On August 16 somewhere in Las Vegas, 83 beautiful contestants from the Miss Universe pageant�showed off their national costume. The Mizuya Lounge at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino was full of women and fans.

Maiko Itai, 26, won the Miss Universe Japan 2010 on March 9, 2010. Maiko is an alumni of Sophia University, where she studied English and Portuguese.



Miss Universe Japan 2009, Emiri Miyasaka.


I have to say I think I like the 2010 costume more, it has more of an classy look.�From the colors, texture, to the pattern. This is simple version of a kimono, while keeping it elegantly modern. It speaks more of Japan than the 2009 costume.

The 2009 costume has a feel of Japan, more edgy, neo-Japanesque. While it kept the components a modem Japan, I was reminded of Angelina Jolie's outfit in the 1995 movie, Hackers. While there are obvious differences, the ambiance of the costume itself is what reminds me of the country.

Here is Miss Universe Korea, Kim Joo-ri. She won the Miss World 2009, and this will be the first time ever compete at the Miss Universe 2010.



You can watch the preliminary's tomorrow, 8/19, on USTREAM and the Miss Universe website at 7PM (PST). The results will be announced on 8/23 at 9PM on NBC.

The judges for the Miss Universe 2010 were announced by Donald Trump and they are: Criss Angel, William Baldwin, Sheila E, Tamron Hall (MSNBC anchor), Evan Lysacek (2010 Olympic figure skating champion), Chazz Palminteri, Chynna Phillips, Jane Seymour, and Nikki Taylor.

Here's a clip of Maiko Itai in Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore. She's so pretty, a natural Japanese beauty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Ya12JJp_0