Eighty nine beautiful women from all around the globe are there at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to fight it out for the prestigious title of Miss Universe 2012.

This initial stage helps to evaluate the 16 semi-finalists that will be announced on pageant night on December 19 together with the outcome of the ongoing online voting on the Miss Universe website.

‘Rounds’ at this stage included posing in bikinis and evening gowns. But sadly for Miss Guyana she became a fashion victim of her floor-sweeping evening dress. Embarrassingly, she crashed to the floor in front of the judges.

Meanwhile, the remaining 88 contestants must have assumed they are getting closer to winning the beauty crown.

The pageant started as a local ‘bathing beauty’ competition spearheaded by Catalina Swimwear in Long Beach, Califiornia and is now an international yearly tradition.

The competition has evolved into a year-round international organisation that claims to advance and support opportunities for these young women.

The competition main objective is to award women who are savvy and goal-oriented.