She's very "Vintage 1975 Carnival in Rio". Being that the Miss Universe 2011 Pageant is in her home country, I'm a bit surprised the costume wasn't even more GRAND and more OUT of Control...or that she wasn't flanked by four HOT barely-dressed Brazilian boys next to her!!!

Miss Universe 2010 National Costume Parade of Nations Event: Nick Verreos Sizes Them Up!

Costume Drag Pageant Fashion Show!!!

Golden Eagle: Miss USA Rima Fakih plays homage to the Eagle in a costume made by the same Costume House who creates the Victoria's Secret "Wings"

This last Monday , the Miss Universe 2010 National Costume Show and Photo Op occurred at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Resort in Las Vegas Nevada. In the past, this portion of the pageant has been reserved for a grand "Competition" where experts judged the Best Costumes and gave out a prize. This never reflected or gave "added extra points" to the contestants in terms of vying for the crown; it was just for show and fun--and national pride.

Aussie Drag: Uggs, Sheepskin, and lots of leg on Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell

This year, it was done at the Hotel where the pageant is taking place and in a more informal basis; there was no "Best Costume Contest". But that doesn't mean I can't give my "Nick Verreos Costume Two Cents"...

Flora and Fauna Latina: Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Vicente shows off MORE than her leaves

I spoke last week about what we "might see" in terms of National Costumes from the 83 beauties in competition for the coveted Miss Universe 2010 crown. And yes, all those "Web Previews" giving hints of some of the CRAZEEE costumes that the ladies were going to bring...came true!

Miss Belgium Cilou Annys did end up wearing her "Tennis Ensemble" as I predicted (Is Tennis HUGE in Belgium?)...

And Miss Venezuela, Marelisa Gibson, wore her Oversized Swarovski mirrored crystal-encrusted jumpsuit inspired by the Abra Solar public sculpture located in her homeland

Miss Japan, Maiko Itai WORKED IT overtime, with her Geisha Barbie Doll-like Queen Costume, which included an over-sized fan (I need one of those!)--she definitely gets high points for "Best Costume" from moi...Speaking of Oversized:

Take a look at Miss Kazakhstan, Assel Kuchokova's traditional costume--and especially that headdress! I think she's not far behind Miss Japan in the "Girl You Worked It Out!" Best Costume Category

Also going "somewhat" traditional is Miss Philippines (a favorite for the crown), Venus Raj (love that name!) in her Manton de Manila-inspired costume...

I also loved Miss Switzerland, Linda Fah Warrior Princess Costume, especially that over-sized shield! Just wondering what the "Swiss Warrior Princess" would be protecting: Sketchy Tax-Free Multi-Billionaire Bank Accounts?

On the "Oh No You Didn't Corner", we have Miss Guyana, Tamika Henry. Either the Miss Guyana Organization had NO BUDGET to outfit her with a costume, or she just felt inspired to be a Hoochie Cougar From the Guyana Jungle. Great body. Wrong Costume.

Finally, the Sympathy Award for Best Costume goes to Miss Haiti, Sarodj Bertin and her very symbolic "Ode To Haiti" costume, featuring the national flag, photos and red roses. I'm sure when she stepped out the crowd went into a mutual "Awwwwwww!!!!!" and standing ovation! How do you say "You Go Girl!" en Creole?