Antiguan Model Shines In TNT

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Fashion & Beauty

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 02:31

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - Just-discovered Antiguan model Krystal Benjamin sufficiently impressed the judges last Saturday during the final leg of the Elite Caribbean Model Look 2011 in Port of Spain Trinidad to earn a trip to the finals next month in China.

Pre-final selections started months ago in the various islands/territories of the Caribbean, stretching from Jamaica in the north to Guyana in the south. Twenty one hopefuls were selected, including two Antiguan beauties, Krystal Benjamin (Southwell Models) and Mirium Wright (Sashe Model).

The weekend's finals opened with much fanfare, after which the models paraded in black swimsuits of various cuts, then into multi-coloured kaftan-styled outfits, after which the top 10 were selected.

The two Antiguans were selected, along with representatives from Guyana (1), Haiti (2), Jamaica (1), Trinidad (1), Tobago (1), Barbados (1) and St Vincent (1).

The top 10 then modelled brightly coloured matte jersey dresses before a highly qualified panel of judges which included former Project Runway winner and Miss Trinidad & Tobago 2008, designer Anya Ayoung-Chee assessed their performance.

The top three finalists were then announced:

Finalist #1 – Krystal Benjamin (Antigua)
Finalist #2 – Amanda King (Guyana)
Finalist #3 – Shenika Fernandez (Trinidad).

This is the start of what could be a life changing experience for these aspiring super models, who will venture off to Shanghai, China to compete with over 80 models from around the world in a quest to become the Elite Model Look of the year winner. The competition started in 1983, and has inspired reality shows such as America’s Next Top Model and Make Me a Super Model.

Success will catapult the winner into instant stardom, along with a modelling contract with this prestigious model agency worth US$1,000,000.

Past winners included super models Frederique Vanderwal (1985) and Ingrid Seynhaeve (1991) both of whom are renowned in the model industry.


Other contenders in such contests include Cindy Crawford, Tatiana Patitz, Linda Egangelista, and Stephanie Seymore all supermodels of the 1980’s and Victoria’s Secret models - Heidi Klum (Host of Project Runway), Alessandra Ambrosia, Giselle Bounchen, and Isabeli Fontana - current supermodels.

This is the second time that Antigua has had some recognition in an Elite Model Contest. In 1994, Gina Lisa Meyer competed and won in South Beach, Miami.

Both Meyer and Benjamin were discovered and trained by fashion designer Calvin S, and represent his agency, Southwell Models.
Benjamin leaves in two weeks for the international finals in China on December 6.

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