KNYSNA NEWS - Thirteen years on from the last time a Miss Pearl was crowned, Saira Felix was named Miss Pearl 2022 during a very special pageant and fashion show hosted by Ace Models Knysna and Sedgefield on Friday 1 July.
The pageant featured 40 models from up and down the Garden Route, split between four age categories - 0 to 6, 7 to 12, 13 to 17, and 18+ - with three sashes handed out per category as prizes.
The special occasion was hosted at Woodmill Walk Shopping Centre on Friday afternoon, and after a brief introduction by Ace Models Knysna and Sedgefield director Charmaine Kruger, the competition was underway.
The first portion of the pageant featured the Mini Miss Pearl (0-6) and Junior Miss Pearl (7-12) categories. With the youngest participant, Hunter Goets, only eight months old the little ones were dazzling, beguiling and adorable beyond measure.
In the Mini Miss Pearl category Krishna du Plessis was second princess and Nika Nysschen first princess, but the title of Mini Miss Pearl went to Johané Derckson. Next up in the Junior Miss Pearl category Abigail Lesch was the second princess and Lilly Sonjani the first princess, and the Junior Miss Pearl crown was given to Rosie Koch.
The second half of the pageant signalled the time for the Teen Miss Pearl (13-17) and Miss Pearl (18+) categories. In the Teen Miss Pearl category, Asia Francis was named second princess and Madre-Anne Pieterse was chosen as first princess, with Inganathi Njwayi named Teen Miss Pearl. The Miss Pearl category was the jewel in the event's crown, and the quality of entrants attested to this with the judges having a tough time selecting the winners.
Winner in the Junior Miss Pearl category Rosie Koch.
But, after the top five contestants answered a question set out by the judges the top three could be selected - second princess and the 'Marketing Queen' (for the best promotional work prior to the pageant) was Dané Venter; first princess was Nadene Polayya; and the crown of Miss Pearl 2022 went to Saira Felix.
The pageant was not only a showcase of beauty and elegance, but also featured a touch of charitable work. Local Miss Grand South Africa finalist Angelique Fourie was one of the judges for the pageant, and she modelled two dresses that were designed by members of the iThemba Skills Development Centre's dressmaking class.
The two dresses were the runner-up and winner in a recent competition held by the centre - a gold dress with mini underskirt and beaded off-the-shoulder bodice designed by Vuyokazi Makapela (runner-up) and a peacock dress with exposed shoulder, low back and peacock feather-like skirt designed by Josephine Mbonwanayo (winner). Fourie wore these dresses at different stages throughout the evening, showcasing the skill and expertise shown by the iThemba designers.
"It has not only exposed them to new dressmaking techniques, but has also taught them many life lessons like time management and confidence in their capabilities. They did an amazing job," said their teacher, Katinka Ruhe of iThemba's design competition.
"Thank you to Charmaine Kruger and Angelique Fourie for giving the iThemba designers this opportunity to be involved in this event."
Mini Miss Pearl winner Johané Derckson.
The three winners in the Miss Pearl 18+ category. From left: first princess Nadene Polayya, Miss Pearl 2022 Saira Felix, and second princess/Marketing Queen Dané Venter. Photos: Black n White Visual Media
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