Cynthia Duque, Miss Universe Mexico 2013; Riza Santos, Miss Universe Canada 2013; and Erin Brady, Miss USA 2013; pose for a photo during arrivals for the National Gift Auction at Crocus City Mall on October 30, 2013. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P
Cynthia Duque, Miss Universe Mexico 2013; Riza Santos, Miss Universe Canada 2013; and Erin Brady, Miss USA 2013; pose for a photo during arrivals for the National Gift Auction at Crocus City Mall on October 30, 2013. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)

The Miss Universe 2013 contestants presented a colourful spectacle as they wore gowns to attend the National Gift Auction event at Crocus City Mall in Moscow.

At the National Gift Auction gala, the beauties presented their national assets such as mementos, paintings, pottery, costumes and books. The national gifts presented by the contestants will be auctioned off to raise money for Gift of Life charity.

The contestants looked gorgeous in their bespoke gowns of myriad designs and hues.

Miss Universe Honduras Diana Schoutsen, Miss Universe Poland Paulina Krupinska and Miss Universe Great Britain Amy Willerton donned winter white gowns, while others chose from a range of silver, blue, red, pink, metallic and crimson shades.

Vision in white: Misses Universe Honduras, Poland and Great Britain. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Vision in white: Misses Universe Honduras, Poland and Great Britain. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)

"Miss Universe Austria (Doris Hofmann) & Miss a Universe Venezuela (Gabriela Isler) decided to go with body-hugging silhouettes at last night's event. Both looked beautiful!" Miss Universe Organization wrote on its official Facebook page.

Miss Universe Indonesia and Miss Universe Peru show off their gorgeous gowns at National Gift Presentation and Auction. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Miss Universe Indonesia and Miss Universe Peru show off their gorgeous gowns at National Gift Presentation and Auction. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)

Miss Universe Turks & Caicos Snwazna Adams, Bahamas' Lexi Wilson, Alexa Viruez of Bolivia and Miss Universe Mexico Cynthia Duque teamed up to stun in trendy shades of cobalt colured gowns.

Miss Universe contestants dazzle in blue gowns. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Miss Universe contestants dazzle in blue gowns. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)

A few contestants, especially Manasi Moghe of India, opted for their national costumes. Moghe looked elegant in a designer saree, the traditional Indian six-yard attire.

Miss Universe India goes the traditional way. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Miss Universe India goes the traditional way. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)

All the 86 contestants of the Miss Universe contest will wear gowns for the first time during the preliminary competition of the pageant on 5 November. The contest will be streamed live from the official website of the pageant at 11 am EST (3pm BST).

The National Gift Auction event provided a preview of the beautiful ensembles the contestants will show off at the preliminary round.

Miss Universe 2013, currently in its 62nd edition, is being held in Moscow, for the first time in Russia in the pageant's history. A contestant will succeed the reigning Miss Universe 2012, Olivia Culpo of USA, at the pageant's grand finale at Moscow's Crocus City Hall on 9 November. (Read: Miss Universe 2013 Timeline).

Scroll down to view the photos of the contestants wearing gorgeous gowns.

Bold vs red: Vision in white: Simona Burbaite, Miss Universe Lithuania 2013 (L) and Riza Santos, Miss Universe Canada. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Bold vs red: Vision in white: Simona Burbaite, Miss Universe Lithuania 2013 (L) and Riza Santos, Miss Universe Canada. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Miss Universe contestants in blue ensembles (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Miss Universe contestants in blue ensembles (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Black is elegant when it coves to floor-length gowns. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Black is elegant when it coves to floor-length gowns. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Contestants exhibit girlish trend in pink. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Contestants exhibit girlish trend in pink. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Metallic is in vogue with Miss Universe contestants. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Metallic is in vogue with Miss Universe contestants. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Shades of green and teal colour is evergreen in fashion.  (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Shades of green and teal colour is evergreen in fashion. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Dark hues silhouette out the contestants' toned figure. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Dark hues silhouette out the contestants' toned figure. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Miss Universe contestants look elegant in winter white lace dress and peach gown. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)
Miss Universe contestants look elegant in winter white lace dress and peach gown. (Photo: MIss Universe Organization L.P., LLLP)