Organiser aims at black beauty
Published:Sunday | March 9, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Organisers dubbed it the pageant with a difference and Miss Jamaica Mahogany delivered on all counts. Held at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston on February 23, it aimed at showcasing the best of 'black' beauty.
Chief organiser Claude Sinclair told The Sunday Gleaner that the idea developed from him wanting to give young ladies the opportunity to develop their self-confidence and become more self-aware.
"The pageant focuses more on creating self-awareness and self-empowerment rather than beauty."
Convinced that beauty comes in different shapes and sizes, Sinclair titled the pageant Miss Jamaica Mahogany.
"Mahogany is a unique wood, it comes in different shades, all beautiful so I wanted to highlight that beauty comes in many different packages," he said.
Sponsored by SoftSheen-Carson, Scotty Jackson Jewellers among others, the 10 contestants were trained by Umoja and chaperoned by Georgette Powell.
The pageant had all the elements of a successful beauty pageant; there was the swimsuit competition, the evening gown showing and the dreaded question-and-answer segment.
When the curtains came down, only one woman was left standing, Miss Paul Bogle Foundation, Melanie Auld.
The 22-year-old University of Technology (UTech) student walked away with the inaugural crown and the title of Miss Jamaica Mahogany.
Auld also copped top sectional prizes for Most Intelligent and Best Legs.
Along with the title, Auld won a trip to Miami, the Miss Jamaica Mahogany Trophy, The Scotty Jackson Jewellers silver medallion, The General Accident Insurance Company Trophy for most intelligent, a gift basket from SoftSheen-Carson and the Best Figure Trophy.
First runner-up was Krishna Laird (Miss Burlington Sports Bar) and Tissan Richards (Miss Reggae City Sport Bar and Lounge) rounded out the top three.
COURTESY CALLS
As part of her year-long reign Auld is expected to make several courtesy calls to the prime minister and the opposition leader, as well as to the mayor of Kingston and the South African high commissioner.
Sinclair plans to make the pageant an annual one and is already thinking of ways to improve next year's staging.
"We want to make it open to ladies from all parishes and, next year, we really want to push the natural theme a lot more so contestants will have to come completely natural (no processed hair etc)."
Sinclair took the opportunity to thank members of his team for helping to bring the pageant to fruition.
"Big Stone Recordings and Productions marketing manager Samuel Trott, Georgette Powell and Umoja were phenomenal."