Press release GUYANA CHRONICLE SUNDAY 3/OCT/04

Miss Guyana World prepares for contests by Shauna Jemmott

SUZETTE Shim, Miss Guyana World 2004, is all set to leave Guyana for London, before proceeding to China to compete with some the world's most beautiful women for the 'Model of the World' and 'Miss World' crowns in November and December, respectively.

Shim was selected by the K.M. Chung promotions earlier this year as Miss Guyana World, and was crowned by Miss Guyana World 2003 Alexis Glasgow in July at a musical theatrical show, Crown, Pearls and Dancing Girls staged by the committee as a replacement for this year's local pageant.

Miss Guyana World committee executive member Asmita Chand told the Sunday Chronicle that the queen is scheduled to depart Guyana October 16 for London, where she will spend one week. While there, she will be guest of honour at a Reception to be hosted by the Guyana High Commission in London.

She will also host a Miss Guyana World organised Dinner and Dance, also in London. She will depart London on October 24 for Shunde, in the Canton Region of Southern China, to compete with more than 100 international models in the Model of the World contest to be held November 7. At Model of the World, she will compete in national costume, swimwear, evening gown and interview segments.

Immediately after participating in that contest, Shim joins the Miss World Party in Sanya, China on November 8, to prepare for Miss World which will be staged December 4.

Shim will participate in a tour of China from November 9 to 11 before arriving in Sanya on November 12. A welcome dinner will be hosted November 13 at the Sanya Sheraton Resort.

Competition begins the following day with the Beachwear Final at the resort, followed by the November 18 Sports Event Finals and a fashion show on November 23. A Coronation Ball will be held after the pageant on December 4.

According to an online message from Chairman of Miss World Organisation, Julia Morley, 120 contestants are expected to compete this year in the pageant known as one of the most attractive events. Each delegate is expected to present a gift to the organisation to be auctioned at a spectacular gala fundraiser dinner for charities in China.

According to the Miss Guyana World committee, Ms. Shim's gift to the committee is a gold necklace, which was provided by the Government of Guyana.

The delegates are also required to present the committee a book illustrative of their respective countries to make up the Miss World library, which will be donated to a school in China.

Morley said six major television events will be organised during the three-and-a-half week event period, and "each special programme gives one contestant an opportunity to fast track into the Miss World Final". This year's fast track events include sports and fitness, top fashion model, beach beauty, performing talent and scholarship award, and the winner of each competition automatically advances to the final.

There will also be a global online voting system where all contestants' photographs and information will appear on the official Miss world Website at www.missworld.tv and the viewing public will be given the chance to decide who the next Miss World will be.

"The 54th Miss World is therefore a celebration of beauty culture, peace and understanding, set against a background of achievement and excellence. It is an example to young women all over the world of what they can accomplish," Morley explained.

Guyana's 'Designer of the year', Derek Moore, who is also Artistic Director of the Miss Guyana World committee told the Chronicle earlier this year that he is working very hard to capture the hearts of the Miss World judges and have Guyana's delegate advance into the finals through the qualifying fashion event. He said last year he thought Alexis Glasgow had a good chance of advancing through that avenue, but she was unfortunate although many international fashion watchers attending the event opined that she had the most beautiful evening gown.

This year again, the queen's competition gown will be designed by Moore, crafted from the fabric of saris and complemented by beads.

The local pageant committee said her entire wardrobe will feature pieces designed by Moore and Pat Coates. Other pieces worth more than $200,000 were donated by Clairans Enterprises, as well as John Lewis Styles, Stretch Your Dollar Variety Store, Big Gill Fashion and Fazia' s Collection. According to information coming out of the committee negotiations are being made with sponsors and the Miss World Organisation, to have the Miss World Contest broadcast live in Guyana for the first time. (Shauna Jemmott)

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