How did the long gowns of Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez influence other countries like Wales and Poland?

I was inspired by the turn out of comments on this post I have written about the identical gowns of Miss Philippines and Miss Venezuela during the Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam. The similarity is more on the cuts of the gowns.

Because of this post, I have realized how strong Venezuela is in influencing other countries when it comes to pageantry. The long gowns of Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez, the back-to-back Miss Universe winners from Venezuela for 2008 and 2009, have been the inspirations of other countries. Poland and Wales (United Kingdom) copied the designs of the gowns for their representatives to Miss World and Miss Earth respectively.

Although this act of copying designs is a fashion crime, I am more curious to know the feelings or reactions of the girls who were forced to wear these gowns. Did they wear it with pride and confidence? Did it affect their performances?

For comparison, the next two pictures are Dayana Mendoza (first) in her yellow gown and Stefania fernandez (second) in her red gown.

Now, here is Miss Wales Dominique Dryer during the preliminary evening gown competition of Miss Earth 2009 in Manila. The gown is exactly the same with Dayana's gown except that she changed the color to pink.

On the other hand, Miss Poland Anna Jamróz paraded in Miss World 2009 with a gown which was obviously a fusion of the gowns of Dayana and Stefania. The upper part of the gown is patterned from Dayana's while the lower part is copied from Stefania's.

The "identical" long gowns of Dayana Mendoza and Jennifer Barrientos, Miss Philippines Universe 2008

I was browsing video clips of Miss Universe 2008 in Vietnam when I took notice an odd similarity on the gowns of Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza, who eventually won the title, and Miss Philippines Jennifer Barrientos, who didn't make the semi-final.

I am expecting you will disagree with me since most of us are very critical when it comes to the dresses and wardrobes of any Miss Philippines titleholders. Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Incorporated (BPCI)has the reputation of providing mediocre or outdated long gowns to their girls. I still remember the comments of fans on Jennifer's gown during the pageant - the gown was a mess and 80-ish.

Miss Venezuela Organization, on the other hand, under the leadership of pageant guru, Osmel Sousa, is known with its stylish and fashion-forward long gowns. The organization gives their girls only the best wardrobes in the pageant.

So, you might probably think that comparing the gown of a Miss Philippines to a Miss Venezuela is an insult because it is like putting a diamond side by side with a stone. But try to see the video clips after the pictures.

This is the yellow gown of Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza.

This is the Alfredo Barraza gown of Miss Philippines, Jennifer Barrientos. It is very obvious, this gown is much inferior with that of Dayana.

Now look on their evening gown presentations during the preliminary competitions.

Here is Jennifer with her evening gown in motion.

Here is Dayana with her evening gown in motion.

So, what have you seen? The gowns are identical onstage except for the colors. The effects or the amount of lights on the stage could also be the reason. Jennifer carried the gown well. She had a fantastic presentation although the gown was a trash. But definitely, Dayana had a better performance in a better gown.

While Jennifer was trying to be regal and sophisticated in her moves, Dayana opted to be more fluid with her flirty walks. She was like dancing the way she swayed her hips and her shoulders. She also gave emphasis on the slits of her gowns with her twirl and the position of her legs when she paused.

Miss South Africa Tatum Keshwar is scared of tripping on stage at the Miss Universe 2009

Miss South Africa hopes to bring home title

Tatum Keshwar says she is ready to give the other 86 Miss Universe contestants “a run for their money” — but is scared of tripping on stage.

Keshwar, who is to represent South Africa at the 58th annual Miss Universe pageant in the Bahamas on August 23, is scheduled to leave for the Paradise Islands on Friday July 31.

She will compete against beauties from countries such as New Zealand, Spain, Venezuela and India.

The current Miss Universe, Venezuelan beauty Dayana Mendoza, will hand over the title.

Despite the stiff competition, Keshwar told she hoped to bring the crown home.

“I am slightly nervous and I can feel the pressure of wanting to make everyone proud. My biggest fear of being around 86 beautiful girls is falling on stage and disappointing the country at the pageant,” she said.

The competition has already become contentious. Entrants from Sri Lanka, Northern Marianas, St Vincent and Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago have withdrawn due to lack of sponsorship.

They have been replaced with entrants from four other countries, Norway, Curaçao, Lebanon and Turkey.

After a two-year absence, Sweden will be represented at this year’s pageant.

During her month-long stay in the Bahamas, Keshwar will be dressed by some of South Africa’s best designers.

The likes of Malcolm Klûk CGDT, Katherine Kidger, Gerrit Pienaar, Kendril Vermeulen and Haroun Hansrot are designing outfits for the various events that Keshwar will attend before the pageant.

On her visit to the Rain Forest Theatre at the Wyndham Hotel, she will wear a design by South African RjKayn inspired by Zulu bridal dress.

On the night of the pageant, during which the beauties will be judged in swimwear and evening gowns , Keshwar will wear a JJ Schoeman cerise frilled dress decorated with Swarovski crystals.

Later, she will appear in a mint- green and silver gown by Charlene Sauerman.

“I am definitely spoilt for choice with all the different dresses that I will be taking with me to the island, and I love every single one of them,” she said.

Keshwar’s friends and family will attend the pageant in the Bahamas to support her.

Miss Namibia Happie Ntelamo might not participate at Miss Universe 2009

Miss Namibia 2009, 20-year-old Happie Ntelamo, is still short of N$54 000 to make her dream come true at the 58th annual Miss Universe competition.

The glamorous event, featuring some of the world’s most beautiful women, for 2009 will be held at Atlantis paradise island resort in the Bahamas on August 23.

Though the Namibian private sector is helping, money is still short while her flight is already booked and wardrobe ready to be packed by next week Thursday. Happie will leave next Saturday.

Miss Namibia and her two princesses Tanya Schemmer and Susan van Zyl, as well as pageant organiser, Connie Maritz, yesterday paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Nahas Angula. During the discussion it came to light that some money is still needed in order for her to partake in the event. Maritz is, however, hopeful that the amount will be raised in time for Happie to represent her country.

The Office of the Prime Minister, encouraging her to be brave and hopeful, made a contribution of N$5 000 towards Happie’s mission and wished her well in bringing the crown back home.

A fluent speaker in Spanish, Italian and English, 23-year-old Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela is the reigning Miss Universe.

Source: newera.com

Dayana Mendoza Reveals Her Last Trip as Miss Universe 2008

 

Current Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela blogged her last trip abroad as Miss Universe 2009. It was in Romania.

Dayana went to Romania last week to crown the winner of Miss Romania 2009 which was won by Elena Bianca Constantin. She was also one of the judges.

In her blog at the official site of Miss Universe Organization, Dayana said, "Sadly, I had my last International trip as Miss Universe to Romania this week, and it couldn't have been better. It was the perfect place to close out this opportunity of a life-time. I was so excited about the language because I understood some of the things people were saying. Romanian has the same Latin roots and I figure it would be easy to learn but I had no idea how easy it was to understand! We went to the Miss Universe Romania pageant and I got to be a judge. I can totally say I was very impressed with the show, the music was amazing, the girls were all beautiful and they all did a great job. I visited different TV shows and in one of them I got to wear one of the typical dresses of the country and dance to the typical music, it was a lot of fun. I felt almost like a Romanian! I’m very happy with the opportunity I had to go to such an interesting country, and if I cross my fingers very, very tight, I might come back very soon :)!!!!"

Here's a Youtube video of Dayana wearing the Romanian traditional costume.

Joahnna Mariel Lasic Wins Miss Argentina Universe 2009

Joahana Mariel Lasic, a beautiful girl 20 year-old of Ciudad Autonoma (Capital District), was crowned Miss Universe Argentina 2009 during the pageant held in the Hall of the Americas NH Hotel Provincial on 23th May.

The new Argentinean beauty queen who stands 1.82 m tall will represent Argentina in Miss Universe 2009 Beauty Contest in the Bahamas in August 23.

Crowd favourite, a beautiful Gretel Venecia Otto of Misiones was just a First Princess. Lovely girl Gisela Berger from Córdoba was Second Princess.

Twenty-three young women participated in this year's pageant. This is the first time in the pageant's history that a reigning Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, was invited as a guest.

Claudia Arce Wins Miss Bolivia 2009

As early as this time, Bolivia has already a representative for Miss Universe...not for the 2009 pageant in Bahamas this coming August 23 but for the next pageant in 2010 in a host country which is not known yet.

Claudia Arce of Chuquisaca is the winner of Miss Bolivia 2009 that was held in the Gran Mariscal Theatre of Sucre. She became the first confirmed delegate of any country in the world to the Miss Universe 2010 pageant. The 18-year old new Bolivian beauty queen stands 1.73 meter. She has over one year to prepare for her international pageant. She is also an Industrial Engineering student.

The pageant also marked the 30th year anniversary of Gloria Limpias as the organizer.

In case you are curious, Bolivia's representative to the Miss Universe 2009 in the Bahamas is Miss Cochabamba, Dominique Peltier.

Arce's court includes First Runner-Up Miss Bicentenario Flavia Foianini who is going to Miss World 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa and London, UK. Foianini was the crowd favourite.

Second Runner-Up is Miss Santa Cruz Ximena Vargas. She will be representing Bolivia to the Miss International 2009 to be held in Japan and China.

Miss Litoral Paola Flores was declared as Third Runner-Up. She will be competing at the Miss American Continent in Ecuador.

Present in the pageant who assisted in the crowning of the beauty queens are the Top 2 winners of Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela and Taliana Vargas of Colombia. Mendoza is Miss Universe 2008 while Vargas is her runner up.

Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza Named Most Beautiful

Current Miss Universe titleholder, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela is the only beauty queen who was included in the list of the People En Espanol's '50 Most Beautiful'. Most of the celebrities in the Top 50 are actors and singers from all over Latin America most especially from Mexico.

Here is our darling Dayana attending the ceremony that will honour the 50 Most Beautiful at The Edison Ballroom on May 13, 2009 in New York City.

Miss Universe Describes Gitmo Tour as 'Fun' and 'Relaxing'

Reigning Miss Univers 2008, Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza shocked the  world when she described her recent visit at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba as "lot of fun, beautiful, relaxing and calm".

I found out Dayana's blog written in the pages of the official website of Miss Universe. She wrote this on 20th of March before she embarked for the trip to Cuba and right after the Miami Fashion Week. Let's read this:

Miami Fashion Week & Guantanamo Bay

This week I did some paper work at the office, and on Wednesday I went to a Latin club, were Jorge Villamizar (the Bacilos's singer) was playing, so I got to meet all the guys from the band, and we took some great pictures! They were very nice. I had a great time it was fun to listen to Latin music for a while. The next day we were flying to Miami for Fashion Week, and so I did interviews for CNN en Espanol, and for some South American networks. I was soooo happy first of all because I saw my friends from Miami, and second of all cause I spoke Spanish the whole time :)!!!!. Patricia Manterola was also there, it was such an honor to meet her and see how humble and nice see is. We all walked on the runway for Nicolas Felizola, a great Venezuelan designer. I was wearing a Wedding dress! (I still hope to get married one day hahaha) It was gorgeous!!! Nicolas was amazing to us. We had fun doing it, thanks Nicolas :) !!!! On Friday, we left for Jacksonville for one night because the next day we were going to Guantanamo, Cuba!!!! Wow, my job is amazing!!!! I love it, I let you guys know next week how Guantanamo was .... Muah!

Posted by Dayana

"It was a loooot of fun!" Dayana said according to Reuters.

Mendoza wrote of her time at the camp, a prison surrounded by barbed-wire fence and minefields. She wrote that she went to a bar on the naval base and visited the "unbelievable" beach.

"We visited the Detainees camps and we saw the jails, where they shower, how the(y) recreate themselves with movies, classes of art, books. It was very interesting," Mendoza wrote of Gitmo. "I didn't want to leave, it was such a relaxing place, so calm and beautiful."

Along with Dayana is Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart.  

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Miss Universe Visits Guantánamo Bay

Don’t ask us how or why we came across this — and the British home secretary’s husband did not bring it to our attention — but the latest entry on the blog of the reigning Miss Universe, Dayana Mendoza, has a sort of eye-catching dateline: “March 27, 2009, Guantánamo Bay.”

According to the Web site of the U.S.O., which arranged the visit, the Miss Universe Organization made the decision to “deploy Crystle Stewart, Miss U.S.A. 2008, and Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008, to Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to visit troops as part of a U.S.O./Armed Forces Entertainment tour.”

Ms. Mendoza, who competed as Miss Venezuela, has a blog on the pageant’s Web site, and this account of the visit appeared there last Friday, after her deployment:

This week, Guantánamo!!! It was an incredible experience.

We arrived in Gitmo on Friday and stared going around the town, everybody knew Crystle and I were coming so the first thing we did was attend a big lunch and then we visited one of the bars they have in the base. We talked about Gitmo and what is was like living there. The next days we had a wonderful time, this truly was a memorable trip! We hung out with the guys from the East Coast and they showed us the boat inside and out, how they work and what they do, we took a ride around the land and it was a loooot of fun!

We also met the Military dogs, and they did a very nice demonstration of their skills. All the guys from the Army were amazing with us.

We visited the Detainees camps and we saw the jails, where they shower, how the recreate themselves with movies, classes of art, books. It was very interesting.

We took a ride with the Marines around the land to see the division of Gitmo and Cuba while they were informed us with a little bit of history.

The water in Guantánamo Bay is soooo beautiful! It was unbelievable, we were able to enjoy it for at least an hour. We went to the glass beach, and realized the name of it comes from the little pieces of broken glass from hundred of years ago. It is pretty to see all the colors shining with the sun. That day we met a beautiful lady named Rebeca who does wonders with the glasses from the beach. She creates jewelry with it and of course I bought a necklace from her that will remind me of Guantánamo Bay :)

I didn’t want to leave, it was such a relaxing place, so calm and beautiful.

That glowing account of Ms. Mendoza’s visit to the U.S. Naval Station at Guantánamo Bay is unlikely to please Hugo Chavez, her country’s president. Mr. Chavez, who reportedly called Ms. Mendoza to congratulate her when she won the Miss Universe crown last year, recently called on the United States to “return Guantánamo and Guantánamo Bay to the Cubans” after closing the detention facility there.

Mr. Chavez, who is close to the Cuban leadership, may now be rethinking the praise he heaped on Ms. Mendoza on Venezuelan television last year, when she returned to Caracas with the crown.

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Miss Universe 2009 Will be Held in Bahamas

The 2009 Miss Universe Pageant is set to be held in the Bahamas later this year.

The August 30th pageant is being presented in collaboration with the government of the Bahamas and The Atlantis Resorts. Gaynell Stubbs, National Director for the Miss Bahamas Pageant, says `this is a dream come true for the Bahamas and could not have come in a better time`.

Miss Universe 2008, Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela, will crown her successor at the end of the 58th annual event, which will air live from Atlantis. About 80 countries and territories are expected to compete and the pageant will be broadcast live on NBC and Telemundo. The Bahamas has still no Miss Universe winner.

The announcement comes at a time when tourism to the Bahamas has seen a decline as with many other Caribbean islands and the government has embarked on a `grow your own food` campaign. (caribbeanworldnews.com)

Here is another news article about the staging of Miss Universe 2009 in Bahamas. This is just another confirmation.

The Miss Bahamas Universe Organization is please about the recent announcement that The Bahamas will play host to the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant via the sponsorship of the Bahamas Government and The Atlantis Resorts.

According to Mrs. Gaynell Stubbs, "We are so please about the world coming to the Bahamas. I have wished for this day from attending my first Miss Universe Pageant as holder of the Bahamas Franchise and boast every year to all of the other National Directors at every Miss Universe Pageant, that should they come to the Bahamas- we will show them real hospitality. We now have this golden opportunity to showcase the Bahamas to the world in a unified voice. We will be the world's stage for the rest of this year, but with a lifelong lasting impact - let's do it in grand style - every Bahamian must play their part. I know we can do it hand in hand, step by step and working together. "

The Organization has extended its application deadline for young ladies wishing to compete in the 2009 Miss Bahamas Pageant until March 13th, 2009.

The successful lady winning the 2009 Miss Bahamas Universe crown will be the focus attention for the rest of the world during the Miss Universe Pageant, as she would represent every Bahamian from all walks of life as the official Ambassador at the Miss Universe Pageant to be held here in the Bahamas during late August.

This is a most prestigious and rare honour to be bestowed upon a Miss Bahamas.

The Miss Bahamas Pageant will be held in May 2009.(thebahamasweekly.com)

A Meeting with Miss Universe 2008 Dayana Mendoza

Here is an article about our reigning Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza of Venezuela and Miss USA Universe 2008. This is lifted from the column of one of my favorite writers, Ricky Lo of the Philippine Star. But this particular story is send to him by his so-called "beauty expert", Felix Manuela.

Ricky says:

Felix Manuel, one of Funfare’s “beauty experts” now working (as a nurse) in New York, had a close encounter with 2008 Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza. Here’s his breathless account:

I met her and two other beauties two weeks ago at the NBC Experience Store in Manhattan. She was so nice. Interviews with them were not allowed due to time constraints. I was just so happy to see her in person. 2008 Miss USA Crystle Stewart and 2008 Miss Teen USA Stevi Perry were also there as well; an added bonus for a pageant aficionado like me.

I showed Dayana my collection of newspaper/magazine stories about her and she was impressed.

Incidentally, the Miss Universe Organization has not decided where this year’s Miss Universe pageant would be held; several countries are bidding to host the pageant. By the way, a new crown will be used this year.

Dayana, 22, was crowned Miss Universe 2008 in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in July last year. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She speaks three languages — Spanish, English and Italian. She was discovered at the age of 13 at a local bus stop. Since then, she has gained vast experience in catalogue modeling and has worked with prestigious companies like Max Mara and Costume Nacional. Modeling has allowed Dayana to travel the world, visiting places like New York, Italy, Germany, France, Athens and Spain. One of her most unforgettable experiences was when she was kidnapped, and incident which she said made her stronger.

She has proven to be a great champion for the official causes of Miss Universe, which include increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on women’s health and reproductive issues, and forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education including the Latino Commission on AIDS Global Health Council and God’s Love We Deliver.

Crystle (of Texas), 26, was crowned Miss USA 2008 after competing five times in the Miss Texas pageant. A B.S. Consumer Science & Merchandising graduate from the University of Houston, she is a fourth-generation educator and teacher. Crystle is not just a pretty face, she is also an entrepreneur with her own company, Inside/Out, which she uses as a platform for public speaking appearances, character development lessons and event planning. She will always be remembered for her tumble during the evening gown competition of last year’s Miss Universe pageant.

Stevi (from Hamburg, Arkansas), 18, was crowned Miss Teen USA 2008 on Aug. 16, 2008 at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas. Already established as a successful model, Stevi has modeled for a top national dance-apparel company and was chosen as a finalist in Cosmo Girl’s So You Want to be a Model contest, beating thousands of other entrants. She plans to attend the New York Film Academy to learn more about the entertainment industry and hone her acting skills.

Miss World 2010 in Vietnam; Miss Universe 2009 in Croatia

MISS UNIVERSE 2009 IN CROATIA: Jadranka Kosor, prime minister of Croatia, confirmed last Wednesday that her country will host the 2009 Miss Universe pageant. MUO president Paula Shugart announced that within the next few weeks she would make the official announcement about Croatia as the next host country where current Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza will be crowning her successor. (Critical Beauty)

MISS WORLD IN SOUTH AFRICA: The 2008 edition of the longest running beauty contest in history, the Miss World pageant, will be hosted by the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Saturday 13 December.

Africa's most popular and versatile banqueting and conference venue has secured the right to stage this prestigious event after political unrest on Russia's border with Georgia forced organisers to move the pageant, which was to have been held in Kiev on October 4. (Bizcommunity)

2008 MISS EARTH CONTEST LAUNCHED: Reigning Miss Earth Jessica Nicole Trisko (of Canada), together with 2008 Miss Philippines Earth Karla Paula Henry, recently went to Vietnam to spearhead several environmental and humanitarian activities, including mangrove tree planting and giving gifts to orphans.

Then, she formally launched the eighth Miss Earth contest at the Ambassador Sala of Traders Hotel Manila, the official residence of the 2008 Miss Earth. The number 8 is a symbol of prosperity for Carousel Productions which is behind the annual search.

As the seventh Miss Earth, Jessica has been busy visiting several countries including (besides Vietnam) the USA, Singapore, Puerto Rico and Indonesia. (The Philippine Star)

MISS WORLD 2010 IN VIETNAM: On the heels of its successful organisation of the Miss Universe 2008 pageant, Vietnam will begin preparing for another international beauty contest, Miss World, to be held in 2010.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan on September 30 approved the organisation of the Miss World 2010 pageant in the coastal city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province.

Le Xuan Than, Vice Chairman of the Khanh Hoa People’s Committee, said he was optimistic that after the success of Miss Universe 2008, Nha Trang’s infrastructure would be good enough for the Miss World pageant. (Vietnamnet)

Miss World Chairwoman, Julia Morley, is signing the contract for the Miss World 2010 in Vietnam. Vietnam government officials witness the signing.