Latest HollyWooD Fashion 2022

Last night was the Finals of the 54th edition of Binibining Pilipinas, the premier Philippines Beauty Pageant which crowns the ladies who will represent the country in the Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, Miss Intercontinental and Miss Globe. In one of my most recent posts here on my "Sashes and Tiaras" BLOG, I discussed the FABULOUS National Costumes and MY FAVORITES. Now, it's time to talk about the Final Night EVENING GOWNS! But before I discuss the gowns, let's give a shout-out to the Winner of Binibining Pilipinas 2017, Contestant #19, Rachel Louise Peters:





La Rachel: The new Binibining Pilipinas 2017 won the title of Miss Universe Philippines 2017 and will get to represent her nation in the 2017 Miss Universe pageant...wherever and whenever that will happen. Rachel is not new to the pageant scene and actually competed in Miss World Philippines 2014 pageant where she ended up with 5th place or the  "4th Princess" title. This year, she bagged the top crown at the competing Binibinibg Pilipinas pageant and got the top crown!





Fil-Brit: Rachel grew up in Camarines Sur, a province in the Bicol Region in Luzon in the Philippines and is part British and part Filipina. She is 24 years old and stands 5' 9" (175 M), one of the tallest contestants at this year's Binibining Pilipinas pageant.







OK...now time to discuss my Top 15 Favorite Evening Gowns:











There were 40 total contestants in the Binibining Pilipinas 2017 Beauty Pageant and in a new format, only 25 of those got to continue on to compete in Swimsuit as well as Evening Gown. Out of those 25, here are my Top 15 Favorite Gowns:





No. 1:




Contestant #39 Elizabeth Clenci: This was--by far!--my FAVORITE gown of the Top 25 contestants. I thought this ivory one shoulder column gown was sleek, chic and super-fabulous! The look was perfect enough for the red carpet of a top awards show and so not "Pageant Betty". It was refreshing to not see a sequined/over-applique'ed gown in the pageant; it was almost like a breath of fresh (Gown) air! She also was vibing a little bit of Minorka Mercado "Miss Venezuela" at the "Miss Universe 1994" with this look. Classy and supremely elegant!



No. 2:


Contestant #32 Charmaine Marie Francisco Elima: Charmaine was giving me some Pia Wurtzbach aristocratic air with this white one shoulder gown design. It was my 2nd favorite design of the night. The gown which featured white satin with silver sequins and a dramatic one-shoulder sleeve cape looked beautiful and fit her perfectly. She blended enough Haute fashion with red carpet with a crystal dash of pageant fab! When I saw her, all I wanted to say was "You GO GIRL!".




No. 3:


Contestant #15 Maria de Leon: Maria won the title of "Miss International Philippines" and many thought she might take it all! Winning that "Miss International Philippines" crown is a wonderful accomplishment nevertheless. Now, in terms of her gown, it was gorgeous! I loved the silhouette, the fit, the raspberry color...but more importantly, the pleated and gathered details were EXTRAORDINARY! Who needs sequins and applique when that's on your gown darlings!



No. 4:


Contestant #10 Jehza Mae Huelar: I loved this white halter-style gown on Jehza. The dress featured sequins and flower appliques that reminded me of a Chanel Haute Couture gown that would cost about $100,000! I also really liked how she styled her hair in such a modern chic slicked-back manner. If there was any criticism (and you KNOW what that is!), it would be those Stripper Platform Heels! Soooooo TACKY!!! Huneeeey!!!! WHY??????????????????? A pair of silver strappy heels would have been perfect! Ayyyyyy Dios Mio!!!  



No. 5:



Contestant #18 Nelda Ibe: This red sequins over a nude tulle illusion background gown was very pretty. I loved the delicate coral-like applique and the fit was superb. The gown itself was not extraordinary in terms of design but here., it really was all about the fabric and the manner in which she carried herself.



No. 6:


Contestant #22 Chanel Olive Thomas: Chanel wore this strapless bubblegum pink silk Dupioni gown, and I liked it! At first, I did think it was a bit "Typical Pageant Gal" but as my eyes focused, I appreciated the fit, the luxe fabrication and the superb shape. Chanel also carried it off perfectly with her above-it-all look and on-point hair and accessories.



No. 7:


Contestant #28 Juliana Kapeundl: Juliana wore this ivory column shaped gown which I loved for its simplicity, great fit and non-pageant-like krazeeness! I thought the unique applique was very Jean Paul Gaultier-meets-Givenchy Haute Couture and the design made Juliana look very elegant and red carpet perfect. If only she didn't wear those TACKY white platform pumps! Seriously! These gals need to just wear non-platform strappy heels ASAP! No one will judge them and think they are too short!! Just wear the proper shoes ladies! PLEASE!



No. 8:


Contestant #16 Larah Grace Lacap: Great gown. Wrong shoes. I'll start with the gown: I loved this hunter green sequin-and-tulle mermaid-shaped design. I also really liked the sleeve detail and how she styled herself in terms of her elegant hair and simple earrings. But...THOSE tacky nude platform pumps!!! I want to SCREAM!!! Oh well, the gown was still pretty enough to make my Top 15 list.



No. 9:


Contestant #19 Rachel Peters: The eventual "Miss Universe Philippines" winner, Rachel Louise Peters, wore this reddish/orange-colored gown. I admit that the color was a bit of a "Oh Dear!" but she sold it to me during her catwalk. Yes, it was a bit "Pageant Betty" with the super-high side slit and the sequins-and-chiffon (it was a bit "Figure Skating Costume"-like!), but, there were details in the gown (the top bust section) and the way Rachel carried it off that pushed her into my Top 15 Favorite gowns.




No. 10:


Contestant #9 Vanessa Saliba: I wanted to include this emerald green ballgown/overskirt because it was one of the best representations of this silhouette and style. It was a bit "Pageant Queen" but it was done in an elegant and very regal way. I liked the color and the fit was nice. The sequin work was also pretty fabulous. I was also very happy she didn't do a bouffant up-do as her hairstyle but instead opted for the modern slicked back look. She did look quite beautiful.



No. 11:



Contestant #13 Sirene Sutton: Super-Mestiza model/pageant contestant Sirene Sutton wore this purple striped gown featuring a high side-front slit and flowy design. She worked it OVERTIME on the catwalk, letting the skirt flow out creating a dramatic stance. She looked modern and model-like in this. While the design and gown itself wasn't so out-of-this-world, she did work it! For that, Sirene--and her gown--belong in my Top 15. Too bad she couldn't really succeed in the Q&A portion! Beauty sometimes does need the brains in a Beauty Pageant to make it all complete. Poor thang. #JustSaying



No. 12:


Contestant #26 Ruffa Nava: Making my Top 15 list and coming in at the 12th spot is Ruffa Nava in this pink halter gown. The dress featured a golden "print" and chiffon side-to-back cape. It was dramatic, pretty and enough to put her in my Top 15. Once again, I wasn't a fan of those tacky nude platform pumps with this but it looks as if these ladies did not have a choice. Overall, she looked classy, elegant and pageant fab!



No. 13:


Contestant #7 Jennyline Malpaya: Jennyline wore this chartreuse-colored caped gown for the "Long Gown" Competition of the 2017 Binibining Pilipians Beauty Pageant. I liked the shocking neon-like color and the dramatic cape back design was a showstopper but yes, it was A LOT (I could just hear "Project Runway"'s Nina Garcia giving a stink face to this for sure!). But I liked the "Drag Queen" fabulousity of it all that made me put her here in my Top 15!



No. 14:



Contestant #20 Christagale Borja: I was seriously on the fence with placing Christagale's blue gown in my Top 15 list but...I looked a little bit closer to the sequined applique details of the dress and that is what won me over. I wasn't a fan of the 1990's-like neck piece and Figure Skating Costume nude illusion back piece but I did appreciate the details of the fabric and well-fitting gown.



Lastly...

No. 15:



Contestant #31 Katarina Rodriguez: I loved Katarina's jewel blue color and the fan-pleated detail of her gown; it had hints of vintage "Miss Venezuela" Guy Meliet-like designs and yes, I appreciated that. I also thought the fit was nice--except for the odd sweetheart neckline/bust buckling. But overall, it was good enough to make my Top 15!

It's a big week in the FABULOUS Filipino Pageant World...Indeed this Sunday April 30th will mark the Grand Coronation Night--or Finals--of the 54th edition of Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant. The winner of 2017 Binibining Pilipinas will be the next representative in the Miss Universe 2017 pageant and the finalists will also go on to represent the Philippines in Miss International, Miss Intercontinental, Miss Supranational, Miss Grand International, as well as several other important international beauty pageants.







This past Monday, the very important National Costume Competition was held, where all the 40 beautiful contestants vying for the top crown modeled their very best in Filipino National Costume style in categories including Red Carpet Showstoppers, Bridal Fantasies, Flore de Mayo Fashions, Traditional Costumes, and Filipiniana Fantasies. The Costume Couture showcased the creativity of veteran as well as young up-and-coming Filipino designers from all over the country. During Monday's "National Costume Competition", the Top 10 costume designs were chosen by a panel of judges and the winner will be announced on the Final Grand Coronation Night...but naturally, I wanted to offer MY TOP 15! So...here are MY TOP BEST NATIONAL COSTUMES of Binibining Pilipinas 2017:



All photos courtesy of Binibing Pilipinas Facebook and Photographer Raymond Saldaña



No. 1:



Contestant #32 Charmaine Elima: Charmaine is wearing my TOP FAVORITE design in these National Costumes of Binibinig Pilipinas 2017 National Costumes Competition. The “La Reina Emperatiz” creation is from designer Pablo Galicia Mendez III and it is just EXQUISTE, fabulous and costume-exciting! The entire look is giving me FASHION Couture, Runway Fab, as well as being National Costume spectacular. She looks like a Catholic Virgin/Icon and Filipina Diva...all in one!



No. 2:


Contestant #15 Maria Angelica de Leon: de Leon is wearing this Filipiniana Terno design from Cary Santiago. The nude/blush with white applique design is beautiful, elegant and impacting. I love the headdress and the fans. It may be simple (for Binibining Pilipinas Pageant standards) but...it was chic and runway fab and still had that "National Costume" essence.



No. 3:



Contestant #28 Juliana Kapeundl: Juliana's ballgown design was created by Chico Estiva and I loved it. It was very "Carnival Queen" with elements of a Dior gown form the early 50's. I liked the silver organza with white scroll-like applique as well as the exaggerated peplum and neck/collar design.



No. 4:



Contestant #4 Jessica Ramirez: Jessica's blush-pink design was my No. 4 of top favorite National Costumes. I thought this Terno was elegant, Couture-like in its fabrication and simple details and I especially liked the gold sequined embellishments. She looked like the girlfriend--or wife--of a VERY RICH--Filipino businessman (or Ambassador)...who lived in Switzerland!



 No. 5:



Contestant #9 Vanessa Saliba: This silver mermaid-style Terno costume was one of the best. In fact, I put her in my Top Five! The amount of technical, pattern and design work alone...should give this design an award! I loved the fit, the silhouette and the layers upon layers of iridescent organza volants/ruffles on the gown-skirt. From head to toe, this was pretty stunning!



No. 6:



Contestant #16 Larah Grace Lacap: Larah Grace is wearing a very traditional design featuring a pañuelo (or scarf/shawl in English) by Adriano Samar. I loved this costume design because it reminded me of those old vintage photos of gorgeous Filipina beauties from the 30's/40's--if not earlier. The entire costume was Vintage Couture but still fresh and fab.




No. 7:



Contestant #31 Katarina Sonja Rodriguez: Katarina wore this design by Filipino wedding gown designer-of-the-moment Francis Libiran. This gown featured a blush/nude organza base with exquisite emerald blue sequined applique.  I LOVED the cascade back overskirt as well as Haute Couture-like embellishment/trim. This was like if an early 1980's Miss Venezuela Guy Meliet-designed Gown ...married a Chanel Couture gown. Simply Gorgeous!



No. 8:



Contestant #22 Chanel Olive Thomas: Chanel is one of the only designs I included which would fall into the "Indigenous/Tribal"-like Category (since most of the ones I chose were more Traditional Ternos). I thought this Muslim-inspired Edwin Uy design was quite impacting. I loved the gold and red coloring and fabrication in this beautiful Maranao princess costume. Besides the main gown, the accessories--headdress and fans--were FANTASTIC! Chanel truly was a Marano DIVA!



No. 9:


Contestant #10 Jehza Mae Huelar: Jehza was very impacting in this Erich Miñoza mascota design, inspired by the Philippine eagle. I loved the entire design and especially how the pañuelo around her shoulders/arms mimicked the wings of an eagle. The headdress symbolized the head of the eagle and notice the feather-like applique on the edges of the pañuelo. I just wished that same feather-like accent would have been carried onto the lower portion of the gown. 



No. 11:


Contestant #39 Elizabeth Durado Clenci: This design was in the "Bridal Fantasies" category. And it was one of my top favorites of that group. I thought it was modern, runway-fab and on-trend. I liked the 40's-like peplum silhouette as well as incorporation of the beaded Terno "butterfly" sleeves and bodice. The tulle cape and up-do hairstyle added the right amount of stage drama.



No. 11:


Contestant #40 Kristel Guelos: Simple, elegant, chic. I liked this golden/nude colored gown worn by Kristel. The sequined applique detail was beautiful and I loved the fit as well as back overskirt. The golden crown/headdress was also quite regal.



No. 12:




Contestant #12 Angelique Celine De Leon: I swear it was a complete accident that Contestant #12 ended up in my twelfth spot for Top 15 Favorite National Costumes. I thought this was a GORGEOUS design--worthy of a runway show, as well as red carpet--and even a wedding. Oh, and yes, it was a very nice Filipino National Costume! This Val Taguba design was perfect enough to be reproduced for a Binibining Pilipinas Barbie Doll!



No. 13:



Contestant #17 Camille Manalo: This design combined the costume with a bit of religious campiness and even, a little bit of fashion! I liked the dramatic reveal of the Patron Saint Our Lady of Candelabria and the delicate lace applique trim and pañuelo-accented ballgown design. The "Virgin"-like headdress/crown was quite exquisite as well!



No. 14:


Contestant #26 Ruffa Nava: John Cliff designed this gown which featured a mermaid-like silhouette and also resembled a Phoenix rising from the ashes...of Terno Fabulousness! I loved the ombre-like sequin work that went from black to fire red at the bottom. It was very Spanish Sevillana and yet still Filipiniana Terno Queen-like. If there was any criticism, it wold be the odd canoe-shaped bottom details. I almost wanted to put rolls of sushi...or lumpia in them---and serve them as Gown Couture appetizers!



Finally...No. 15:



Contestant #13 Sirene Sutton: First of all: Sirene is ESSSSTUNNEEEENG!!!! Hello! OK, now that I have gotten that of the way, it's time to discuss her "National Costume". It was "original to say the least. And I liked it enough to place her as my No. 15 in my Top 15! Designer Roland Alzete created this one shoulder asymmetrical design and it was just right for this supermodel beauty. In all honesty, I loved the "Official Portrait" (lower photo above) more than how she showed it on the National Costume Competition runway. I also wasn't really a fan of her shoes. But...I loved the sequin fish-and-angels watercolor illustrations in the gown and I appreciated how this designer stepped out of the "National Costume" design box.





Which Binibining Pilipinas 2017 National Costumes were YOUR favorites??? Let me know by leaving your comments here after my blog!