By Bianca London


Eighty nine beautiful women from all over the world have gathered at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to battle it out for the much coveted title of Miss Universe 2012.

This preliminary stage helps to determine the 16 semi-finalists that will be announced on pageant night on December 19 together with results of the ongoing online voting on the Miss Universe website.

'Rounds' at this stage in the competition included posing in bikinis and evening gowns, but unfortunately for Miss Guyana she became a fashion victim of her floor-sweeping evening dress and crashed to the floor in front of the judges last night in Las Vegas.

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Miss Guyana took to the runway in a high-necked pastel blue dress featuring a gentle fishtail hem

Unfortunately the combination of a polished catwalk, skyscraper heels and a floor-sweeping gown proved to be disastrous for this beauty queen

The remaining 88 contestants must have assumed they were all one step closer to winning the Diamond Nexus Crown as the combination of a shiny catwalk, skyscraper heels and a floor-skimming gown proved disastrous for the pretty South American.

The pageant began as a local 'bathing beauty' competition spearheaded by Catalina Swimwear in Long Beach, Califiornia and is now an international annual tradition.

The contest has evolved into a year-round international organisation that claims to advance and support opportunities for these young women.

The competition aims to award women who are savvy, goal-oriented and aware and believes that women compete with the hope of advancing their careers, personal and humanitarian goals.

Miss USA: Olivia Culpo

Miss Great Britain: Holly Hale

Evening gowns: Miss USA Olivia Culpo is pretty in pink, while Miss Great Britain 2012 Holly Hale wowed in white

Miss Switzerland: Alina Buchschacher

Miss Spain: Andrea Huisgen

Miss New Zealand: Talia Bennett

Miss Russia: Elizabeth Golovanova

Miss Sweden: Hanni Beronius

Miss Puerto Rico: Bodine Koehler

Miss South Africa: Melinda Bam

Miss Indonesia: Maria Selena

Miss Dominican Republic: Dulcita Lieggi

Miss Czech Republic: Tereza Chlebovska

Miss Costa Rica: Nazareth Cascante

Miss Chile: Ana Luisa Konig

Miss Korea: Sung-hye Lee

Miss Japan: Ayako Hara

Miss India: Shilpa Singh

Miss Denmark: Josefine Hewitt

Miss Cyprus: Ioanna Yiannakou

Miss Croatia: Elizabeta Burg

Miss Colombia: Daniella Alvarez Vasquez

Miss China: Ji Dan Xu

Miss Canada: Adwoa Yamoah

Miss Bulgaria: Zhana Yaneva

Miss Brazil: Gabriela Markus

Miss Botswana: Sheillah Molelekwa

Miss Belgium: Laura Beyne

Miss Bahamas: Celeste Marshall
VIDEO: Miss Universe contestants prepare to battle it out for coveted prize



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source: dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


The United States may have thrashed China at the Olympics, but the Asian powerhouse has got its own back, with Miss China overcoming Californian beauty Claudine Book to win Miss World 2012.

In front of a home crowd, China's Yu Wenxia was crowned this year's Miss World at the international beauty pageant held today.

Malibu-raised Book didn't even place, with Sophie Elizabeth Moulds of Wales coming first runner up and Australia's Jessica Michelle Kahawaty securing third place.

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Winner: Newly crowned Miss World, Yu Wenxia, centre, of China with first runner-up Sophie Elizabeth Mould, left, of Wales and second runner-up Jessica Michelle Kahawaty, right, of Australia

This is the second time Miss China has been awarded the title, which differs to the more well-known Miss Universe pageant, owned by Donald Trump.

The last time was in 2007 when Zhang Zilin took the honour.

Book, a stunning University of California Los Angeles student who studies film and Italian and collects exotic birds, was not expected to win the sought-after crown after failing to make the cut as a finalist for the swimsuit competition.

Book, 20, also stumbled in the talent category, which was dominated by Miss World Philippines, Quenerich Rehman, whose beat-boxing performance of 'Teach Me How to Dougie' has gone viral.


Stunner: Claudine Book, 20, missed out after stumbling in the swimsuit and talent categories. She is studying film and Italian at UCLA and collects exotic birds


Missed out: California beauty Claudine Book, pictured, missed out to Miss China in today's pageant

Lost: Book, pictured right, failed to place in the event

Wenxia, 23, is a music student who wants to become a music teacher and secured the title at the pageant held for the first time in the Inner Mongolian city of Ordos -- one of the richest regions in China thanks to its abundant natural resources.

In her spare time, Wenxia enjoys hiking, travelling, singing, dancing and playing the piano, according to the Miss World website.

She describes herself as someone who follows her dreams with a smile and says her favourite food is dumplings.

Book, who minors in business at UCLA, would like to focus on acting in the future.

In her Miss World profile, she describes herself as an optimistic and driven person who wants to make people happy.

She enjoys hiking, running and surfing, and says she likes anything sweet, especially chocolate.


Talented: Miss China Yu Wenxia, pictured right, beat USA's Claudine Book, right, to take the crown

Mongolia: The finals of the Miss World pageant were held for the first time in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, today

Miss World differs to Miss Universe as contestants don’t just compete in swimwear and evening wear -- they also compete in talent, fitness, and 'Beauty with a Purpose,' where contestants’ charitable efforts are rewarded.

Fashion designers from each country are also able to showcase their work on their respective contestants.

Miss World flies under the radar in the U.S. though some former contestants have found fame after their reigns, including actress Halle Berry and Wonder Woman Lynda Carter.

According to The Washington Post, Miss World Unites States is not even selected through a national pageant, rather she is a model chosen to represent the country by a modeling agency.





source:dailymail

Okay these gowns are not necessarily the best but for me these are the gowns that truly caught my fancy because they are unique. I am a big sucker for fabrics and anything that looks new to my eyes always keep me interested. But not all of them of course leave me positively elated. While many gowns disappointed me, here's my five fave:


1.) Miss Aruba Lucianette Verhoeks, design by Claudia Sabogal. It is pretty simple, yet fresh and appealing to the eyes. The patterns on the fabric really caught my fancy. The 3/4 sleeve leaves the whole impression of being casual but the patterns along the neckline makes it upscale.


2.) Miss Cote d'Ivoire Hadjau Helene-Valerie Djouka, design by Eloi Sessou. I like the generous use of orange in this gown which amazingly blends well with her skin tone. The fabric used which is loincloth is very much African. I love how the designer pushed the traditional into the world stage.


3.) Miss India Vanya Mishra, design by Malini Ramani. This is a clean, simple design wherein its main power is on the very traditional patterns embroidered all over. The huge slit to her right added a sexy twist.


4.) Miss South Africa Remona Moodley, design by JJ Schoeman. This may not look appealing to the many but in case you missed it, this gown has a very low back. So one has to wait for her to turn around to get the whole picture. This very metallic feel with rainbow colors forming against the light is unique on its own. Then there's the cape as a punch line.


5.) Miss Ukraine Karyna Zhyronkina, design by Kateryna Shakhovskaya. This is a sexy bodice complemented by turquoise-on-black design by the skirt. Love the beadings on the bodice which is splashed with crystals and feathers. The cut allows the sexy body of Karyna to show off.



source:missosology

If anyone understands the Chinese culture, one would know that red is the real choice of color. It symbolizes celebration, good tidings and happiness. That is why in the 2012 edition of Miss World's World Designer Award, the red gowns are most conspicuous ones. Here are the 7 gowns that Missosology thinks are the eye catching ones.


Guadeloupe - this is an interesting gown in a black canvass peppered with feathers and meticulously arranged add-ons. If there is one thing that Miss World wants from a gown it would be about putting a lot of effort in the design.


Ireland - the gown is sexiness in good taste. The see-through fabric layered with appliques is so well designed and the patterns are just creative. The red color of course is a huge plus.


Dominican Republic - silver just screams elegance and one can appreciate that this is a pretty expensive creation. Figure hugging and sparkling, this gown is simply attention grabbing.


Wales - this is something that royals like Kate Middleton would wear. The way silver was matched with red is really genius. The lithe, tall figure of Miss Wales is a great partner of this gown.


Philippines - she aced everything in this gown. It's a powerful combination of elegance and creativity using the right colors and of course having the right girl wearing this divine creation.


Colombia - this is simplicity at its best. The red gown just screams sexy despite being bereft of any fancy add-ons. Love the way Colombia struts the catwalk.


Puerto Rico - Wow and wow and more wow. This is the best gown of the evening and it is not even in red. Puerto Rico pulled this gown brilliantly that uses ranges of blue from aquamarine to zaffre. And it showed off how sexy she is too!



source:missosology

This unfortunately a rather disastrous group. From left to right, Miss Hong Kong China's gown picked the wrong shade of red which looks rather drab bordering to crimson. The burst of floral add-on failed to impress and the skirt has a so-so appeal. Meanwhile, Miss Bosnia and Herzegovina can be commended for using the right silver-white combination but the off the shoulder ruffles looks like a poodle split into two. Meanwhile, Miss Croatia used the wrong colors, used the wrong design and she had the wrong legs. Exposing them in a two-slit skirt is terrible. Miss Macau's color choice is great. Jade is perhaps the second most popular color in the Chinese culture. However, this gown is really for tall girls and the wide slit is doing a lot of injustice to her.


I don't know if Mongolia got the memo or something but if she is trying to be Mongolian or funny, she didn't get it right. She might be forgiven if the World Best Designer competition was held in Ordos. And what's with the makeup? This is just ridiculous and overall a huge mistake.


Normally, I would say wow to this gown but this is Miss World. If Australia got tons of email for her revealing dress, this magnificent blue is a big faux pas. I just hope Miss World will get over this part and truly appreciate the beauty and figure of Miss Nepal. The intricate beading and feathers reminds us all of the great beauty of a peacock. Final verdict: One must love this gown - and the girl!


I'm not so sure if the chocolate brown color is appropriate for evening functions because they usually dissolve into oblivion. Panama's white gown is okay but combining a soft color to metallic add ons does not really turn me on. Wales is just splendid. The red sprinkled with silver enhances her figure and she really carried this dress well. Mexico is so-so. Just imagine if her dress is red or jade, she could have aced it. It's just the wrong color choice. Peru is elegant and she carried this red gown nicely. I love her swan like neck and having a strapless gown simply highlights it.


I would like to talk the two gowns that stand out in this group of Asians. First is Indonesia's. I love the fuchsia color. It is just attention grabbing. I am not too sure though whether the busy gown is something that most people would appreciate but I would like to think that the intricacies of the add-ons could be a plus. Philippines' red gown is very regal. She did carry it well and a huge kudos to the designer for such a beautiful design. I noticed that she did not put her hands on her hips like most of the contestants does which is good because it gave emphasis to her body shape.


I'm not really a fan of whites at beauty pageants especially those that are heavily laden with appliqués. Iceland's gown for me is just as cold as ice.


This is the batch of great creations. Not really head turners but I think that most of the gowns deserves an appreciation. Miss Guatemala looks elegant, very much Jacky O. And the hairdo matches well with tangerine gown. What I like most about her gown are the creative folds and pleats. Fiji's gown is simplistic in design but the combination of rose and black tones with interesting patterns on the fabric is commendable. Miss Guam's green dress failed her. I mean the gown itself is wonderful, well except for the cape, but the big trouble is Guam appeared shapeless on this wardrobe. Unlike Miss El Salvador's which hugged her body form well. I also like the design which is kind of lacy and then it is given a fiery treatment at the bottom part. She also appeared pretty much comfortable wearing the gown!


I am not sure if I will fall in love with the royal blue gown of Miss France. The color does not much her skin tone. The intricate add ons on her neck and thigh is a distraction. I though the French knew better about fashion.


This is some kind of a revelation for most of these candidates. Russia is definitely fading in my list. She chose to wear some mediocre gown in here and no wonder she is not in the list of Top Model semifinalists. Poland's ash grey gown is just a wrong choice. Miss Netherlands orange gown is okay-ish. I kind of expect more and look how she compensates her height with her hairdo. Miss Ukraine is lovely but I don't expect to use turquoise feathers atop a charcoal black skirt and get a head turning result. Nice design bad color matching


source:missosology