Las Vegas Weekly

August 17, 2010 · 11:43 AM

Miss Universe photos: Parade of national costumes causes a stir

By Don Chareunsy

Miss USA 2010 Rima Fakih poses for photographers in her national costume at Mandalay Bay on Aug. 16, 2010.

Photo: Patrick Prather/Miss Universe

By Don Chareunsy, Vegas DeLuxe editor

The 2010 Miss Universe Pageant at Mandalay Bay is less than one week away, but the annual international competition is already garnering headlines for unexpected reasons. The 83 contestants wore their national costumes in a parade at Mandalay Bay last night, and the ensembles worn by Miss USA Rima Fakih, Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell and Miss Venezuela Marelisa Gibson raised a few eyebrows.

Fakih’s gold outfit with larger-than-life wings was inspired by a bald eagle and designed by Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show costumer Martin Izquierdo; Campbell’s high-heeled Ugg boots, sheepskin shrug, one-piece swimsuit hand-painted by an Aboriginal artist and multicolored flamenco-style skirt has been lambasted as a “national joke and travesty”; and Gibson’s mirrored costume has been described as part disco ball and part Lady Gaga (that’s not a good thing?!).

Gibson has big shoes to fill, as the past two Miss Universe winners have hailed from Venezuela -- Dayana Mendoza in 2008 and reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez. One country has never produced three consecutive winners in the history of Miss Universe.

Vegas DeLuxe posted an exclusive interview with Fakih yesterday, along with seven Miss Universe photo galleries. Fakih told Mr. Vegas DeLuxe Robin Leach that her costume is a tribute to President Obama.

“The amazing costume I will be wearing during the Miss Universe Pageant represents the celebration of life, love, liberty and all that is American. The eagle holds an olive branch and arrows, which denote the powers of peace and war. The eagle faces right to show a preference to peace over war. The symbol of this costume is a tribute to your work to bring peace to the world.”

Meantime, Fernandez yesterday unveiled the official Miss Universe Couture Pop at Sugar Factory in The Mirage. The lollipop features a red-jeweled handle to honor her work with HIV/AIDS organizations this past year. Last night, she attended The Beatles’ Love by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. Cast members of Viva Elvis, the seventh Cirque show on The Strip, are scheduled to perform during the pageant.

The 2010 Miss Universe Pageant airs live on NBC next Monday from Mandalay Bay, and Vegas DeLuxe will be there. Miss Universe Pageant coverage continues each day until the competition and crowning of the winner.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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