Celebrating the triumph of the new Miss World

By  Gladys Rodríguez-Dod
Exclusively By Rex Fabrics
Fine Fabrics from Around the World

Although centuries ago it was common in Europe to choose symbolic kings and queens for the festivities of different holidays, with the winners representing the virtues of the nation as well as other abstract ideas, the concept of the beauty pageants is more recent.

In 1854 P. T. Barnum, an entrepreneur and American circus artist, organized the first pageant ever known; but it was canceled due to protests. Many argue the absurdity of establishing a contest based mainly on personal beauty; however, judges also take into account the talent, personality and intelligence of the contestants. This attitude takes a turn during the Second World War, when the young women began selling bonds across the country and entertaining the troops. It seemed natural then to show a woman’s beauty and personal qualities in these events, as well as her love of country, thereby legitimizing the pageants completely.

Much later pageants were held to celebrate different events, and in some the prizes were scholarships for university studies; but it is in 1951, founded by Eric Morley, that Miss World surges, one of the best known events all around the globe. Today it still has the same luster of years ago, and each time they choose a different country to hold the competition and the various festivities that will take place. The same occurs with Miss Universe, founded a year later (in 1952) to great acclaim.

Personally, I love these pageants and over the years we have seen different countries joining them and showing their culture through their representative. I love to see the “parade of the nations” where each contestant wears the traditional national costume of the country they represent, as well as when she shows her beauty and aplomb modeling the evening gowns, which have been lovingly crafted for them by local designers and offers us a view of what is crated in every nation.

This year the Miss World organizers decided that the bikini was not going to be part of their agenda, and the contestants wore beautiful swimsuits with cute sarongs, looking more stylish and flattering and praising their curves with more class. The initiative was a concession to Indonesia, a country that has the largest Muslim population in the world, where a small group of extremists live and felt the contest was disrespectful to their religion.

As a result, the competition was moved to the beautiful island of Bali, thus avoiding protests and threats. (Can we forget when the genius of Karl Lagerfeld came up with the idea of creating a collection with words from the Koran and it was the first time that the house of Chanel closed the doors of the rue Cambon, due to the controversy that emerged from the same extremist group?)

But having a backdrop of such beauty as Bali, with its beautiful rice terraces, precious vegetation, and their wonderful art, the event was a success, naming as the five finalists the representatives of Brazil, Spain, France, Ghana and the winner, the beautiful Miss Philippines, Megan Young.

It was very interesting to see the fancy fabrics that also reigned... with exquisite chiffons, bead and stone embroideries  and opulent lace, all favorites of the designers, who made a feast of colors and elegance out of these beautiful gowns.

I could not stop thinking that here at Rex Fabrics we have an extraordinary selection of fabrics whose beauty leaves us breathless and will make us feel as a contestant of an important beauty pageant. And… why not? Among my favorite materials are the chiffons. These, in pleated and intense shades, are marvelously luxurious. Another option is lace embroidered with stones… luxurious, opulent, chic. And what can we say about today’s fancy textures which are so fashionable!

Going back to the pageant, the new Miss World will be its ambassadress for a year, a role that beautiful Megan will know how to represent to perfection and who possess a spectacular beauty that reflects the Filipino woman, becoming the first winner from her country. Could one ask for more?