Donald Trump Views Miss Universe Rehearsal August 23, 2009

The contestants take a break in rehearsals to meet Donald Trump, Phil Ruffin and Paula Shugart in the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis, Paradise Island Bahamas on August 21, 2009. The Miss Universe 2009 competition will air live on the NBC Television Network at 9:00 PM ET from ATLANTIS, Paradise Island, Bahamas on Sunday, August 23, 2009. HO/Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

Miss Universe Contestants in Float Parade in Nassau

Grand Bahama designer Basheva Eve shines at Miss Universe

By The Bahamas Weekly News Team

(l-r)Basheva Eve & Roland Epstein, photo: Lyndah Wells

Grand Bahamian Basheva Eve had the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase her designs at the 2009 Miss Universe Pageant held in Nassau on August 12th.

One of four designers selected for the event, Basheva Eve, of La Maison de Besh had three months to prepare 28 pieces for the show, but only one week to tweak the outfits after only one fitting took place with each pageant contestant.


Models fashion designed by Basheva Eve of La Maison de Besh. Each specifically designed outfit were created and tailored for each Miss Universe Contestant featuring Bahamian fabrics. The Fashion Showcase took place at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort August 12, 2009. Photographer: Matt Petit
All images courtesy of Miss universe Organisation




When asked how she felt about the opportunity to work with the world’s largest pageant and to receive such prominent exposure, Eve replied, “WOW! I felt it was a fabulous opportunity to have my work seen and appreciated by such a vast audience. It is so good when you receive positive feedback from your work. I think this exposure did much for my work in particular but also for the apparel / textile industry of the Bahamas in general.”


In describing her design-style for her pieces for the big show she said, “I believe our lifestyle in The Bahamas is one of ‘resort’, it is laid back yet clean, elegant, sophisticated, unique and classic. This is what I wanted to present to the world.”

Her outfits for the show featured hand batiked fabrics and plaited straw pieces. “The fabrics were wonderful because they were all organic to begin with and created right here in the Bahamas by Androsia and Bahama Hand Print. The straw used to create the bustiers is from our islands. Since these fabrics were created here in the Bahamas they have a flavor that could only be found in these islands, they are born from the currant of our culture. The colours used were taken from everyday life in the islands. I highlight the fabrics by accentuating with items such as iridescent paint, crochet roses, and Braided Bahamian Palm Leaf. I am an island girl and I took the colours from nature around me, colours I love that caress the eyes and are appealing on the complexion.”
When asked about her experience of working with the pageant and the contestants Eve said, “I met with the contestants with my marketing director Rolanda Epstein for the fittings and our experience was very pleasant. The ladies that we were sent were absolutely beautiful, with perfect bodies and were very personable. As each lady left, there were hugs and invitations to exchange visits to each other’s home countries. I would not want to be a judge at this pageant, as all of these ladies were at their best.”

With representation in Nassau and Freeport, Besh creates truly unique garments and accessories for men and women, under the label La Bonne Vie Bahamas. Her philosophy is to design and manufacture clothes that inspire people to enjoy the magnificence of their inner beauty while transforming their image to an elegant, engaging one; and to create brands of style and enduring sophistication, while promoting respect for positive social and environmental issues .

Besh has designed for some of the Bahamas’ most influential people. Among the many she has designed bridal ensembles for the daughter of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, many National and International Beauty Queens such as prospective Miss World and Miss Universe.

“I design clothes that work for the individual; to me this is a must! It’s about the personal relationship I have with you, my client, getting to know who you really are, that when you wear one of my garments it makes you feel you are absolutely “The Most Beautiful Person in the Whole World.”

In addition, high profile and prominent business people alike seek out her modern designs of eye-catching gowns and elegant suits, which are so very haute couture.

There’s much more to come from Basheva Eve, as she will be opening her new store this fall in Freeport, and as a creative mind, she has many more surprises in store.





Read the original article here by www.thebahamasweekly.com

Miss Universe Evening Wear Presentation

All images Courtesy Miss Universe Organisation

Bahamas Information Services

By Betty Vedrine, BIS


Nassau, Bahamas – It was an evening of glamour and glitz as the 84 Miss Universe contestants participated in the Evening Gown competition.

The Preliminary Competition for the Evening Gown segment was held on Sunday, August 16 at the Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis Resort and Casino.

The Miss Universe contestants got the opportunity to dress in formal attire. This segment is one of the three areas contestants are judged on before the scores are tallied to determine who will win the coveted crown. The other two are the swimsuit competition and the interview all of which are conducted before the final telecast on August 23.

To date, the 84 contestants have participated in the swimsuit competition, which was held in Freeport, Grand Bahamas with a repeat representation during the Evening Gown segment on Sunday.

The contestants also underwent a one-on-one interview on Monday, August 17 in which judges chose the top 15 contestants who will be announced on the evening of the competition.

The event commenced with the 84 contested parading in swimsuits in alphabetical order in groups of 15 each time. Each contestant wore a two-piece swimsuit featuring a white top and multi-coloured bikini.

For the Evening Competition, Miss Bahamas, Kiara Sherman donned a one-shoulder sequined cream coloured creation with chiffon detailing. Noted Toronto-based Trinidadian designer and pageant coach, Bobby Ackbarali, a 30-year veteran in the field, designed the garment.

Ackbarali also coached Miss Sherman for three weeks in etiquette and image consulting prior to the competition. In addition, he designed Miss Sherman’s entire wardrobe for the 2009 Miss Universe Competition.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by British pop sensation, Anthony Wright, who performed two of his songs from his latest album.

The contestants will also participate in a motorcade scheduled for Thursday, August 20. The motorcade will start at the Arawak Cay , travel west on West Bay Street and end at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Hotel on Cable Beach.
The Miss Universe pageant will air live on Sunday, August 23 NBC at 9 p.m. ET/PT from the Atlantis Resort and Casino.

(VIDEO) Miss Universe 2009 Contestants Receive Royal Welcome on Grand Bahama

BY THE BAHAMAS WEEKLY NEWS TEAM

Sunday August 9th 2009 is a day that Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas and the Universe will always remember. It was certainly one of the most exciting days of news coverage for The Bahamas Weekly News Team as we traveled with the Miss Universe 2009 entourage during their fun filled day of excitement in Freeport.

We are pleased to present herewith for your enjoyment, the royal welcome given to the Miss Universe 2009 contestants and their entourage as they arrived at Grand Bahama International Airport.

The otherwise stiff and serious atmosphere that one is typically accustomed to at Customs and Immigrations areas were transformed into festive celebration theaters of tightly choreographed dance and song with tropical drinks served in coconut halves as Miss Universe 2009 contestants basked in their royal welcome to Grand Bahama Island.

One international photographer reportedly said that he felt filled with emotion as he entered Grand Bahama International Airport and heard the polished musical arrangements and experienced the cultural expose put on by the talented Grand Bahama Youth Choir, directed by Kevin Tomlinson.

Grand Bahamians will feel proud of their Island after viewing this video production. Non Bahamians will want to visit Grand Bahama Island again and again. Enjoy!

Photos from Miss Universe Presentation Show, Sunday 16th August - Back Stage

All images Courtesy of the Miss Universe Organisation


Joy Lasic, Miss Argentina 2009, get her hair done by Anna Cantu and Alicia Gonzales, before the Miss Universe Presentation Show at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.


Whitney Toyloy, Miss Switzerland 2009, get her make up done by Samantha Peluso, before the Miss Universe Presentation Show at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.


Jennifer Victoria Koranteng, Miss Ghana 2009, does her make up before the Miss Universe Presentation Show at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas





Eli Landa, Miss Norway 2009, gets her hair done before the Miss Universe Presentation Show at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.



Kristen Dalton, Miss USA 2009, adjusts her shoe before the Miss Universe Presentation Show at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas




Kristina Kots-Gotlib, Miss Ukraine 2009, get her hair done by Ricardo Munoz, before the Miss Universe Presentation Show at Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Miss Universe contestants arrive in Grand Bahama

All images by Lyndah Wells