by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
On Thursday, Miss Connecticut Alyssa Taglia got to play “dress-up.”
On the third night of preliminary competition in Atlantic City, N.J. for the Miss America pageant, the Nutmeg State fashion icon stepped onto stage in a swimsuit for the Lifestyle and Fitness phase of competition. Later on in the evening, Taglia switched it up toward elegance for the Evening Gown phase of competition.
For swimwear, Taglia chose a black bikini from Irene West Swimwear, the official swimsuit designer for the pageant. Taglia’s body looked flawless with enough definition to show her strength without veering into fitness modeling territory. She looked comfortable and confident as she stood before the judges on stage—and in front of a Boardwalk Hall full of people.
For evening gown, Taglia showed enough confidence in her state pageant gown by stepping out onto the Boardwalk Hall stage once again. The sparkly antique-white colored gown that was like a sheath at the bodice before it flared off at the skirt in near mermaid style was topped off with a clear crystal adornment on the shoulders. It evoked images of Princess Diana as Taglia walked across the stage.
Taglia’s hair was pulled back into a low bun to emphasize her facial structures and her makeup complimented the hair with a dramatic look.
During the last of three preliminary nights for the 2017 Miss America Competition in Boardwalk Hall, Miss Michigan, Arianna Quan, was named Thursday night’s preliminary Talent winner for her piano performance of “L’Ouette” by Glinka Balakirev. Quan will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Also capturing the spotlight was Miss Ohio, Alice Magoto, who was the preliminary Lifestyle and Fitness winner in a black Irene West swimsuit. Magoto will receive a $1,000 scholarship. On Sunday night, Taglia will find out if she is one of 14 contestants selected to compete in the finals, which will be broadcast on ABC at 9 p.m.
PHOTOS by MIKE CHAIKEN
