Miss World 2011 Ivian Sarcos of Venezuela: Radiant in Yellow!

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Latina Victoria Beckham: "Miss World 2011" Ivian Sarcos, in Venezuela at a press conference--looked chic in a fitted mustard yellow dress

The newly-crowned "Miss World 2011", Ivian Sarcos returned to her native land, Venezuela, on December 3rd this past weekend--to a "Heroes Welcome". Ivian's schedule in Caracas was filled with lots of press conferences, TV appearances and official visits.

Pink Queen: Ivian Sarcos, "Miss World 2011" right after she was crowned in London

After being crowned the 60th Miss World (and SIXTH from Venezuela) in London in a televised gala watched by millions of worldwide viewer, she traveled home with Miss World Organization Co-Chair Julia Morley, to be congratulated, say "Gracias" (Thank You) and "Te Quiero" (I Love You) to her country...

"Miss World 2011" Ivian Sarcos and Miss World Organization "First Lady" Julia Morley, Caracas Venezuela Press Conference

Besides her many appearances, she was also there to discuss her "Beauty With A Purpose" schedule as the new Miss World for the upcoming year.

The 5' 11" beauty look radiant for her Venevision (Venezuelan TV Network) Press Conference this week, wearing a mustard yellow fitted below-the-knee drop-shoulder dress accessorized with royal blue and crystal stacked peep-toe pumps. She looked like a Latina Victoria Beckham!

Much better than that strapless pink "frothy" organza-and-sequins gown she won the title in: she looked modern, directional, and yes, MUY Chic! Me gusto!

Poppa Beauty: Miss Venezuela Organization Director Osmel Sousa (Left) with "Miss World 2011" Ivian Sarcos, Venevision Studios, Caracas Venezuela

Ivian also reunited with Miss Venezuela Organization President and Pageant Guru Osmel Sousa, who lavished her--and Julia Morley with gifts from the House of Cartier (must be nice!). As the new "Miss World", she will travel to many countries to spread the "Beauty With A Purpose" message as well as crown various national pageant winners. After Venezuela, Ivian is scheduled to go to Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Australia New Zealand, Peru , Mongolia, China, Indonesia and the Philippines, among others. I am SO jealous of the Frequent Flyer Mileage she is going to rack up!! Buena Suerte (Good Luck) y Buen Viaje (Bon Voyage) Ivian!!!

Pageant Minute: Miss Venezuela Evening Gowns--The "Nick V. Top Five" List!

Which One Of The Girls Below Made My "Top Gowns" List" (Hint: Only TWO!!)...

Will Nick Like My Gown: The Miss Venezuela 2011 Top 5 Finalists

This past Saturday was the 59th Annual "Miss Venezuela" pageant, arguably--next to Miss Universe and Miss World--the MOST IMPORTANT Beauty Pageant in the WOOOOORLD!! Why? Well, just because of the fact that Venezuela has won so many international beauty pageant titles, as well as the fact that "pageant watchers" always look to who wins the Miss Venezuela as a barometer of "She's the One To Beat!" when it comes to going on to international pageants--think Superbowl or the World Cup.

Gown Girls: Miss Venezuela 2011 contestants, during the Evening Gown portion (photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net)

A lot of people also watch the pageant for its evening gowns. I have....since I was a little boy. So, now that I am a big boy...it's time to RATE the "Miss Venezuela 2011 Evening Gowns". Now, let me begin with the fact that I was very happily surprised that besides the entire telecast--the gowns (overall) were "toned down" --well, for Miss Venezuela standards. Lately, they have been looking cheap, over-the-top Drag-Queen-y and rather out-of-touch with the 21st Century and what one sees on the actual Red Carpet. But this year, either the Cisneros Group cracked down on the "Gown Budget" or someone closely involved with the evening gown selection has been looking at my past "Miss" evening gown blogs. Before I give you my "Mejor (Best) of the Bunch". Saturday night's pageant actually gave Prizes for "Best 'Miss Venezuela 2011' Venezuelan Designers/Best Gowns". Three of them.

The Top Prizes went to:

Miss Anzoategui Evening Gown, Designer Douglas Tapia

Miss Sucre/Miss Venezuela 2011 Evening Gown, Designer Gionni Straccia...and

Miss Yaracuy Evening Gown, Designer Nidal Nouaihed

Here's a big shocker: I did not agree with these Top 3. I know, the next time I visit the country I was raised in, I might risk having Arepas being thrown at me. Now, I thought those three were "OK" but here are my Top Picks for Best Gowns of "Miss Venezuela 2011"...if I was giving out those prizes:

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Number 1--Miss Guarico Blanca Aljibes: Her off-white silk crepe gown was designed by Venezuelan Gionni Straccia and she gets my Nick V. TOP Choice for Best Gown. The minute she walked onstage, I was like "OK, Get it GIRL!".

It was simple, elegant, no "Pageant Betty" HOOCHIE SLIT up to you-know-where. I also loved the structured shoulder/front torso panels. Loved the sequined waist trim as well. I admit, I am not so much a fan of the "covered-but-not-covered" nude/illusion neckline panel and yes, we can still see THE SISTAHS/cleavage (good job Official Miss Venezuela Plastic Surgeon, by the way!) But...other than this: A very chic, modern gown. Score: 9.9

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Number 2--Miss Merida Yasmeira Gutierrez: Sunning! It was a strapless silver-and-gold sequined silk organza gown from Venezuelan designer Gionni Straccia (yes, once again of course!). In case you haven't been keeping up with the latest Spring 2012 Collections from NY, Milan and Paris, it is ALL about all over sequined gowns. But done right. And Straccia did it right: it's still modern, fresh and wow, so NOT pageant-y (Gracias for not adding the too-high slit). This gown could work at the Oscars, Emmys, Cannes. Or Miss Universe. Score: 9.8

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Number 3--Miss Nueva Esparta Maria Quinones: Guess who designed this gown--my Third Choice for "Best Miss Venezuela 2011" gown? Yep, Gionni Straccia, again. He's on a roll. At least with me. I really liked this gown. First, it was very modern and directional--for "Miss Venezuela" standards. And it fits her very well...

It featured red laser-cut applique', shoulder cap sleeve detail and had a very Alexander McQueen and/or Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy-look to it. Again, I am not a fan of the illusion-covered front section (how about making it not so plunging and not adding that?) and I felt like it could have been longer and more dramatic at the bottom. But, overall, it was a FAB gown! Score: 9.7

Number 4--Miss Sucre Irene Esser: Yes, the new Miss Venezuela made my list. Gionni Straccia also designed her gown, and won a trophy for it. It was a metallic gown with degrade' sequin embellishments, long sleeves and a see-through plunging neckline. It was a very impacting gown, but not my Top Favorite. I loved how the hand-applied crystals and paillettes were placed--especially on the neckline and shoulders. I just had a BIG problem with Irene's over-arching-her-back posing. Score: 9.5

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Number 5--Miss Tachira Milagro Manrique: Douglas Tapia designed this stunning deep red silk ziberline mermaid-shaped gown. It was PERFECTION. The twisted pleated at the bust was great, the one-shoulder crystal strap, the fit: well done. Of course, I also love it because it actually reminds me of...

One of my NIKOLAKI Spring 2011 Gowns (above)--in the same fabrication but different color.

Honorable Mentions for Best Gowns:

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Miss Vargas Sara Coello: Venezuelan Pageant go-to guy Gionni Straccia designed this violet-colored strapless gown for Sara. It featured laser-cut metalized leather applique' at the torso down to the thigh area and then flared out. I thought it was futuristic, very sleek , Milan runway-ready, and a departure from those "Gay Pride Float" gowns we were used to seeing in the past Miss Venezuela pageants. I also liked it because...

It was very Versace Fall 2010.

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Miss Miranda Mariel Zamora: Mariel wore one of my favorite gowns of the night and therefore I had to give her an "Honorable Mention" here. The turquoise silk ziberline gown featured a one-shoulder strap detail, side exaggerated cascade drapes and sequin crystals throughout.

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

It was created by the Barcelona Spain-based Pro Novias and it was part of its Haute Couture line. Yes, it was a bit "over-the-top" but at the same time, it had the perfect amount of DRAMA and Alta Moda touch to it, that it brought back some of the nostalgia of the "Miss Venezuela" 1980's Evening Gown heyday.

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

Miss Barinas Astrid Lozada: Gionni Straccia also designed this baby-blue silk chiffon one-shoulder gown. It was sexy and "Beauty Pageant" perfect enough for me to give it an "Honorable Mention". It had a ruched/gathered torso, gathered flowing skirt and was accented with oversized silver sequined trim detail. It had a high side slit but somehow (because of the fullness of the skirt) managed not to look like she was trying to, well, get PREGNANT!

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

This gown above is a quintessential Gionni Straccia-type gown which EVERY Pageant Girl--worth her Sash wants, and many Pageant-and-Prom "Knock-Off" companies are copying. And this is why it deserved, a "Nick V. Honorable Mention" in the "Best of the Miss Venezuela 2011" Category.

And now, to my REAL Best Dressed of "Miss Venezuela 2011":

Leonardo Villalobos (above and below) co-host of the Miss Venezuela 2011 Pageant. Venezuelan TV presenter/host for Venevision, Leonardo Villalobos looked absolutely DASHING on Saturday night's telecast. His tuxedo was sleek; the roll of his shawl collar--and how it always invisibly blended into the line of the shoulder of this jacket--was so beautiful. That. My Kids. Is. Perfect Tailoring.

Photo courtesy of bellezavenezolana.net

I have no idea who designed and created his tuxedo but...KUDOS. Seriously, Leonardo was better dressed than some of the Misses in contention. Just sayin. Dios Mio!

OK, now that I am done with my "Miss Venezuela 2011" Best Gowns...next up: The "Ayyy Mija" (Oh Dear! What Were You Thinking?)...Here's a Peek:

Miss Apure: Is that my COUTURE COOOCHIE?????

Pageant Minute: Miss Venezuela 2011--Favorites for the Crown!

Who. Will. Be. Venezuela's. Next. Top...Beauty Queen?

Ciao Vanessa: Miss Venezuela 2010 Vanessa Goncalves, last year, after getting her crown, sash and bouquet

This upcoming Saturday night, October 15th will be the LIVE Finale Telecast of the 59th Annual Miss Venezuela Beauty Pageant. Up until 2009, the pageant-known for its FANTABULOUS excess and over-the-top production numbers, had been held at the huge Poliedro, an indoor sports arena that can hold up to 13,000 people. But this year it will be held at Estudio 1 in the Venevisión Caracas Studios.

Since, 1981, The pageant has been owned by the Cisneros Group with multi-billionaire Gustavo Cisneros as its president. The charismatic Osmel Sousa has been the pageant's director since 1979, and has become known as the "Beauty Pageant Guru" and "Creator of Beautiful Women". Under Sousa's iron-hand/direction, it has accumulated more international beauty pageant titles than any other country in the world: six Miss Universe winners, five Miss World winners, six Miss International winners and one Miss Earth, among many many others. On a personal note, my sister, Rita was a Miss Venezuela contestant back in 1988, representing "Municipio Vargas". Sousa sent her to Ecuador where she also became the "Vireina del Banano" and did quite well representing Venezuela internationally.

Osmel Sousa and the Miss Venezuela 2011 Contestants

On the Final Live Telecast night, there are "official judges"--usually comprised of celebs, actors, former Misses, as well as top Caracas "society" Doyennes. It is pretty widely rumored, however, among pageant circles, that the Miss Venezuela Organization already "pre-picks" who the Top Winners are--meaning the ones who go on to Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss International--MONTHS ahead of the final pageant. It makes sense. They know who really is prepared to take the crown since they have been with them for well--a year of training...

Bella Alicia: Miss Venezuela 1995 and Miss Universe 1996, Alicia Machado, being crowned by Miss Universe 1995, USA's Chelsi Smith

Sometimes, however, there are "surprises", like when Alicia Machado won Miss Venezuela 1995. Beauty Pageant "chisme" has it that she wasn't supposed to win but rather another contestant. But the night of the pageant, she won the crowd--and the Miss Venezuela title-- with her natural charisma and non "Pageant Betty" personality. Machado went on to win the Miss Universe 1996 title in Las Vegas and, bring Donald Trump lots of press with her love of chocolate chip cookies and weight gain. But now, back to this year's contest...

Miss Venezuela 2011 Contestants: So...who are the Favorites this year? Twenty-four contestants are vying for the title...so who has Osmel's "eye":

The Favorite and Most-Likely To Win: Irene Sofia Esser Quintero, Miss Sucre. She's only 19 (a baby!) in pageant years, and stands 178 cm (5' 10"). Irene is the clear favorite for the title of Miss Venezuela 2011 to then go on and represent the South American nation in next year's Miss Universe pageant. Interestingly enough, she's the ONLY ONE with a Wikipedia page (are pageant organizers already preparing for her win?).

Future Miss Venezuela for Miss Universe 2012? Irene Esser, Miss Sucre 2011

Irene (pronounced Eee-rainay in Español) is a gorgeous brunette with brown eyes, a great body and an "international" non-Latina surname. I guarantee that she'll have a very nice gown by one of the top Venezuelan designers the night of the final competition. We will see Saturday night.

Second Favorita: Gabriela Ferrari Peirano, Miss Distrito Capital (The Capital City, Caracas) 20 years old and stands 176 cm (about 5' 9"). Dark blond hair and brown eyes. And yes, she's part Italian, darlings. She has that quintessential "Miss Venezuela" look to her. Lots of blond beauties have won internationally for Venezuela (Irene Saez, Miss Universe 1981, Pilin Leon Miss World 1981, etc.). the chisme is that she'll get the First Runner Up or Miss World Venezuela title, and go on to represent her country in the Miss World 2012 Pageant--which occurs in OVER a YEAR from now (lots of time to prepare!).

More Favorites: Miss Yaracuy Osmariel Maholi Villalobos Atencio. Osmariel is a model from Maracaibo (not in the State she is representing) and stands 5' 7". Short for "Miss Venezuela" standards...

But she makes up for it in her rather stunning natural beauty, as seen from her model photos above. I like her sooooo much better in these photos as opposed to the "Official Miss Venezuela" one.

Another Blond: Yes, kids, there are plenty more blonds that might make the Finalista cut on Saturday. According to some of my Missosologist (pageant expert) friends, Miss Carabobo, Isabela Ramos Cano, 21 is a favorite for the Top 5. Not the Winner, not the First Runner Up, but maybe for Miss International, Miss Earth, etc. She's tall--almost 6 feet (5' 11"). She has an AMAZING "Victoria's Secret" Swimsuit Model body (a year of training baby!). And oh, she's gorgeous!

We Need Some Color: Finally, we have Ivany Nayexy Guzmán Herrera, Miss Delta Amacuro. She's another favorite but again, not to take home the Top Crown but one of the "We'll send her abroad to represent Venezuela in some other international pageant". Ivany is ethnic (LOVE that!) and has that mestiza/bi-racial look to her, that is actually very indicative and representative of the fabulous Euro-Black-Indian mix of a lot of the Venezuelan population. She's 22, from Caracas and stands 5' 10".

We'll see who will be the next Miss Venezuela! Stay tuned here on my BLOG because you KNOW I'll be doing my "What Was She Wearing?" Gown Recap!!!!

Miss Venezuela 2010: The Evening Gown Wrap-Up: Nick Verreos Picks the "Muy Bueno" and "Oh No!"

Venezuela's Queen of Beauty Is...

Vanessa Goncalves, "Miss Miranda". 5'9", 24 year old Vanessa was crowned last week in a four hour ceremony that for the first time was held in oil-rich Maracaibo, Venezuela. The Miss Venezuela Pageant is famous for being "The International Beauty Factory" since they have had so many Miss Universes (TWO back to back in 2008 and 2009 with Dayana Mendoza and Stefania Fernandez), Miss Worlds, Miss Internationals, and so on.

Pre-Blond: Brunette Vanessa Goncalves, the new Miss Venezuela 2010

I grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and my sister Rita,was a contestant in Miss Venezuela 1988 so I have been a fan of the pageant, well, since "back in the day"! I know all the in's and out's of the pageant (my sis gave me all the dish!) . But many people already know that the pageant is ruled with a firm hand by "Beauty Pageant Czar" Osmel Sousa.

Pre-tan: The new Miss Venezuela 2010, Vanessa Goncalves

He chooses the women to compete each year via castings and then "gives" them the State they will represent so most of the time, the girls do not even hail from the state/region they are representing (there are one or two state contests that then send their winner to the Miss Venezuela). They go through an intense one year training program; there's an in-house Plastic Surgeon, a Dentist, as well as runway and voice coaches. It's SERIOUS!!! It is widely rumored that Sousa also chooses months ahead--if not one year --who the winner will be. He also chooses the gowns that each of "his girls" will wear.

In Their Thrones: Miss Venezuela for Miss Universe 2011 (left) and Miss Venezuela for Miss World 2011 (right)

The Miss Venezuela Pageant has always been famous for its gowns--be it over-the-Haute Couture to over-the-top tacky. But no "Happy Medium", just over the top. And this year, there was no shortage of both. It's a safe bet that whichever girl is wearing the "best gown" will probably win; it's not an accident. I just feel bad for the girls that get the "Oh what the heck is that?" gowns! They MUST know that, well, this ain't their year darling...

Now onto the Miss Venezuela 2010 Evening Gowns:

Blue Queen: One of the best gowns was worn was by The Winner (of course), Vanessa Goncalves, a baby blue silk Habotai multi-layered gown with coral sequin detail and high side slit (of course!) by Designer Gionni Straccia, who has designed the winning gowns for various Miss Venezuela's at the Miss Universe.

The jeweled detail is his "thing" and can also be seen on the gown Stefania Fernandez wore when she won Miss Universe 2009 as well as...

Miss Oklahoma USA 2010 Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, who was First Runner to Miss USA 2010 earlier this year, in this gown by Gionni Straccia.

1984 Overskirt: Miss Amazonas Ivian Sarcos was crowned Miss World Venezuela (First Runner Up) in this silver-gray strapless fitted gown with attached over-skirt by Rex Fabrics Miami (?). The base gown was fine by itself and didn't need that over-skirt but after all, it is the Miss Venezuela, and we must always take it, FIVE steps further. It's a little 1984 for me, but I still somehow liked it! (1984 was a good "Gown Year" I hear!).

It also reminded me of this fuchsia gown worn by Jacqueline Aguilera (from Venezuela of course!), when she was crowned Miss World 1995, which also featured this similar over-skirt silhouette. But again, this was 1995. That's FIFTEEN years ago!

Here's My Leg: My favorite of the entire night--gown and girl--was Miss Monagas--the exotically beautiful Angela Ruiz. She is SO Mestiza Filipina GORGEOUS!!! Pageant fans on the world-wide web argued that maybe she was "too exotic" to win the Miss Venezuela title.

Her blue-green one shoulder gown by Rafael Cennamo was Red Carpet Ready--I could totally see an A-List actress wear this at the Academy Awards--and I could still see her wear it at Miss Universe. Alas, she isn't going. She did make it to the Top 5 at least. How she didn't win is beyond me. Another favorite (gown) of mine was...

Miss Nueva Esparta Melanie Reza Feliz (who was a semi-finalist of course: Hello, pretty gown=Finalist!) in this bubblegum pink column gown with silver details. I'm a sucker for Bubblegum Pink...but NOT this Bubblegum Pink:

Now the Not-So-Bueno: Oh Dear! Miss Sucre Ariana Kuper Osorio sauntered onto the Miss Venezuela 2010 stage in this dress and it was just all about a mess! Needless to say, poor thang didn't even make the Semi-Finals. This silk gazar gown features a lot of Couture-worthy draping, folding and pleating...but maybe TOO MUCH! It was overwhelming and yes, she should have known when she got this dress that possibly she wasn't going to "make the cut".

Red Carpet Not: Another beauty who was "Gown-ill-advised" was Miss Cojedes Eliana Calicchia Arcila. Although in this photo, it doesn't look so bad but trust me kids, it wasn't good! She could barely walk in it (not a good sign) and looked like Big Bird after she got caught in a wind storm. In case you're wondering, yeah, she didn't make the top ten. I bet she doesn't even get to keep the gown (why would you want it?). But there was worse:

It's a Jumpsuit...No, It's A Gown: Miss Dependencias Federales Axel Lopez Aldana takes the "Miss Drag Queen Venezuela Gown Prize", for this concoction that I'm sure every Gay in the room was SCREAMING for (and not in a good way!). I give the designer and her "Nick V. Points" for being SO Camp--and the audacity of her to actually wear it--but seriously: What was she thinking? This is Miss Venezuela for the Miss Universe, not Miss Hot Stripper in Vegas.

See, this is why I LOVE the Miss Venezuela and the gowns! Until next year!