The wow of the gown

by MIKE CHAIKEN

CTFashionMag.com

When it comes to beauty pageants, the “Wow” factor moment typically comes during the evening gown portion of the evening.

In the Miss USA brand of competition, the contestants linger on stage in their gowns, standing before the judges and then holding court in front of the audience. The gowns are a pivotal moment of the evening as the contestants stay within their garments–elegant and stylish— as they finish up the evening, waiting for the news as to who will the crown and sash.

Twenty-five contestants competed for the recent Miss Connecticut USA and Miss Connecticut Teen USA competition at the The Palace Theater in Stamford, which was won by Acacia Courtney and Kaliegh Garris, respectively.

This is what the audience saw worn by the contestants who reached the finals on the evening of Jan. 5.

PHOTOS by MIKE CHAIKEN