Lace Corset by 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐎
Necklace by Erickson Beamon
Brooch by Stylist Own
Earrings by Erickson Beamon
Bracelet by Erickson Beamon
Skirt by Hervé Léger

There’s more to pageantry than a glassy crown and blinding stage lights—it's a springboard for change. For Christiana DiNardo, newly crowned Miss New York USA, the title isn't about outer beauty. It's about purpose. The crown is a chance to merge her love for fashion, female empowerment and service. DiNardo grew up ringing Salvation Army bells with her mother and grandmother, where she learned about giving back to others. But, it wasn’t until her finance career when she realized she could channel her professional expertise into mentorship. That path led her to Dress for Success, where she continues to guide women, helping them with the professional development tools and confidence they need to enter the next chapter of their careers. But being a philanthropist and career woman isn’t all that defines her. From finance to journalism, and from modeling to her current role as Fashion Editor of PhotoBook Magazine, DiNardo’s career reflects the same spirit she brings to pageantry: authenticity, passion, and a commitment to making an impact.

Champagne Gold Sequin & Crystal Mesh Dress by CHENG HUAI CHUANG
Clarita 100 Golden by Alexandre Birman
Earrings by Erickson Beamon

You’ve described this process as both a personal journey and a chance to merge your passions. In what ways does this crown feel like a bridge between your professional journey and your commitment to empowering women?
This crown merges two very important parts of who I am, my professional experiences and my lifelong commitment to service. Philanthropy was instilled in me at a very young age. My mom, my grandmother, and I often volunteered together, so giving back has always been at the core of my life. That’s why being Miss New York USA feels like a role I was meant to embrace. For me, it’s not just about holding a title, but about honoring the responsibility of service.

As a mentor with Dress for Success, I have the privilege each week to help women strengthen their confidence and build the professional skills they need to take on new opportunities with readiness and resilience. Seeing the direct impact of lifting others up is deeply meaningful to me.

At the same time, fashion is not only my passion but also my profession. I double-majored in finance and journalism, continue to edit for PhotoBook Magazine, and model in both runway and editorial spaces. This title allows me to bring both of those worlds together using fashion as a platform for influence, and service as a purpose for impact.

To me, Miss New York USA is about using visibility to amplify voices, inspire confidence, and lead with intention. That’s why I’ve always been drawn to initiatives like Dress for Success. It allows me to combine my career in fashion with my commitment to empowering women, and this crown gives me the platform to expand that mission even further.

Gold Sheer Dress with Sequin & Beaded Details by CHENG HUAI CHUANG
Earrings by Erickson Beamon

How will your work as a journalist and storyteller guide your voice as Miss New York USA?
The unique opportunity of being Miss New York USA is having a platform to truly make a difference. I’ve always tried to share meaningful messages, but the crown gives me a microphone to amplify my voice even further.

My background as a journalist and storyteller has taught me the power of authenticity. Stories resonate most when they are genuine, and I believe that same principle applies here. My personality is naturally bubbly and vibrant, and I want young women to see that being yourself is not only enough, but powerful. Our so-called imperfections are what make us real, relatable, and beautiful.

The message I strive to share in everything I do is to unapologetically embrace your authentic self.

What did the pageant preparation process teach you about yourself?
Pageant preparation taught me to be the most genuine version of myself and to embrace the importance of challenging myself. People don’t always realize how difficult it is to prepare, especially in a world shaped by social media, where everyone strives for perfection. But there is no such thing as perfect.

For me, it was never about competing with others; it was about competing with myself. If I can walk into this competition as the most authentic, best version of who I am, then I know I’ve already succeeded. What I hope the organization and audience recognize is the passion and the heart I pour into everything I do.

This journey has taught me more than any other life experience, and that’s why I knew that no matter the outcome, the self-awareness and growth I gained was worth every moment. Pageantry has shown me that as long as you give 100% and stay true to yourself, you’ve already won.

Sami Paillette Plungin Mini Dress by Ramy Brook
Shoes by Gianvito Rossi at THE ARTISANALE
Earrings by Erickson Beamon

As PhotoBook Magazine’s Fashion Editor, you’re already shaping conversations around style and sustainability. How do you see your new role as Miss New York USA complementing the work you do with the magazine?
Part of being Miss New York USA is celebrating a true love for fashion, and that aligns seamlessly with my work at PhotoBook Magazine, where we showcase inclusivity, diversity, and forward-thinking trends. Representing New York, undoubtedly the fashion capital of the world, gives me a unique platform to bring those values to life.

Both PhotoBook Magazine and Miss New York USA share a mission of influence, visibility, and impact. As Fashion Editor, I shape conversations about style and sustainability, and as Miss New York USA, I have the chance to elevate those conversations even further. This role allows me to combine my passion for fashion with my commitment to highlighting the topics, voices, and trends that deserve to be seen and celebrated in our industry.

Later this year you will be competing for the Miss USA crown. What is something you hope to bring to the stage that hasn’t been seen before?
Later this year is coming very soon, as I leave in just a few weeks for Reno, Nevada! What I hope to bring to the Miss USA stage is the “New York edge.” New York is unlike anywhere else. It is the fashion capital of the world, a place where individuality, creativity, and confidence are celebrated every day.

A New Yorker is someone who is unapologetically themselves, passionate about the arts, culture, and fashion, and multifaceted in every way. That’s the energy I want to carry into Miss USA, an edge that reflects authenticity, versatility, and the bold spirit of New York, infused with my own personality and perspective.

**Left:**
Champagne Gold Sequin & Crystal Mesh Dress by CHENG HUAI CHUANG
Clarita 100 Golden by Alexandre Birman
Earrings by Erickson Beamon
**Right:**
Lace Corset by 𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐀𝐔𝐋𝐎
Necklace by Erickson Beamon
Brooch by Stylist Own
Earrings by Erickson Beamon
Bracelet by Erickson Beamon
Skirt by Hervé Léger

Pageant competitions often are stigmatized to be anti-feminist. How do you view pageantry today, and in what ways do you see them empowering women rather than limiting them?
That stigma does still exist, but my experience has been the very definition of the foundation of feminism. Pageantry challenges women to be leaders, role models, and voices for service. Preparing for a title requires strength, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. You have to be disciplined, kind, resilient, and passionate about making an impact.

For me, pageantry has never been about outer beauty alone. Everyone on that stage is beautiful, but what truly matters is being an ambassador; someone who works hard, uplifts others, and represents the organization with integrity. That, to me, is empowering. It proves that women can be multifaceted, embodying confidence, intellect, compassion, and service all at once.

As Miss New York USA, I’ve already made over twenty appearances, serving my community as a host, a model, and a mentor. That experience has reaffirmed that this title is not about simply walking a runway or wearing a crown. It’s about using your platform to amplify voices, champion causes, and redefine what empowerment looks like for women today.

Advocacy and philanthropy are a big part of pageants that is often overlooked. Can you tell us a bit more about the importance and values these bring to the competition?
Service, philanthropy, and advocacy are what first drew me to pageantry, and over the years they’ve given me even greater opportunities to serve both my community and my state. Having a heart for service goes hand in hand with being a true pageant competitor. It’s not a quality that can be manufactured.

Philanthropy was instilled in me early on by my two greatest role models, my mom and grandmother, and it has remained a guiding force throughout my life. What I once thought were simply fun days spent with them, I later realized were moments of giving back, teaching me lessons about service that I couldn’t yet comprehend.

That’s why my work with Dress for Success is so meaningful. I have the privilege of helping women build confidence and develop the professional skills they need to pursue new opportunities. Those experiences remind me that being Miss New York USA is also my opportunity to serve as a role model for women who may not have had strong examples within their own families to look up to.

When advocacy and service are at the core, pageantry becomes more than a competition; it becomes a movement that empowers women to lead with purpose, compassion, and lasting impact.

MELODIE LACE MAXI TOP by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
Where to purchase: available at alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet boutiques and aliceandolivia.com
Gloves by Stylist Own
Akilos Pearl Drop Earring by Astor & Orion

Why did you first decide to work with Dress for Success? How will you continue to amplify your philanthropic work?
I worked in the financial industry for three years. And I was like, okay, this is wonderful. I can give back to Dress for Success. I'm interviewing people all day long. I'm working with top CEOs and executives. I can help these women of Dress for Success with their resumes, mock interviews, their LinkedIn profiles—because this is what I do in my professional life. I was combining my professional experience with my personal life and trying to mentor these women. I felt like I was really able to help them. I ended up moving to New York City about a year ago and my life completely transformed. I really grew in other aspects of my dreams.

You have experience in Finance, Journalism, and Fashion. Is there any discipline you would like to explore in the future?
The TV and film industry. I love talking with people, I could probably talk all day long. I want to eventually explore the TV hosting route. I just hosted New York Fashion Week—and that was so incredible. It was probably the largest hosting opportunity that I've had so far. It was amazing. That would probably be the industry I would like to further explore, and as Miss New York USA, hopefully allow myself more opportunities to do so as well.

How did you feel when you got crowned Miss New York USA?
It didn't feel real. I competed a few times for the title of Miss New York USA, and I was almost always in the top five. There were times when where I felt like I was had a strong chance of winning. I felt like I brought a lot to the organization. But New York is the most competitive state in terms of girls and numbers. I competed against over 165 contestants for Miss New York USA. There are so many amazing, beautiful, and accomplished women. It’s hard from a judge's perspective when they only can talk to you for a few minutes to see what you bring to the organization…this year has been so transformational for me and my personal and professional life. I want to now go on to win Miss USA. That’s the next goal.

Bodysuit by Bettyvonchic
Earrings by Laruicci
Skirt by Erickson Beamon
Boots by Stuart Weitzman

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Christiana DiNardo
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Exclusive Artists
Hair: Geo Brian for Exclusive Artists using ColorWow Hair
Makeup: Yuko Takahashi
Tailor: Cole Sudduth
Assistant Fashion Stylist: Grayce Salaguinto
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Sabine Obermoller, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Studio: Love Studios

Christiana DiNardo, Beauty Beyond the Crown