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Friday July 31, 2009

Estee Lauder model search ends

AFTER 11 weeks of preliminaries, spanning several cities across the nation, two grand prize winners were finally announced at the Estée Lauder Model Search Finale held on July 13.

The finale held at the Suria KLCC Concourse was a star-studded event hosted by the multi-talented celebrity team of Nazrudin Rahman, also known as Naz, and the beautiful Daphne Iking. There was even a special performance by violinist extraordinaire Dennis Lau who was accompanied by Yuri and Jimmy Sax.

The finale saw 20-year-old Jennifer Pedersen with her mesmerising energy and winning personality crowned the Grand Prize Winner in the Below 29-year-old Category. Those must be the goddess-like qualities in her that inspired Malaysian designer Sonny San's eclipse collection, created for the participants of the Estée Lauder model search.

"I am bubbly and playful," admitted Pederson who not only beat nine other finalists in the category but also went on to bag the Estée Lauder-Sony Most Photo Perfect title.

The humble Pedersen said she did not even think she could be the main winner.

Like so many other hopefuls who took part in the contest, which is in its third year running, Pedersen encountered many new experiences as she went through the rigorous preparations leading up to the catwalk finale.

As part of the preparations, the finalists were given a one-day intensive catwalk and modelling training by Malaysia's top modelling agency, Andrews Models.

Commenting on the training, Pedersen said, "It was really tiring and intense for me. We only had three hours of sleep over the two days."

But Pedersen's main grouse was not so much the beneficial training but the high heels she had to wear for the catwalk.

"We had to wear high heels, which I dislike and so that was really challenging for me," she added. But she didn't deny the experience had given her an insight into the world of modelling, especially where improving her poise and confidence are concerned.

For 37-year-old Carol Lai, being the Grand Prize winner for the Above 30-year-old Category meant building her self-confidence about her body.

"I am a yoga instructor therefore my body is more muscular compared to the other finalists. I was a bit self-conscious but I feel great about winning although I am very surprised that I did," she said.

Lai hopes she can be an inspiration to other women her age to believe that they can achieve whatever they want in life without age being a barrier.

"I have learned that if you have the will, everything is achievable. I have more confidence in myself now – on the catwalk. I improved my posture and I made a lot of friends who I will definitely keep in contact with," she said.

Like Pedersen, Lai too did not dream of winning the Grand Prize. "I thought I'd have a chance at winning the eclipse Most Elegant title. I am a bit disappointed that I didn't but I was so surprised instead to win the main title," she said.

Lai contributed her win to the strong answers she gave for the Q&A session as well as catwalk modelling.

"I think I scored in my catwalk as well because I have good body posture and I showed confidence," she said.

While Pedersen found finalists Juanita Anusha Francis and Soraya Khatijah Matthews her biggest competitors, Lai said her biggest challenge came from Natasha Osman, Christel Helene Zamaron, Sharifah Fetom Syed Ali and Beatrice Au.

This year's event attracted a record-breaking 3,200 contestants. Is it any wonder considering the prizes at stake?

Not only did Pederson and Lai take home the Estée Lauder Malaysia Brand Ambassador title. They also won an all-expense paid 3D/2N stay at the Tanjung Jara Resort; they will be flown there by Malaysia Airlines and the professional photography session at the resort will be conducted by Sony. The two winners will also have a beauty spread in Malaysia's top fashion magazines, a year's worth of Estée Lauder products worth RM12,000, a Sony cyber-shot DSC-T900 Premium T worth RM1,499, eclipse shopping vouchers worth RM1,500, a model's portfolio worth RM2,000, and RM1,000 worth of hairstyling services at Miko Hair Studio.

Although she did not win the grand prize, 23-year-old model Juanita Anushya Francis did manage to secure two titles – the eclipse Most Elegant and the Andrews Model Most Promising Catwalk.

"I feel very happy, excited and also privileged to be bestowed these two titles," she said. "These wins will be a stepping stone for me to gain more exposure in the modelling industry," she added.

Claiming to be a novice in modelling, Anushya said she joined the contest for fun.

"It was not easy because the catwalk and modelling training was short and intensive. I listened to the instructions given and practised in front of the camera as well as watched myself in the mirror," she said.

After winning the two titles, Anushya who is into wake boarding, bungee jumping and paragliding now has one more adventure to jump into – the world of modelling, hosting TV shows and acting.

The 20 finalists of the Estée Lauder Model Search were judged based on beauty, how good they look on film, communication skills, poise and body shape. The judges were Katrina Liew, Estée Lauder Brand General Manager; television host Lynn Lim who is also Estée Lauder Malaysia's brand ambassador; international model Amber Chia; George Wong, Product Manager of Sony; Miko Au, founder and CEO of Miko Hair Studio; Sonny San, Creative Director of eclipse and Andrew Tan, CEO and Founder of Andrews Models.