International Fashion Doyennes Tom & Lorenzo (of Project Rungay fame) just posted their thoughts on the show -
http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/2011/09/miss-universe-2011-national-costumes.html
Yeah, she should have been wearing jeans and a plaid shirt and a tuque. And earmuffs. And carrying a beer.
Poor Miss Bahamas- the dress budget went on the wings, so they just bedazzled her instead.
There is rather too much animal product on show for my taste- feathers, turtle shell etc. I just look at the South American ladies, and wonder if their outfits contributed to endangerment of any local bird species.
My favourites were Japan, Singapore and Egypt for elegance, and Romania for sense of humour.
A FB friend, from Brazil, linked to an editorial cartoon a while ago, regarding this…
First panel: Journalist asking bedazzled carnival hottie with few clothes and lots of feathery ornaments.
He: “So what does your costume represent?”
She (all smiles): “Oh, it’s about nature and conservation of our native fauna, we have to protect our environment blablabla”
Second panel: Some bird’s living room, a group of featherless birds are looking at the interview on TV. Their reaction to what they heard… well, imagine lots of cursing and yelling. 
I dunno, i thought the American “national costume” would be more along the lines of jeans and a T-shirt. And a baseball cap.
After looking through the gallery, let me just say that these contests should just automatically eliminate everybody who isn’t from South America or Eastern Europe.
On the news show I saw this morning, they were talking about the comments from the TV hosts during the competition. They said that this year they tried to make it as if it were a casual conversation one might have with friends at home, including some snark. They said that they wouldn’t repeat what was said about Mz. Brasil. Can anyone tell me if I missed something salacious or funny?
Thanks!
I thought I was looking at an episode of Buck Rogers from the eighties, with some of those costumes.
Declan
Loving the snark. Part two.
“Our fish have tits!”
T Lo made me laugh so hard, seriously I cried and almost choked I was laughing so hard. They nailed these over and over again.
I did like Ms. Ireland, all Boudica warrior woman like.
But Boudica was from the area around London. And what was with the pair of swords?
http://beautypageantnews.com/irelands-national-costume-for-miss-universe-2011/
A more detailed view of Miss Ireland’s costume (only half of it though). I like it much more having seen this, the other picture makes it much harder to see the detail and the colours.
Miss Nigeria was the best kindergarten macaroni art of all time.
I think Miss Ukraine did her skirt using the Christmas ornaments from Target.
Love Miss Greece’s Aphrodite look, and Miss France’s Marie Antoinette.
Miss Finland’s visual representation of a lot of fucking ice was nice.
What’s up with Miss Serbia wearing pants, and Miss Croatia dressing up like a valentine?
Miss Denmark is going to go get married at the Renaissance Festival right after the pageant.
Is Miss Czech Republic supposed to be a purse?
Miss Hungary…mrrrrow!
Miss Nigeria kind of creeped me out. She looked like some sightless fantasy elite guard from a movie or something.
I am still laughing at their commentary several days later.
Dude, that is not at all Ren.
… man I’m a nerd. (enough that I looked is up. It might pass as very very late Renaissance, but most RenFaires are English set during Elizabeth’s reign.)
Peru’s is awesome. USA is disturbing.
I thought Miss Egypt and Miss Trinidad were channeling Fran Drescher–which is something positive in my book. And, yeah, I liked the blood-stained lips effect on Miss Romania, too.
I need somebody to explain Miss Sweden. Are there really a lot of peacocks there?
Venezuela’s was so beautiful. I just loved it.
These costumes are truly cracktacular in the best way possible.
Her hair is obviously evocative of a Phrygian cap.
So she’s either a Phrygian, a French revolutionary, or a smurf.