Pageants

We've kept you posted on the Miss America 2015 competition for a couple of months now because one of our favorite designers, Tony Bowls, is the exclusive evening gown sponsor of the event...and the wonderful pageant has officially come to an end as of last night! We're very excited to announce that Miss America 2015 is Kira Kazantsev of New York!

Does something about that statement sound familiar? It's because this is the third year in a row that Miss New York took the Miss America crown...that's right, this is a threepeat! Last year, Nina Davuluri took the Miss America 2014 crown, and she must have been very happy to pass it down to her fellow New Yorker, Kira, last night.  That's not all, though...even Miss America 2013 was from New York, Mallory Hytes Hagan!

While Kira is our new Miss America, all of the girls looked stunning... especially in their Tony Bowls dresses! The first runner up is Courtney Garrett, Miss Virginia, the second runner up was Ashton Campbell, Miss Arkansas, the third runner up was Victoria Cowen, Miss Florida, and the fourth runner up was Lauren Kuhn, Miss Massachusetts.

Kira's got the smarts and talent all rolled up into one - she's a vocalist, and is a future law student, having been accepted to Fordham's law school. For her talent portion, Kira surprised everyone by singing Pharrell Williams' "Happy" while sitting cross-legged on stage and banging a red plastic cup on the floor! And, she named combatting sexual assault in the military as the issue which she would want female U.S. Senators to press their male counterparts. She clearly has a very unique mind, very deserving of the Miss America crown!

Kira was crowned in a stunning backless Tony Bowls couture white long sleeved gown. She looked so elegant and graceful in it! If you want her look for Prom, or Homecoming, go with Tony Bowls Evenings TBE11457, a long sleeve jersey slim-fitting gown with beaded triangle bodice inset, beaded center front, softly gathered front bodice, beaded cuffs, open back with cowl drape, and a skirt with a flared back and train.

Are you happy to see that Miss New York took the crown again? Leave a comment and let us know!

Source: USA Today

Back in April, we wrote an article about how one of our favorite dress designers Tony Bowls was announced the Official Evening Gown Sponsor of Miss America, which is to be held in September in our home town of Atlantic City, NJ. Well, September is finally here, and the Miss America 2014 Pageant is only 4 days away - this coming Sunday, September 14th! Between the pageant being held in South Jersey, and it featuring one of our very own dress designers, you better believe we're excited for Miss America 2014! We're also particularly excited because of some news about the pageant that was recently announced. Read on!

For the first time in pageant history, every single contestant will wear a different gown by the same exact dress designer... you guessed it... Tony Bowls! Not only that, but designer Tony Bowls decided to create 53 custom gowns to showcase his designs to more than 10 million people who will be tuning in on September 14th.

Twitter was abuzz as each contestant received her custom gown before heading to Atlantic City. Miss Arizona Alexa Rogers tweeted, "Got my @TonyBowls @MissAmericaOrg gown today and WOW!! Beyond my wildest dreams! It. Is. Perfection."

Miss Mississippi Jasmine Murray tweeted, "It is here!! @JasmineSMurray loves her @MissAmericaOrg gown by @TonyBowls!"

What's even more exciting is that the contestants are not the only ones who can get their hands on a custom Tony Bowls creation! One lucky pageant viewer will be able to look like Miss America at her Homecoming or Prom. Every woman in America will have the opportunity to win any gown that graces the Miss America stage. For the chance to win, simply visit, "Evening Gowns" and post a Tweet on Twitter or Like the Tony Bowls Fan Page.

The lucky winner will be able to select her prize from the Miss America stage and Tony Bowls will personally make a replication of the dress according to her size. How cool is that - a Tony Bowls Miss America custom gown?! Talk about a unique Prom or Homecoming dress!

Source: PRWeb.com

This past Sunday night (June 8, 2014), Miss USA 2013 Erin Brady passed on her crown to Nia Sanchez, formerly Miss Nevada, to be crowned the new Miss USA 2014! While all of the contestants were incredible, the Las Vegas 24-year-old wowed the judges and audience through all 3 rounds of the competition: Swimsuit, Evening Gown, and Interview. If you missed the event, you can watch Nia getting crowned here:

http://youtu.be/7A6THtyHqOo

As Miss USA 2014, she is now the 63rd Miss USA, and there is so much to know about this amazing girl. So, we loved that Parade Magazine simplified it for us with their "5 Things to Know about Miss USA 2014 Nia Sanchez." Check it out below!

5 Things to Know about Miss USA 2014, Nia Sanchez, from Parade Magazine:

1. She has a black belt in Tae Kwan Do

Nia is one badass girl! The Nevada native is a fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do. Nia To E!, "I started training when I was 8, and I started teaching when I was 12, and I was a certified instructor when I was 15. It's a good workout. It's a full body workout. I never get more tired working out than when I'm at the studio." And, she sure looks good doing it!

In the final round of the competition, Nia even related it back to learning Tae Kwan Do. When asked about the issue of sexual assault on campus, she explained the importance of self defense for women. She said, "More awareness [of the issue] is very important so that women can learn to protect themselves...I learned from a young age that you need to be confident and able to defend yourself, and I think that's something that we should really start to implement for a lot of women." We couldn't agree more!

 2. She's a Disney Princess!

Aside from wearing the Miss Nevada and now the Miss USA crowns, Nia has worked as a Disney Princess at Hong Kong Disney. Parade said that while there, she spent time dressing up as Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Belle, and Snow White. Check her out as Belle from Beauty and the Beast below!

3. She loves to travel

Nia began as an international traveler when she finished high school and moved to Europe to be a nanny. Since then, she has traveled extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia as Miss Nevada. You can follow her on Instagram to see all of the amazing places she's been!

4. She is half Mexican

According to her bio on the Miss USA website, Nia is half Mexican and loves to travel to Mexico on mission trips.

5. She had a tough upbringing

When she was 6 years old, Nia and her mother lived in a women's shelter. The experience has taught her the importance of giving back, and she how works in a shelter. She said, "I can really relate to the women on a personal level because I've been there and I've been through those experiences."

We can't wait to see what our new Miss USA does in her year-long reign! And, we definitely cannot wait for her to compete in Miss Universe 2014 later this year!

Source: Parade.com

An important announcement from our very own hometown of Linwood, NJ! Tony Bowls has teamed up with Miss America to be the official Evening Gown sponsor of the pageant.

Here's Tony Bowls' press release about the partnership:

The Miss America Organization and renowned designer Tony Bowls / Mon Cheri are thrilled to announce they have entered into a partnership to have Tony Bowls / Mon Cheri as the Official Evening Gown Sponsor of Miss America.

Sam Haskell, III, Chairman and CEO of the Miss America Organization stated, "We are truly excited to have Tony Bowls and his company, Mon Cheri, now on board as the official evening gown provider/sponsor for the 2015 Miss America Competition. Tony is a master of detail in creating beautiful collections that will now grace the Miss America stage in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall this September."

Tony Bowls' groundbreaking designs will showcase the 53 beautiful Miss America contestants and captivate the attention of millions of viewers. The Tony Bowls Collection will make its debut on the Miss America stage during this year's competition at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Sunday, September 14, 2014.

The Miss America Organization is excited to work with Tony Bowls to showcase his unique and stylish collections that will enhance the look of the show with added elegance and grace. Tall Pony Productions will once again produce the Miss America Competition and telecast on Sunday, September 14, 2014 live on ABC in the historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

According to Tony Bowls, "Miss America embodies the type of elegant confidence that inspires me as a designer. I'm beyond thrilled with this partnership and to be able to make pageant history with the Miss America Organization."

Tony Bowls/Mon Cheri support the mission of The Miss America Organization and together, they are proud to continue helping young women across America in fulfilling their aspirations and their dreams for education. Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri was crowned last September upon the organization's return home to its birthplace in Atlantic City, New jersey and she will now serve as the new spokesperson for Tony Bowls/Mon Cheri.

About Tony Bowls

Tony Bowls, who is also official designer for the Miss America Outstanding Teen Pageant, has over 25 years within the evening wear industry. Tony is a two time DEBI Award Winner whose gowns are sold in numerous stores internationally. Bowls designs have been worn by several Miss Americas, featured on numerous television shows and has been the evening gown of choice for various celebrities during red carpet events.

Head to the Tony Bowls section of RissyRoos.com to check out their beautiful dresses for prom, homecoming, and all other semi-formal and formal events!

About Miss America

The Miss America Organization is one of the nation's leading achievement programs and the world's largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. The Miss America Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization provides academic, community service and other scholarships to women between the ages of 17 and 24. Last year, the Miss America Foundation, together with the Miss America Organization and its state and local pageant organizations made available more than $45 million in total scholarship assistance. The Miss America Foundation, Inc. is a duly recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization.

We can't wait to hear more about the Miss America Tony Bowls partnership, and definitely can't wait to watch the event in Atlantic City in September!

And the Miss Universe crown goes to... Miss Venezuela, Gabriela Isler! The Miss Universe 2013 pageant was held Saturday night at Moscow's Crocus City Hall, and the crown was passed on to the beautiful Gabriela. Miss Universe 2012 was our very own Miss USA Olivia Culpo, so we're sad that the USA will no longer be representing Miss Universe for the next year, but so happy that Olivia is being succeeded by such an amazing woman!

Miss Universe 2012, Miss USA Olivia Culpo, crowning her successor, Miss Universe 2013, Miss Venezuela Gabriela Isler!

This was the 62nd Annual Competition of the Miss Universe Pageant, and Gabriela had quite the competition this year! She beat out contestants from 85 other countries to take the crown home, which is Venezuela's 7th Miss Universe win. Gabriela is 25 years old and works as an anchor for Venezuela's Venevision television. Her broadcast experience definitely showed through during the competition last night, and we're sure will continue to serve her well during her one-year stint at Miss Universe.

Gabriela definitely had all eyes on her throughout the night, from the costume competition to the swimsuit competition. But, we absolutely loved the silver sparkly gown that she wore as she accepted her crown. If you love the look as much as we do, it's one that you can wear to Prom or your next pageantM! Primavera style 9696 is a dress for the new Prom 2014 year that's so close to Gabriela's. It's an intricately designed ultra-feminine long sleeve gown with a sexy plunging neckline and accessorized with diamonte broche. It's sure to be having you look like a queen all night long, just like Gabriela!

What's next on Gabriela's list? She was already seen modeling in a jewel-studded swimsuit that's valued at $1 million. The Yamamay Million Dollar Swimsuit made as a special surprise for the Miss Universe winner, and it definitely looked perfect on Gabriela!

Congrats, Gabriela! We can't wait to see what's to come from you this year!

Source: LA Times, Huffington Post, AP, Inquirer

After all of the preliminaries, and of course the Show Us Your Shoes parade, the Miss America 2014 pageant finally came to an end on Sunday night, September 15th, in Atlantic City, NJ. We're so exited to announce that Miss New York, Nina Davuluri, is your new Miss America!

At around 10:40 last night, the pageant dwindled down to only 5 contestants: Miss Oklahoma Kelsey Griswold, Miss Minnesota Rebecca Yeh, Miss California Crystal Lee, Miss New York Nina Davuluri, and Miss Florida Myrrhanda Jones. One of the most interesting parts of the pageant is always the interview portion, and that's what the Top 5 Contestants competed in before the final winner was chosen. All the contestants were given difficult questions, from celebrities to politics, and gave us some great insight into their beliefs.

Miss New York's question was: "Julie Chen had plastic surgery to appear less Asian. What do you think of her decision?" Nina said she opposes plastic surgery, but added, "I've always viewed Miss America as the girl next door and the girl next door is evolving." Such a great answer, and with Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail, showing off her tattoo so prominently this year, it couldn't be more true.

The final results for the Runner-Up spots ended up being: Miss Minnesota taking Fourth Runner-Up, Miss Florida taking Third Runner-Up, Miss Oklahoma taking Second Runner-Up, and Miss California taking the spot as First Runner-up.

Some other highlights from the pageant we loved: Miss Florida, Myrrhanda Jones, so proudly and confidently wearing a knee brace on stage. We especially love that the knee brace was bedazzled! Myrrhanda ended up hurting her knee during rehearsals for the pageant's last night of preliminary competition, and instead of calling it quits, she put on the brace and continued on to become the Third Runner-up! Such persistence!

We also loved Miss America 2013's farewell note that was posted on the official Miss America Organization Facebook page. She wrote, "Signing off, guys... Love you! -Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan," and posted the above image. Too cute!

And, you have to love that Miss New York has now been crowned Miss America for two consecutive years! Former Miss New York and Miss America 2013 must have been very proud to hand over the crown to Miss New York in this year's pageant. Nina is also the first contestant of Indian heritage to win the Miss America pageant.

Congrats, Nina! We're so exited to welcome you as our Miss America 2014, and cannot wait to follow your happenings and experiences over the coming year!

Source: Associated Press, ABC

Yes, you read correctly! As New Jersey-ians ourselves (and Southern New Jersey-ians, at that!), we are so happy to be announcing that Miss America is back in Atlantic City, NJ this year! And, with that comes one of the most fun events of the pageant: the "Show Us Your Shoes" Parade on the Atlantic City Boardwalk! The parade will be on the boardwalk this Saturday, and the procession starts at 5pm.

Luckily, we don't have to wait until Saturday to get a sneak peak of all the pretty shoes that the Miss America contestants designed themselves. The Star-Ledger got the inside scoop on the parade, and they even have a sneak peak video, all on NJ.com.

Miss New Jersey's shore-inspired heels (Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger )

The heels that everyone at Rissy Roo's is dying to see? Miss New Jersey's, of course! Those are the beautifully decorated and themed shoes you're looking at in the above picture.

"Miss New Jersey, Cara McCollum, says she's going with a combined "washed ashore" and "Stronger Than the Storm" theme. Her peep-toe pumps, encrusted with starfish, oyster pearls and seashells, shimmer with a sea foam green and ocean blue, like "Wizard of Oz" went to the Shore."

-Amy Kuperinsky/The Star-Ledger

Cara could not have picked a more fitting theme for the return of the Miss America Pageant to the New Jersey beach. We can't wait to cheer her on at the parade and in the pageant!

Miss Pennsylvania's perfectly patriotic pumps
(Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger )

We're most excited to see Miss Kansas' shoes, though. The Star-Ledger revealed that she made quite an unusual and thought-provoking choice to wear a pair of work boots for the parade because she's in the state's National Guard. Talk about a statement fashion choice! There's no photos of the shoes as of yet, but you can get a glimpse of them in The Star-Ledger's video.

This fun parade started all the way back in the 1970s, when on-lookers watching contestants rehearsing for the pageant would yell, "Show us your shoes," only to see that the girls were in slippers since they were rehearsing. Well, one year, the ladies decided to give the hecklers something to look at! Now, the Show Us Your Shoes parade has become an Atlantic City tradition that we are so happy to have back this year. If you're in the area or coming down to the Shore for one last Summer weekend, make sure to stop by the AC Boardwalk to get a glimpse of all the fun, funky, and super shiny shoes. And, of course, don't forget to tune into ABC on Sunday, September 15th at 9pm to see who will be crowned Miss America 2014!

Miss Latina Global 2013 was recently held in August, and it was a night to remember! There was so many gorgeous looks all throughout the pageant, that it had us getting so excited that Homecoming Season is finally here, and Prom is just around the corner. This pageant got us especially in the Homecoming and Prom mood, though, because two of our favorite dress designers were at the forefront of the pageant: Shail K. and Jovani!

All of the delegates wore Shail K. KL3224 as the opening dress to the pageant. It was the perfect dress for an opening number because everyone looked so sparkly and glamorous! 

Miss Latina Global 2013 Delegates wearing Shail K. KL3224

Shail K. style KL3224 is a unique combination of sweet, shiny, and sexy. This short cocktail dress seamlessly combines a beautifully hand beaded lusciousness with an off-shoulder neckline and a fun, flowing skirt, giving this party dress a timeless look. If you don't have a pageant to wear it to like the Miss Latina Global delegates, get it for Homecoming, and wear it again for a Holiday Party!

Newly crowned Miss Latina Global, Grecia Garcia, & Miss Teen Latina Global, Karla Mercado (wearing Jovani 1531), along side runner up, Lexi Lopez (wearing Shail K. KK3133L).

That's not the only time you see Shail K. at the pageant, though! Lexi Lopez wore Shail K. KK3133L as she was crowned Miss Latina Global 2013 Runner Up. This hand beaded gown fits like a glove and accentuate your curves perfectly. It's a great gown not only for a pageant, but for Prom, too!

Miss Teen Latina Global 2013, Karla Mercado, looked so elegant being crowned in Jovani 1531. It's a lace floor length mermaid gown that features piping and sheer panels at the top bodice and a tiered tulle skirt. Karla showed so well that this dress is the perfect combination of elegance and sexiness!

Congrats to this year's winners! All of the girls who competed were so talented and beautiful - it definitely must have been difficult for the judges to pick the winners!