Beauty Pageant Minute: The new Miss France 2012--and her "Scarlett O'Hara Gone With The Wind" Gown!

Miss Scarlett O'Hara of France Is...

Delphine Wespiser, "Miss Alsace" was crowned "Miss France 2012" and will compete in the 2012 edition of Miss Universe

This past Saturday, France crowned its 65th beauty queen. She represented Alsace, the fifth-smallest of the 27 regions of France, on the Eastern border, adjacent to Germany and Switzerland. Her name is Delphine Wespiser, she's a red-haired, 19 year-old management student and is 1.75 meters (5' 9"). The new "Miss France" was crowned at a televised show (shown on TF1) and held at the Penfeld Parc des Expositions in Brest.

Who Me? Delphine Wespiser, "Miss Alsace" reacts as her name is called out as "Miss France 2012"

She was crowned by last year's winner, the lovely Laury Thilleman--who was a favorite at "Miss Universe 2011" but didn't make the semi-finalist cut. Delphine's first and second runner-up of the event were Miss Pays de Loire, Mathilde Couly, and Miss Reunion, Marie Payet, respectively.

The Miss France pageant is an annual beauty pageant whose competitors are regional winners of local contests in Metropolitan France as well as its overseas territories like Reunion (Indian Ocean, near Africa) Guyane (South America), Martinique (Caribbean), Tahiti (South Pacific/Oceania) and so on. Last year there was a big brouhaha because it was the first year the "Miss France DIVA Doyenne", Genevieve de Fontenay was not director of the pageant and she, held her own separate "Miss France" contest.

A Kiss from Alain: French actor Alain Delon gives a congratulatory kiss to the new "Miss France", Delphine Wespiser

This year's pageant was hosted by Jean-Pierre Foucault and the General Director of the Miss France, "Miss France 2002" Sylvie Tellier. Actor--and French GOD--Alain Delon--was also on hand to crown the winner, Delphine. Speaking of the winner...

Swimsuit Delphine: Here is the new "Miss France" during the Swimsuit Competition on Saturday night. The Lycra stretch one-piece gold swimsuits featured lots of crystals, illusion front neckline panels and a multi-tiered tulle overskirt. I almost thought I was looking at photos form an ISU Grand Prix Ice Dancing Competition! I really hope they were playing Barry Manilow's "Copacabana" while they did their swimsuit runway strut! These swimsuits were extra fabulous for sure.

Mini Scarlett: "Miss Alsace" Delphine Wespiser (and future "Miss France") during the "Scarlett O'Hara"-themed portion of the night's televised pageant (don't ask, it's the French!).

Now, lets discuss the Quinceañera-like gowns the finalist wore. Please.

Sylvie Tellier (on the left) is thinking "Thank Dieu I am NOT wearing THAT!"

What Does This:


Have to do with this:

Scarlett O'Hara Queens: The Top Two, "Miss Pays de Loire" (left) and "Miss Alsace" (right) as "Miss France 2012" is about to be announced

The evening gowns of the finalists for "Miss France" is for some reason a BALL GOWN affair. It has been like this for several years now (maybe it's a crowning/finalist tradition). I just don't get it. For a country so synonymous with FASHION and Haute Couture and STYLE, for that matter, why oh why, do their beauty pageant girls wear these over-the-top, tacky-licious, "Princess"/top-of-a-wedding cake gowns. There is a complete disconnect. Seriously, take a look at the photo above: they are wearing THE SAME big tacky gown...But different color ways!

There must be a gown sponsor who provides these dresses (and therefore they have to wear them). Or maybe it is a "Princess Sissi" (above) or Scarlett O'Hara Gown theme for all the finalists. But imagine if someone like Fashion Designer extraordinaire Alber Elbaz was asked to create his interpretation of those gowns? That, I would see.

Don't Cry...you don't have to wear that gown ever again!

Oh well, maybe next year, the organization will change it's Quinceañera ways and get with the 2012 program and have the girls wear some GORGEOUS Stephane Rolland Haute Couture gowns! Anything but those polyester iridescent organza "Toddlers & Tiaras" styles would be a good change. Something tells me that Delphine won't be wearing that (above) at the 2012 Miss Universe pageant--as long as MY French Gays get to her!

Click Below for the Crowning Moment of "Miss France 2012":

Miss World 2011 Evening Gowns: The Best!

A Worldly Gown-Fest!!

Ole!: Miss Spain World 2011 Carla Garcia, Miss World 2011 Top Model/World Designer Presentation Show--one of my favorites in the evening gown "Top Model/World Designer" category. Score: 9.4

The 61st edition of the Miss World Beauty Pageant is taking place right now in London. The final LIVE telecast will be this Sunday, November 6th, 2011 at Earls Court Two . It will be broadcast in the US on E! Entertainment LIVE on Sunday morning/afternoon (check your local cable listings) and PS: I can't wait!! I'll be makin' coffee and cooking a special "Miss World Omelet for the occasion! A total of 113 contestants from all over the world will be competing, that's the highest amount for an international beauty pageant this year. The other "biggie"-- Miss Universe--had only 89 countries and territories represented.

Miss World 2011 Contestants pose in the London Eye Ferris wheel, London UK

The lovely ladies have been enjoying their time at the parties, Galas, and sightseeing throughout Great Britain. They've also been competing: part of the pageant includes something called the "Fast Track" Competitions where Finalists get placed if they do well in the "Beach Beauty", "Talent", "Sports" and "Top Model" competitions. Last week, the "Top Model" and "World Designer" presentations occurred which of course, is what I'm interested in.

Thames Beauties: Miss World 2011 Contestants pose with Big Ben in the background

For the "World Designer Award" competition, the contestants were asked to model creations by fashion designers from their native lands. It is sort of understood that they should be in evening gowns and not necessarily "Costumes" (just you wait for my "Oh NO!" posting). It's about giving a local designer their "crown" as Best Miss World Evening Gown Designer. So, without further ado: here are my "Nick Top Picks" for Best in Evening Gown. I will also do "Oh Huney, What Were You Thinking?/Miss World Hoochie Gown" and "Is That A Costume?" blog postings, so don't you worry...

But now, let's talk about the Good Ones:

Miss Hungary World 2011 Linda Szunai: Gorgeous! Subtle. Sublime. Elegant. Is it safe? Yes. But is it beautiful? Yes again. Great fit, great colors, and oh, she looks so pretty! Score: 9.7

Miss South Africa World 2011 Bokang Montjane: This strapless vanilla/light lemon yellow colored gown works all the right "pageant magic". There's nothing costume-y or tacky about it. It might be a little Wedding-and-Prom-a-licious...but on Bokang, she gives it a certain flair of elegance and "I'm one of the more Wealthy Wedding Guests" look to it. Score: 9.2

Miss Venezuela World 2011 Ivian Sarcos: Well, well, well, leave it to a Miss Venezuela to BRING IT, when it comes to evening gowns. This one-shoulder copper colored jersey design was modern and sultry enough to capture everyone's attention--especially mine! Ivian can go from this presentation to a major red carpet event and still end up on the "Best Dressed" list, the following day! Score: 9.7

Miss Canada World 2011 Riza Raquel Santos: The exotic Riza Raquel wore a structured and architectural strapless column gown in black and silver. Love the directionality of the gown and how well it fits her. And I also admire its interesting folded front detail. A stunner! Score: 9.5

Miss Puerto Rico World 2011 Amanda Vilanova: A beautifully beaded--and expensive-looking-- gown. Very "Hollywood Starlet-meets-Beauty Pageant Winner". I love how it's heavily beaded with multi-colored stones and sequins at the torso, then carefully degrades to the rest of the nude-colored gown. Thank goodness it was LINED (thank you Amanda!), otherwise it would have probably ended in my "Miss World Hoochie" section. Finally, the look on her face tells it all "I will Steal Your Man...with this dress!". Score: 9.5

Miss India World 2011 Kanishtha Dhankar: Kanishtha's gown was similar--in its tone and use of beading--to the previous one from Miss Puerto Rico World 2011. India is famous for its intricate and GORGEOUS sequin-and-beaded fabrics (I've ordered many and used it in my NIKOLAKI collections), so it makes sense for her to feature that with her choice of gown. From the waist up, she does look a little like a Figure Skater, but as you may know: I love me some Figure Skating Costumes! Score: 9.4

Miss China PR 2011 Liu Chen: As we know, in China, the color red is known for fortune, courage, loyalty, success, happiness, and so on. Liu's high-necked gown features red applique and embellishments that are heavy at the torso and then cascade down lightly to the rest of the fit-and-flared gown. It makes a strong statement and therefore, she ends up on my "Top" list here. Score: 9.4

Miss Georgia World 2011 Janet Kerdikoshvili: Finally, I wanted to add Miss Georgia World 2011 to my list. Lots of those Eastern European/former Soviet Republic girls usually tend to go "Gown Koo-Koo" (wait for my next post kids!) but Janet did not. Does it look like a Wedding Gown? Yes. It probably could be. But, at least it's not a tacky wedding gown. The Mermaid-like shape is on-trend and fits her beautifully and the beading doesn't look cheap. I wish her hair would have looked a little more modern and less crying out for a veil...but other than this, I love it! Score: 9.2

*Up Next: The Miss World 2011 Top Model/World Designer Evening Gowns: The "Huuuney, What Were You Thinking" Hoochie ladies...Stay tuned!