Miss Venezeula Stefania Fernandez is Miss Universe 2009

Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez, has won the crown of Miss Universe 2009. Held at Nassau, Bahamas, the 18-year-old who enjoys hobbies like tennis and swimming, beat out young women from 83 countries around the world. This is the 5th time Venezuela has won the crown and now the second consecutive time the country has won the Miss Universe title (2008's Miss Universe was Venezuela's Dayana Mendoza). Venezuela could very well be the beauty capital of the world. Miss Australia's Rachael Finch and Miss Puerto Rico Mayra Matos Perez were the first runners up and Miss Kosovo Gona Dragusha holds the title of the second runner up.

Miss Universe Hits the Runway

Eighty-eight of the world’s most beautiful women were practically born to strut the catwalk. Now it’s their chance. On August 12, The Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort in the Bahamas will host the Miss Universe Pageant fashion show, Islands of the World Fashion Week. Unlike past years, the women will be outfitted by three Bahamian designers, utilizing the locally manufactured fabrics of Androsia and Bahama Hand Prints for their creations. Rachel Turnquest-Garcia of Rachel's Boutique, Basheva Eve of La Maison de Besh, and Sabrina Francis of SE'B Fashions were the three designers chosen. "Not only is this significant as the first time that The Bahamas is hosting the Miss Universe Pageant, but also because the fashion show will feature another aspect of the islands' creativity and culture as displayed in fashion. This will certainly have the potential of catapulting the local fashion industry into the international spotlight," said Owen Bethel, Chairman of the Host Planning Committee and Pageant Coordinator. This fashion show features more then just the warm breeze and tropical flowers of the Bahamas. It is taking a dive into the islands' talent by showcasing undiscovered gems in the fashion world.
-Tracey Johnsen