Miss Nevada Alana Lee in a purple cocktail dress from Express at Fashion Show mall.

For the past five years, contestants from the Miss America Pageant have spent the Saturday before the big night walking the runway at Fashion Show mall. This year, the ladies teamed up with Express to show off cocktail and evening looks from the retailer as they strutted down the runway with their fans cheering them on.

All 53 contestants picked out their favorite looks for the turn down the runway. Miss South Carolina Bree Boyce showed off her new svelte figure after losing 114 pounds. Miss Washington Brittney Henry kept her cool when she stepped out of her platform heel on the runway and gracefully stepped back in. Miss Nevada Alana Lee stood out in her purple cocktail dress. Before the fashion show, Lee had a problem with her dress and had to quickly pick out a different one. That made her the only contestant donning a color, a coincidence, according the Express representatives.

Each woman picked out her favorite look from Express. Sequins, animal prints and looks in black dominated the runway, with each contestant rocking out the look that best suited her. Some dresses were specially made for the runway show, while others will make their way into stores this spring if they’re not there already. Las Vegan Lynn Weidner, Miss New Jersey 1971 and current member of the board of directors of the Miss America Organization, introduced the ladies as the mistress of ceremonies wearing a hot pink Michael Kors dress from the resort collection.

Beforehand, Express representatives showed off new looks from the store. Brightly colored denim still dominates, and pairs well with blinged out T-shirts with jungle motifs. The Editor pants remain Express’ No. 1 seller with its flared legs, while the slimmer silhouette of the Columnist pants is gaining ground. Jackets that hit the waist work well for the working girl, while sheer kimono-sleeved tops paired with sequined tanks create a more casual evening look. Tangerine tango, the color of the year from Pantone, had a special place upfront and center in the store, while cobalt blue still has its place in spring fashions.

Miss America will wear Express exclusively at all appearances during her yearlong reign, a first for the pageant and retailer.

You can find Express at Fashion Show mall, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 702-737-8999.

Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Like Haute Living Las Vegas? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter. Want Haute Living Las Vegas delivered to your in box once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.