Leah Blefko is a student at the University of Arkansas where she double majors in Broadcast Journalism and Sports Management. Leah is proud to work for the Razorback football team and the Razorback Sports Network as she thinks of herself as the "Hogs #1 Fan." Leah has the travel bug, and has explored places like Greece, The U.S. Virgin Islands, and many more. Leah is a hot sauce junkie and always asks for a bottle of hot sauce for her meal at every restaurant.
Staying active and finding news ways to work out is something she has always loved to do. In the past two years she has picked up boxing as she gets an adrenaline from the workout and feels like she's in the movie "Rocky". It's no secret that this girl loves sports-- one time Leah drove a total of 9 hours within a 15-hour time span to cheer on her favorite MLB team, the Royals, during the World Series.
Leah hopes to lead by example that a combination of positivity and staying true to who you are is the key to success. Video by Zac Grimaldo/PixelBroom Studios. (Bio by Miss Universe Organization)
Alexis Selena Railsback was born on September 8, 1995 in Overland Park, Kansas. She has a fraternal twin sister named Ashley, and a 17-year-old brother named Jordan. She grew up in Shawnee, Kansas where she lives now. She graduated from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in 2014. She is a freshman at Johnson County Community College where she plans to obtain her Associate of Arts Degree. She plans to graduate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, and to attend Cosmetology school to become a licensed makeup artist.
Alexis' dream job is to travel the world working as a professional makeup artist in the entertainment and fashion industry and to create her own line of cosmetics one day. Alexis is third-generation Mexican-American from her mother and of German descent from her father. She feels that having a biracial upbringing has taught her to appreciate diversity and other cultures. Video by Zac Grimaldo/PixelBroom Studios. (Bio by Miss Universe Organization)
Olivia Jordan is a Bishop Kelley High School alumna and went on to attend Boston University, where she earned a B.S. in Health Science. As a college student, she worked as a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, and pioneered a self-defense workshop that would become a continued tradition within her sorority, Alpha Phi. Olivia has appeared in several national/international commercials and feature films, most recently, Hot Tub Time Machine 2.
She walked for Sherri Hill in New York Fashion Week 2015 and she walked for Miami Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week Swim 2014. Olivia’s editorial print work has been featured in Cosmo, Shape and Vogue Japan. Her modeling career has allowed her to travel the world. She was recognized by Children of the Night, a group dedicated to getting US children out of prostitution, as an outstanding advocate. She is the 2015 host for the Oklahoma Chapter Alzheimer's Association Memory Gala and helped raise 1.3 million dollars. Video by Zac Grimaldo/PixelBroom Studios. (Bio by Miss Universe Organization)
Hoang-Kim Cung is a reporter and fill-in anchor for a local news station in Nebraska. She loves doing something different each day and meeting new people, while being able to give voice to the voiceless. Outside the newsroom, 23-year-old Hoang-Kim writes for her fashion, beauty and lifestyle blog colorandchic.com. She poses in the streets of Nebraska, or where her travels take her, modeling her style of feminine clothes and accessories. A techie, Hoang-Kim enjoys playing with technology and keeping up with startup news. She’s working on learning how to code.
This foodie loves to cook, eat recipes with fresh ingredients and the farm to table concept. To stay active, Hoang-Kim enjoys pilates, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and more. Passionate about giving back, Hoang-Kim started a 501c3 to raise money for wounded veterans. She also promotes girls studying STEAM fields. Hoang-Kim wants to spread a message of confidence by encouraging others to know their value and individual strengths. Video by Zac Grimaldo/PixelBroom Studios. (Bio by Miss Universe Organization)
My first meeting with Elizabeth was when she walked in my runway show for the premiere of the Spring 2015 collections. She had recently been crowned Miss United States 2014, and I was immediately impressed with her character, style and poise. I knew she would be a strong contender for one of the biggest pageants in the world and was eager to design a one of a kind magnificent creation for this beautiful woman.
Speaking with Mr. Chris Wilmer, pageant director for Miss United States shortly after, he felt based on my experience, vision and prior successes I was the perfect designer for the Miss World Pageant wardrobe and our collaboration began.
The original design with neckline beading
During our second meeting I had Elizabeth try on a variety of my gowns in all kinds of fabrics, colors, and body shapes. Right away, I knew that the mermaid style looked marvelous and provided an amazing fit for her longer body.
Now that I knew Elizabeth should wear a mermaid style dress, I also realized that I wanted the gown to look clean and grand. Elizabeth completely agreed although this was outside “the sparkle queen” image she had presented in the past wearing typical pageant gowns. We were all confident that if Elizabeth was to make an impact as Miss United States, then this was our direction.
The original design was based on a previous pageant style. Although this original style has very minimal beading, Elizabeth’s gown would not have any. In addition I added ¼ inch straps, which perfectly complimented her frame and bone structure. My vision was for her to envelope the Hollywood red carpet glamour without anything to distract from her facial beauty.
Elizabeth’s contribution to the design was a plunging neckline. My research showed that in previous Miss World competitions this is not a standard feature. However, this detail proved to be a major success.
Gown Sketch by MacDuggal. Named “Lal Rani”
The last decision came to the final color. Sometimes girls think of color coming first, but it is the last thing I think about. I believe that it’s best to create a design that will best showcase you and your walk first.
Elizabeth had to decide between red and white. Originally Elizabeth had been crowned in white, but she really wanted a red dress. It was truly a hard decision to make, but she trusted me with the final choice.
The red version of the dress truly lit up her face. It was unbelievable, the red gown even made her eyes glisten.
Elizabeth seeing her gown for the first time
When the gown was finally completed, it took up an entire garment rack on its own...
I couldn’t just give this magnificent creation a style number, it needed so much more. The dress needed a name.
I christened the gown “Lal Rani,” meaning the Red Queen in my native tongue.
Elizabeth was stunned when she first laid eyes on “Lal Rani.” She kept asking over and over, “Is that really my gown?!”
At first, my team and I had to help her walk in her dress because of the voluminous Mikado fabric, and extended train. Making her keep her eyes closed until she first saw herself in the mirror added to the anticipation. When she opened her eyes, she started crying instantly and said, “It is everything that I could have ever imagined!”
"I was so excited to see the dress that Mac took me directly back to where it was hanging, before we even got a chance to talk. He didn't want to keep me waiting any longer, which I was thankful for since I felt like I was about to burst with anticipation! When I saw it, I couldn't take a big goofy smile off my face. I also remember giggling because I was so giddy! I imagine trying on your Miss World gown is similar to trying on a wedding dress and finding the right one -- I just felt like it was part of me. It was just RIGHT and it was simply me. I had tears because it was perfect in every way. I can't thank Mac enough for giving me my dream dress and making me feel like Miss World every time we worked together. He is, like his designs, one of a kind!" –Elizabeth Safrit, Miss United States 2014
As a designer, these words were so utterly heartwarming and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction. These are the moments that have kept me enraptured with my work and profession for over thirty years.
(Photos courtesy of MacDuggal, Miss United States Organization, and Miss World Organization)
Miss United States 2014 Elizabeth Safrit, age 22, is a recent USC graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.
Hailing from Kannapolis, Safrit represented North Carolina at the 2014 Miss United States pageant, where she was selected based on interview, on-stage question, swimwear and evening gown modeling.
Safrit is a spokesperson for Rock the Vote, encouraging young adults to get excited about voting. This December, Safrit will be the only woman to represent the United States at the 64th Annual Miss World contest in London.
Her personal motto is by Wayne Gretzy, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” (Bio from MissUnitedStates.com)
Watch our interview below and be sure to watch the Miss World 2014 pageant on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at 7am PST on E!
