Brazilian Designer AZ Araujo has been tapped to be the official Fashion Designer for the 2013 Miss Brazil USA Pageant, scheduled to be held Friday, October 11 at the Aventura arts and Culture Center in South Miami. Miss Brasil USA’s new President Daniele Quigley, who now serves as the regional leader for the pageant’s Miami, Florida division decided to partner up with Araujo in recognition of his talent and his deep ties–famial and otherwise–to Brazil and its people.
The A.Z Araujo collection combines the sexiness of Brazil with the chic modern presence of the New York consumer; and have been worn by luminaries such as the winners of the Miss Universe Organization from 2009 and 2012, Adrienne Bailon, Aylín Mújica, Wendy Raquel Robison, Natalia Castro (Big Brother Brasil season 11) and many others.
Over the years, the Miss Brasil USA (www.missbrazilusa.com) pageant has became the biggest social event for the Brazilian eastern coast of the United States. In addition to celebrating the beauty of young candidates, this real night gala is a genuine tribute to all Brazilians. The event was created in late 1991 by journalist and producer Carlos Borges; and the first national finals of the competition took place in 1992, held in Brazil Carnival, Orlando, Florida; where it brought together 27 candidates from seven U.S. states. Until 2002, the national final of Miss Brazil USA was held in Florida. In 2004, until the event was relocated to Newark, New Jersey (when the competition having expanded to all regions of the United States and consolidated in 21 states), returning to Florida in 2005.
Now 16 years later, Miss Brasil USA remains the only Brazilian event nationwide in the United States, revealing first-class talents such as TV star and former Miss Brasil ’97 Ana Carolina Fonseca, journalist and Emmy (the “Oscar”American TV) Sharon Lima (winner in 1996), singer and host of Fox Network Ana Lygia Galvao (winner in 1992), and various talented models from Brazil working in the market of fashion and advertising. The statistics indicate the success: in 16 years of achievement, considering all the selective steps done from regional to national, more than 8,000 young Brazilian ladies have participated in the Miss Brasil USA pageant. The estimated total audience, who watched the events live, has surpassed the 100,000 people. All major TV networks in Brazil – Globo, Record, SBT, Bandeirantes, and CNT – have already covered the event and all 16 editions of the pageant are registered in VHS and digital (DVD), therefore preserving forever a significant part of the history of Brazilian community on American soil.
The Miss Brasil USA has also been also a showcase of success for Brazilian musical talents, such as Bebel Gilberto, Margareth Menezes, Emílio Santiago, Wanderléa, Simonal, Rose Max, Márcio Mendes, Michael Sullivan, Debra Brum, Luan, Drey C , Lillian Vianna, Energy Band, Adriano, Pedro Paulo and many others. In 2001, the Brazilian Woman of the Year trophy was integrated to the event and has included the global hostess Ana Maria Braga (2002), the star Janette Bezerra (2001) and fashion model and businesswoman Luiza Brunet (2005).
This year’s panel of judges includes Dr. Robert Rey, E! Channel Dr.90210, model Antonio Acosta, Recording Artist Tracy McMullan and Zilu Camargo
Masters of Ceremony for the 2013 Miss Brasil USA – Miami Pageant will be Adriana De Moura, Bravo TV’s The Real Housewives of Miami and actor Vincent De Paul, with musical performances by Tracy McMullan, Mandel Winn and Roy Rosello.