'Woman in Red' takes the crown
by Nivedta Kowlessar and Wendella Davidson
AN ALLURING 20-year-old `Woman in Red', Morvinia Sobers, captured the 1999 Miss Guyana crown in a surprise win early yesterday morning as the pageant made a bold comeback after seven years. But the closely-judged contest was not without some controversy. The five feet eight inches Leo beauty, sponsored by the Guyana Lottery Company, edged seven others to sit on the vacant throne and represent this country at the Miss Universe pageant on May 26 in Trinidad. The victory, culminating an almost five-hour programme at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, was soured by a `walk out' and screams by sections of the nearly packed house objecting to the first runner-up spot going to Indra Changa, Miss Action Tyre. Many felt the second runner-up, Nevillean Dundas, Miss GT&T Yellow Pages, who outshone all the contestants in the interview segment, should have clinched the crown or the next best position, occupied by Changa. By the time Youth and Culture Minister, Ms. Gail Teixeira capped her long-haired head with the gleaming silver crown at around 12:45 hrs, the broadly smiling Sobers was alone with a handful of well-wishers, after disgruntled patrons had hurriedly exited the building. Resplendent in scarlet, the modest queen who won over supporters in all segments, except the intelligence category, appeared initially shocked when the audited judges' decision was announced by emcee Carlton James. "I feel overwhelmed," she told reporters minutes after, pledging to do all in her power to be a good ambassador for her country at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant. The Computer Studies student who ended the long evening at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, carted away as her prizes - fees for a four-year course at the University of Guyana or $300,000 in cash; an exercise machine, compliments of Gift Centre; a gold necklace from L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons and a giant food hamper from Grace Kennedy International. The curvaceous 33-24-38 Karasabai-bred beauty wowed the sometimes boisterous audience with graceful body language in a swim suit in shades of green and a flowing red backless gown. Appearing as Delegate Number Four, Sobers, looking radiant and regal in an outfit designer Michelle Cole dubbed `Red and Ready', created quite an impression as she descended the white makeshift palm-shaded stairway on the arm of a Senior Petty Officer of the Guyana Defence Force Marine Wing. The crowd broke into thunderous applause as she expertly glided across the stage, amid a romantic backdrop, showing off the breathtaking gown which petered out into a flair with a fish-tail effect. The lame creation featured chiffon tucked from the bustline and wrapped around both arms, before meeting at the back for a cowl effect and draping on both sides. A gold choker necklace, tear-drop gold earrings and red toeless high-heeled strapped shoes, completed her evening wear ensemble, accentuated with a complementing hairstyle of loose drop curls and a mild upsweep by Maria La Rose of Blue Flame Beauty Salon. Her makeup was done by Beauti Bank. For swimwear, Sobers donned a bottlegreen off-the-shoulder piece, supported on the right by a spaghetti strap, which did much to show off her mermaid-like figure. A sky-blue chiffon sash with mild touches of green and white was tucked from the right shoulder and let loose down the back, giving her a unique appearance. With hair flowing freely, gold shoes, earrings, and a green armband, a confident looking Sobers made an impact on the crowd, including Prime Minister Sam Hinds, People's National Congress leader, Mr. Desmond Hoyte, members of the diplomatic corps and others. Changa, the last to take to the stage in each segment as Delegate Number Eight, chose a gown of martime azure with an iridescent braid detail gathering at the neckline and bustline and continuing to her right hip. The outfit, designed by Trinidadian Jagdeo Rampersaud, was described as `Out of Blue'. Long, droop earrings of the same decorative braid, and platform shoes were her other matching pieces, crowned by an upsweep hairstyle by Carlotta Williams and make-up by Beauti Bank artistes. For her swimwear, Changa chose a style similar to that of the winner, but of fushia, which she matched with a flowered chiffon scarf bearing splashes of fuchsia, yellow and blue. Black high-heeled shoes, earrings and an armband complemented the outfit. The five feet seven inches Aquarius-born contestant, who works as a presenter/assistant editor for the GTV morning newscast, won a ticket for two to Barbados, compliments of BWIA; gold earrings donated by L. Seepersaud Maraj and Sons, and a Nestle hamper from M. Beepat and Sons. Despite expressions of mockery from some sections of the audience, Changa stood her ground, maintaining a smiling composure and even managed to render a few `Soca' lines during the interview segment, in the end winning the crowd momentarily on her side. Dundas, appearing as Delegate Number Three, chose her favourite colour, blue, for her a `Simply Royal' locally-designed effect. The yoked dress of beaded sequins and stretch lace featured spaghetti straps and a matching chiffon shawl and she completed the ensemble with toeless footwear and simple earrings. Like the queen, she chose a bottle-green off-the-shoulder swimsuit, also held intact by spaghetti straps, high-heeled off-white shoes, a mild green figured scarf with bold splashes of white. Dark green earrings completed her ensemble. Her hairstyles and makeup were done by Colleen Reece and David of M'Lady's. May-Ann Cheong, sponsored by Le Meridien Pegasus, wore a full-length chiffon dress with iridescent and black coin sequins, diamante sequinned accessories and silver earrings. She won the Miss Photogenic prize of a golden Miss Guyana memento from Gaskin and Jackson Jewellers. Sinicka Bobb, Miss Bonny and Bossie International, who copped the Miss Congeniality prize of a King's Jewellery World gold chain, dazzled the audience with a choker-styled floor length chameuse gown with diamante detail and trimmings, diamante accessories and footwear. Bonita Joseph, Miss Rayon House of Fashion, whose `The Lure of Kaieteur' white and gold gippure ensemble with flowered motifs, was also stunning in an outfit completed with matching gold shoes, diamante necklace and earrings. Carla Halley, Miss King Solomon's Enterprises who enjoyed continuous support from the house, disappointed she had not placed in the top three, chose a flowing red gown with fine straps crisscrossing at the back. The event for which patrons bought $2,000 and $4,000 tickets, was judged by businessman, Mr. Malcom Panday; Mr. Paul Fung-A-Fat, Chief Magistrate; Mr. Brian `Straighty' Nobrega, Entertainer; Ms. Paloma Mohamed, former Miss Guyana contestant; Mrs. C. Rahaman, businesswoman; Ms. Margo Hope; physical instructor and Venezuelan Ambassador, Mr. Hector Azocar. The programme kicked off about 65 minutes after the scheduled 21:00 hrs start with remarks by pageant director, Mr. Sri Yoogeandra and advisor, Mr. Odinga Lumumba. Rich music from the `Jahrusalem' band did much to ease the boredom, however, as the extremely composed contestants readied backstage where the smell of make-up, perfume, hairspray permeated the air. Emcee James, who co-hosted the programme with GTV General Manager, Ms. Rhyaan Shaw, quipped that the women in the audience, without any further preparation, could very well have been up on stage, given their breathtaking gowns and elaborate hairstyles. It was truly an evening of `All Colours - One Rainbow', the theme of the contest, long awaited by Guyanese.
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