Last night the 2009 Miss Universe pageant was broadcast worldwide from the Bahamas. In the end, Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, walked away victorious in a red embellished gown. The 18-year-old looked stunning, although I think this might have been the first year that Miss Universe actually dropped her crown onto the ground in excitement.

There were the expected pageant gowns and swimsuits of course, however this year they decided to spice things up a bit by making all of the contestants dress up in costumes representative of their homeland. Some of the costumes were glamorous, some were theatrically amazing, and some were downright comical. Take a look below to see just a few of the more than 80 costumes that strutted the stage last night:

Left: Miss Universe Winner Miss Venezuela. I’m not quite sure what My Fair Lady has to do with Venezuela, but it looks like they took a cue from both Britney Spears’s Toxic video (possibly NSFW) and Audrey Hepburn to come up with this stunning number. Right: Miss Bahamas, Kiara Sherma, looking like she’s ready for Carnival.
LEFT: Miss Finland, Essi Poyasti, in a dress made from a vintage Marimekko print. RIGHT: Miss Germany, Martina Lee, dressed as the Brandenburg Gate.
LEFT: Miss Guyana, Jenel Cox, looking very much like Poison Ivy from Batman. RIGHT: Miss Bolivia, Dominique Peltier. Just in case you missed the banner hanging from her arm that says “Bolivia,” her hat reminds you exactly where she’s from too…in rainbow letters and about 50 pounds of feathers.
LEFT: Miss El Salvador, Mayella Mena, looking rather unsure about her peacock ensemble. This is already giving me nightmares about falling on my face. RIGHT: Miss Namibia, Happie Ntelamo.

LEFT: Miss Panama, Diana Broce, in a Carnival outfit fit for Halloween. RIGHT: Off with her head! It’s Miss Great Britain, Clair Cooper, in a Union-Jack inspired royal gown.



LEFT: Miss China, Jingyao Wang. RIGHT: Miss Japan, Emiri Miyasaka. This outfit caused quite a stir when it was initially revealed with matching hot pink panties, stockings and a garter belt. It was toned down for the pageant after the judges complained.



LEFT: Miss New Zealand, Katie Taylor, dressed as a bird maybe? RIGHT: Miss Peru, Karen Schwarz. Ms. Scharz caused an international riff with Bolivia because of this tribal outfit. The Bolivian cultural minister has threatened to sue in an international court because the “Devil’s Dance” represents part of Bolivia’s national heritage. Hopefully this didn’t cause too many catfights backstage…



LEFT: Miss Russia, Sofia Rudyeva in a military-inspired dress. RIGHT: Miss Singapore, Rachel Kum, in a gown inspired by an orchid.



LEFT: Miss Thailand, Chutima Durongdej. RIGHT: Miss Ukraine, Kristina Kots-Gotlib, looking very much like the Ice Queen.

LEFT: Miss USA, Kristen Dalton. Not quite the look I personally would have gone for, but I guess I should be thankful she wasn’t dressed as the Statue of Liberty. RIGHT: Miss Vietnam, Yen Vo.

LEFT: Miss USA, Kristen Dalton. Not quite the look I personally would have gone for, but I guess I should be thankful she wasn’t dressed as the Statue of Liberty. RIGHT: Miss Vietnam, Yen Vo.

LEFT: Miss USA, Kristen Dalton. Not quite the look I personally would have gone for, but I guess I should be thankful she wasn’t dressed as the Statue of Liberty. RIGHT: Miss Vietnam, Yen Vo.

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Miss Universe, the lovely Miss Venezuela  

Miss Bahamas,Kiara Sherman

Miss China, Jingyao Wang

Miss Finland, Essi Poysti

Miss Germany, Martina Lee dressed up as the Brandenburg Gate.

Miss Great Britain, Clair Cooper

Jenel Cox, Miss Guyana.

 

Emiri Miyasaka, Miss Japan. This outfit was toned down after it was criticized for having hot pink panties, stockings and garter belt.

Happie Ntelamo, Miss Namibia.

Katie Taylor, Miss New Zealand.

 

Diana Broce, Miss Panama.

Karen Schwarz, Miss Peru. This outfit caused consternation in Bolivia, where the "Devil's Dance" it represents is supposedly part of the national heritage. The Bolivian cultural minister has threatened to sue in an international court, and the contestants from the two countries reportedly aren't talking to each other.

Sofia Rudyeva, Miss Russia.

 

Rachel Kum, Miss Singapore.

Chutima Durongdej, Miss Thailand.

Kristina Kots-Gotlib, Miss Ukraine.

Kristen Dalton, Miss USA.

Yen Vo, Miss Vietnam