Nick Verreos "Pageant Talk": The Miss California USA 2010 Edition

Sashes, a NIKOLAKI Gown, and Michael Phelps?
Crowning Moment: Miss CA USA 2010 with Rita Verreos (my sister) in a Nikolaki gown, handing the bouquet

A couple of months back, in November, the Miss California USA 2010 Pageant took place. Keith Lewis, its director, asked me to be a judge but unfortunately "duty calls" and I had to fly to Miami to film one of my Sears Holiday Gift segments for Despierta America. But my sister, the lovely Rita Verreos was there. Meagan Tandy, Miss CA USA 2007 and Rita Verreos at the recent Miss CA USA 2010 festivities

My sister, who was a former Miss Venezuela contestant "back in the day"--is now a very sought after Pageant Coach. She has helped many a hopeful Miss California USA contestant to walk, talk and act like she already has the crown on her head. This year, the pageant was held in Rancho Mirage at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. Of course , the Miss California USA Organization and Keith Lewis have been in the news as of late because of all the events surrounding Carrie Prejean, her eventual dethronement, and all the subsequent backlash. So, more than ever, a lot of people's eyes were on this pageant.Crownin' and Sashin': Rita Verreos, in ivory Nikolaki gown, stands onstage at the Miss CA USA 2010 PageantBack View: Rita Verreos in Nikolaki gown, Miss California USA 2010 Pageant

For the pageant, my sister wore one of my NIKOLAKI gowns of course--an ivory silk crepe column gown with a draped bust and embroidered back which I designed years ago ("vintage" Nick Verreos). Nicole Johnson, Miss California USA 2010

The winner of the Miss California USA 2010 Pageant was a 24 year old from Ventura County named Nicole Johnson. She's very pretty and has a resemblance to singer Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls. She does come with a bit of gossip as well (it wouldn't be Miss California USA without it!): She used to date Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. I'm sure this little bit of dish might bring some added attention to her when she goes to Las Vegas for the 2010 Miss USA Pageant in April. Or maybe not. My pageant spies told me that the actual crowd favorite was former UCLA Bruin Women's Volleyball player, six foot one inch tall Nana Meriwether who represented Beverly Hills. And the Winner Is: First Runner Up Nana Meriwether (left) and Miss CA USA 2010, Nicole Johnson (right)

The "pageant talk" was that Nana had everything: The stunning all-over beaded open-back gown, the poise, the DIVA walk. Who knows why she didn't get the top crown? Maybe next year she will be the winner (they can try again and again in the Miss CA USA rules). Speaking of gowns, from what I can see in the photos, they looked quite nice. At least there weren't too many clear stripper heels and I-just-bought-this-in-Santee Alley Downtown LA dresses.
Except... Ironically enough, the winner's dress was, to put it nicely, not so good, if not the worst. From looking at these photos (see close-up above) and from reading the blogs of guests who were there, Nicole's burnt orange/red halter gown looked ill-fitting and a bit on the cheap side. Maybe for the Miss USA 2010 Pageant, she'll give this one to "Pageant Goodwill" and her First-Runner Up, Nana Meriwether, will let her borrow hers.

Good Luck to Nicole and the rest of Keith's Miss CA gals!
*A Special 'Thank You' to Husam Abedaker for some of the photos used here.

Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe 2009: Red Carpet Fashion Year In Review

Universal Fashion Doll:

If you've been keeping up with the Pageant World (and I have of course!) you might remember that early this year, in the Bahamas Atlantis Resort, 19 year old Stefania Fernandez was crowned Miss Universe 2009. This was the second year in a row a woman from that country (where I was raised by the way) had won the coveted crown. She has since made many appearances, representing the Miss Universe Organization and on behalf of AIDS, a cause which the Donald Trump-owned organization supports. She's also been "out-and-about" at parties, events and many a fashion week shows. Stefania has become a little "fashion plate" in her own right. The Miss Universe Organization has their own stylist who works with their title holders providing designs to best "market" their girls in the public eye. Some are from the sponsors of the pageant and some are from the designers whose show she is attending (if it's during Fashion Week). Then after that, I'm sure the stylist goes shopping or may get dresses from various stores and designers from all over.

Here is my 2009 Year-In-Fashion-Review of Stefania Fernandez, Miss Universe '09...Some Good...
Monochromatic Queen: Here is Stefania in one of her most recent red carpet appearances, where she debuted her new above-the-shoulder hairstyle. I think she looks modern, fresh and less of the typical "Pageant Betty", more model-like/TV host. The monochromatic look works on her with the black dress layered over black stockings. I'm sure her Latino base of fans may not like the somberness and expect more brighter hues, but to me, she looks modern.
Best Dressed: Here-- at the recent Latin Grammys this month in Las Vegas-- she is in one of my favorite looks. The sand-colored shirred one-shoulder mini-dress looks fantastic. Her asymmetrical hair-bun compliments the overall look as well. The shoulder copper detail adds just the right amount of "bling". Trust me, looking at some of the crazy dresses our Latina sisters wore to the Latin Grammys, Stefania looked AMAZING!!!!Miss Spartacus: Another favorite is this black Grecian-inspired dress, which she wore to the Toni Maticevski NY Fashion Week Show. I am LIVING for the serious DIVA you-can't-touch-me look!Clean and Simple: Here she is at the Narciso Rodriguez NY Fashion Show in a pretty midnight blue fitted dress. She looks good, but I might have done without the pageant-esque Diamante earrings--not necessary for a dress with such clean lines. Fun and Flirty: At another NY Fashion Week event, she looked young and flirty in this ruffled charmeuse number. Cute and young--after all the girl is still only 19!!! I like it.After-Five Dept: And last, I'm on the fence on this violet ruched satin dress. It's very I-bought-it-at-the-"After-Five"-section-at-Macy's. Nothing against that section. But maybe for Miss Universe, you want to strive for "Milan" and not Going-to-a-wedding-in-Woodland Hills, California.

And the Maybe-Not's:Handkerchief No-No: When I saw this photo of the gorgeous Stefania, I went "Oh Dear!". She's at the Custo Barcelona NY Fashion Week Show, and I can only surmise that she's wearing Custo naturally. Another designer friend of mine said that she looked like one of the "Real Housewives from Orange County". And I kind of agree.Stefania and Designer Zang Toi: Zang Toi has provided many a dress or gown for past Miss Universes. Here she is with the designer posing the day of his NY Fashion Week Show. Toi is known for some over-the-top concoctions that border on top-of-a-wedding-cake so for him, the ensemble she was wearing was quite subdued. Maybe too much so. The black 3/4 coat and lace dress aged her. Leave that to her mother. Lace Overkill: Finally, Stefania made an appearance at a Mary McFadden Tribute Cocktail Reception this September at the Hotel Gansevoort where she wore a high-necked lace overlay dress. I actually like the high-neck style of the dress and the hair is perfect. Part of me wishes I had a pair of scissors to cut about 12 inches from the lace so it would match the inner lining hem.

Overall, the year was a fashion success for the newly crowned Miss Universe. So here's to a fashionable 2010 for the gorgeous Stefania! Buen provecho mi amor!

Update:
Here is video of Stefania's haircut and how the decision was made! Do you like the new style?!

Nick Verreos Fashion Pageant Gown Police

Rating the Gowns at the "World Designer Awards and Fashion Show" at Miss World 2009
The 59Th annual Miss World beauty pageant--the "biggest one of them all" , at least in amount of contestants: 112 !!! (Miss Universe had "only" 84)--is occurring in Johannesburg, South Africa. The final live telecast is not until December 12Th but already lots of pre-final events are happening as we speak (or as I type), including the Miss World Sports (who's the best in sports), Miss World Talent (who performs the best), Miss World Beach Beauty (who looks best in swimsuit) and Miss World Top Model (who best models on the runway). That is a lot of Pageant Craziness!!! In addition to these, there was also a World Dress Designer Fashion Show and Award which happened last week in Turbine Hall, Johannesburg. Miss Sierra Leone (and her gown) took the Grand Prize--followed by Miss South Africa and Miss Jamaica (see above). After looking at some of these gowns, you KNOW "Pageant Nicky" had to give his two cents:

The Winner (of the World Designer Award") was...
Miss Sierra Leone, with an interesting fitted gown which was one of my favorites. It fit beautifully, looked well-made, modern, elegant and had DRAMA. But yet, I couldn't help but think "Gosh, it reminds me so much of....Rami Kashou's gown from his Project Runway Finale Collection". It was very similar: The shape and especially, the ruffled shoulder Caplet piece. I'm not implying that it was a copy, I just found the similarities interesting. Miss Sierra Leone deserved the win and I thought it was a great dress.Now that wasn't the only similarity I noticed from the photos of this Miss World Dress Designer Award Fashion Show: Miss Japan wore a royal blue gown that looked a lot like the one...worn by last year's Miss World, Ksenia Sukhinova from Russia. The same bust and torso shirring, beaded halter neck detail and the same cheesy "car wash" effect. I love the color and the be-jeweled neck accent but THAT car-wash bottom part is SO 1994!
Besides the above "copy cat", there were some beautiful gowns at the Miss World Designer Award and Fashion Show. One of my favorites was this Grecian Goddess (quelle surprise!) apple green gown (above) worn by Miss New Zealand. I was just happy that she wasn't showing distracting cleavage, a high (I shaved my ENTIRE leg) slit or wearing those AWFUL clear Lucite Stripper Heels.
Another stunner was Miss Guatemala, who wore an elegant, red carpet worthy tulle, organza and gold strapless gown down the runway. She looked perfect. Her hair was clean and modern and her accessories were simple yet chic. Somebody is coaching her right! Loved her!Peacock Crazy: For some reason, there were lots of peacock feathers at this Miss World Dress Designer runway show. Case in point: Above, we see Miss Cote D'Ivoire (that's Ivory Coast for non-francophiles) and she wasn't the only one...Miss Guyana was also featuring some peacock feathers worthy of a Shirin-from-Season-Six-Project-Runway dress. I didn't know that there was a Michaels Arts and Crafts store in Guyana?! Now I do.Boobies and a High Slit: A Big No-No, in my book. Miss Angola is very beautiful but really? I can just hear the designer now: "It's going to be PLUNGING up there and OPEN down here!" This is not the red carpet for the Las Vegas Stripper Convention, it's Miss World! Time to add a little bit of class. Is that too much to ask?Another mess was Miss Latvia. You gotta love those girls from Eastern Europe. Why do I just feel like they would be great girlfriends to bring to a Gay Bar? They always bring some of the "Gown Crazy" at these international pageants. This canary yellow polyester satin (the puckering in those seams tell me that is NOT silk!) gown with "peek-a-boo" black bust cups is just...well, best left for the Best Drag Queen in Latvia Pageant. And I'm sure it would be FABULOUS!!!But the winner of the worst dress at the Miss World Designer Dress Fashion Show was this pouffy gown seen here on Miss Germany. Bless her heart. She either A) Has no fashion sense. Or B) made her designer really mad! She's so cute and demure but this is a HOT PROM MESS. I would have rather seen her in an Oktoberfest Dirndl! Heidi Klum: We need you!

Until next time kiddies... "Pageant Nick" will continue to be on the lookout for all the Best and WORST Pageant Fashion!

Miss Universe Gowns: Part Two of my "Nick Verreos Recap"!!

Lots of Slits, Prints and a Caftan????Look, I shaved: Miss Nicaragua, Indiana Sanchez, shows her (very, very) high slit

Here's a brief background into the Miss Universe Pageant and especially the "Gown Presentation". The contestants from all over the world arrive at their contest location--this year, the serene Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. They take their first "official photos", which include, of course, the Swimsuit and Evening Gown photos. Historically, (the contest has been occurring for 50 years much to the dismay of Feminist groups), these gowns are not necessarily the actual gowns the beauties will wear on the very official "Preliminary Competition", which chooses the Top Fifteen Finalists.There's A Sale At Jo Ann Fabrics: Miss Slovak Republic, Denisa Mendrejova uses all the leftover fabrics she could find

Sometimes, in fact, the girls even change into another gown, for the live telecast, if they make "The Cut" (I know, it's a bit confusing but just follow along, it's not "rocket science" after all). But until both the Preliminary Night and the final live telecast, these gown photos are all we have to look at--as a hint and style direction of the girls' taste (or at least what their sometimes ill-advised pageant directors told them to wear). There are a couple trends that seem evident after seeing some of the evening gown photos.

Flower Power:That's a Lot of Sweep: Miss Dominican Republic, Ada de la Cruz, in her Empire Maxi Printed Gown

There were lots of flow-y flower and paisley printed maxi-gowns, which is right-on-trend and understandable when the Miss Universe Pageant is taking place in a Caribbean resort such as the Atlantis in the Bahamas. Some were done well (Dominican Republic's Ada de la Cruz) and some, well, take a look at Miss Slovak Republic, Denisa Mendrejova. I give those Eastern European girls points for being always a bit "two steps away from crazy" in their gowns, but this one, was just a tragic mess.

Slit Happy:
I Feel A Breeze: Miss Philippines, Bianca Manalo proudly shows that slit

Although slits were a plenty in these evening gown portraits, at least it wasn't as out of control as it is usually seen at the Miss USA pageant. But, darlings, there was still plenty to see! Somehow, none of these countries' directors ever read my "Memo on Slits" back in April.Can Can Canada: Miss Canada, Mariana Valente's French Flag-inspired flower print and high slit gownThe Pharaohs Are Happy: Miss Egypt, Elhan Wagdi coily shows her slit--and her Stripper Lucite High Heels!

I get the "point" of a slit: Drama, ease of movement. That still doesn't make it right. Personally, a slit-up-to-there says "Cheesy" more than "Classy". But it seems to be a trend and a staple of pageant dresses which unfortunately will not go away, and especially more so now since last year's Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza won the contest wearing...you guessed it, a gown with a very high slit! And even though I'm not such a fan of the ubiquitous slits, I admit that she looked AMAZING in it!

Finally (for this posting), I have a couple "Nick Miss Universe Preliminary Gown Awards":First, the Carole Cook Caftan Award Goes To...Miss Colombia, Michelle Rouillard! Michelle showed up to the official "Welcome Dinner" in this neon apple green satin caftan of a concoction. And to be honest, I was LOVING IT!!! For Resort 2010, it is all about the Djeballah and caftans. I just never expected one would show up at the Miss Universe pageant. She gets ten "Nick Verreos" At-A-Girl" points for this.
And Secondly, my so-far "Most Improved Award" goes to the lovely Miss Cayman Islands, Nicosia (love her name) Lawson. The last we saw of her--she was wearing THIS gown! But at the Official Welcome Dinner, she showed up in this yellow, navy and metallic print gown, which for me, was a nice modern (and no clear stripper heels were showing!) improvement. Whoever let her borrow this, should make her KEEP IT!!!!