Yesterday afternoon, Basel held the traditional Eurovision Opening Ceremony. The ceremony included the participants of this year’s edition and was also home to multiple outfits. And just like every year, the outfits ranged from glam to camp. Sometimes it seems as if no other international event can merge these two as easily and as gracefully as Eurovision has been doing it for the last 69 years. Let us see who went the most glam and who went all the way up to the highest levels of camp.

Albania

We are starting with THE most camp outfit of this event. Kolë’s outfit looked really just fine, and it managed to fit in perfectly among the other tens of suits that were there. But then Beatrice was there to stand out from head to toe. From the headpiece to the dress and the bag, the whole look was just craziness all the way. That’s not an outfit you forget easily. Is it ugly? It certainly is unique and couldn’t be worn anywhere else but Eurovision, but I don’t think we can judge this look in terms of “beautiful” and “ugly”. It’s as campy as it can go.

Belgium

RED ALERT! RED ALERT! Oh, wait, it’s just Red Sebastian. Someone took his name WAY too literally. The outfit reminds me of some sort of magician’s cape one would wear to a masquerade on Halloween. It gives a bit of a demonic vibe and might also have needed a parental advisory sign before its appearance on the carpet, as this look can creep out some viewers, especially the younger ones. It is nowhere near good-looking or camp in the meaning of Beatrice’s dress. This is just a red fabric with pockets. No “wow” effect. I would have chosen a much more impressive look in the same red shade. If you want to make a show, you should first learn how to. I mean, Eurovision is THE place to go crazy with anything from song to performance. And still, this one is just ridiculous.

Croatia

Oh Marko Marko Marko… 3 concepts in one. Impressive thought, but the outfit just doesn’t do it as it should. The mix between the oversized suit, the sailor man scarf, and the “I’m a concept board” idea with these drawings on some papers looks very messy. Too many things are happening at once without a real connection. I mean, Marko is not the only one having this in his outfit. But then, in some cases, like Beatrice from Albania, things connected. This was not the case.

Finland

Hail, Queen Erika! Don’t get me wrong. Erika’s dress is not the best one at this ceremony. But the look just nails it. The dress’s fabric might look a bit cheap in some shots, but the silhouette fits Erika’s body perfectly, and along with these heels, the whole look is just pure sexiness. The golden parts on the sides gave the impression as if they didn’t exist every time the sun hit them, and it gave a nice illusion as if the dress was cut out in these areas. Well played, Erika!

Georgia

Nothing too special for Mariam. This dress is a safe bet all the way. BUT! It works perfectly. It gives the exact vibes of elegance and effortless glam that one would expect for an opening ceremony. The dress is classical and not too loud. It’s very present but also very calm and has nothing too crazy happening. We’ve seen former Georgian female singers going crazy for the opening ceremony. But Mariam just does it in her own way. Elegant and glamorous! I simply love it!

Greece

I expected more. I expected something else. Klavdia’s dress is just not it. It honestly looks like a fabric was taken from an ’80s or 90’s sofa and was tailored to turn it into a dress. This isn’t the camp we’ve seen in Albania’s case, nor is it the fearless sexiness Finland had or the Georgian glam. This is simply bad. Really bad.

Israel

Like her or hate her. I really couldn’t care any less. We can open a discussion about her outfit for the contest itself and its pros and cons. But Yuval’s dress was one of the most beautiful ones yesterday. It was simple but elegant. And with that twist on the “Classical” dress silhouette with these lips (Eurovision 2000 hello?) the dress was simply beautiful! Loved it!

Malta

The EBU might have managed to prevent Miriana Conte from serving Kant. But, it obviously couldn’t prevent her from serving camp, mess, and some more camp. And this outfit is a mess. I can see the black dress that served as a base for this artistic creation, but then who decided to stick all this ongoing mess on it? This dress is as messed up as my thoughts after a night out and before the triple-shot espresso; I need to start focusing. It’s present, it’s not something one can ignore that easily (If ever) but that’s as far as it goes. It’s not something I see anyone wearing and Miriana shouldn’t have either. She is not serving kant or serving anything but a whole mess. Sorry, not sorry.

Montenegro

Another twist on a classical silhouette! Nina’s dress can be seen in two parts, just do it right: Shoulders down with a classical floor-length dress silhouette that gives a formal vibe with endless elegance. I loved the decision to reveal the shoulders, although it was possible to keep them hidden. Great choice! The second part is shoulders up with what looks like a hood Nina is wearing/not wearing, and gives the whole look the twist that pushes it up 10 levels higher and gives it a far more glamorous vibe. One of my favourites of this ceremony.

Poland

Now, Justyna’s is the answer to all I mentioned before as a big no-no. That’s how a dress should look like for an opening ceremony if you want to be elegant and sexy at the same time. That’s the way you reveal skin without revealing too much. And THAT’s how you nail red. This dress is just pure sexiness, glam, and elegance coming together. Amazing! Hands down!

Spain

Another dress, another twist. Melody’s dress reminds me of something Schiaparelli would include in their collections. The twist on the black dress with that built-in golden chest piece makes the dress both modern and interesting. It’s a young look that fits the event without breaking the codes it shouldn’t. The twist doesn’t make it campy or cheap. It does a great job pushing the dress a level higher rather than it being yet “another” black dress.

What do you think of the participants’ outfits? Let us know in the comments below, or on our social media pages.