There can be no complaints following the staging of the Supa Stylistic 19th annual Mother and Daughter Pageant on Saturday night at the National Cultural Centre, which produced three queens and three princesses.
Arguably one of the better family-oriented events, it got off to an exciting start with 23 pairs of mothers and daughters competing in Junior, Middle and Senior Categories under the theme ‘Love’s magic moment’, and it was a night of magic and love indeed.
All told, six pairs contested the Junior Category, while the Middle Category featured 10 pairs.
The most looked forward to segment, the Seniors, featured seven pairs competing for prizes of trips in and out of Guyana, jewellery, and dinners amongst other prizes.
The highlight of the evening brought out competitive examples of what the bond of mother and daughter can be to mold that fabric of strong womanhood and love for family.
In the end, the winning pairs were Sharon Singh and Lashauna, Shivonne Gill and Jenelle, and Renita Duncan and LeShae in the Senior, Middle and Junior Categories, respectively.
The seven pairs in the Senior Category were all resplendently dressed as queens and princesses in their own right but the winners of the night were the most deserving of the title, judging from the audience’s celebratory applause.
Sharon Singh and her daughter, Lashaunna were a most pleasing and relevant sight to behold in their attire. Though a bit on the chubby side, they looked like twins with their matching rust-coloured Georgette roman influenced gowns designed by Pat Coates, which softly flowed to the floor. From entrance to exit the audience celebrated their bond as they floated across the stage playfully. As the crowd favourite and winners of the judges’ nod, they will enjoy an all expenses paid trip to Barbados, jewellery, a night at Princess Hotel amongst other prizes.
First runners-up, Barbara Derrick and Tanisha wore teal (green and blue) gowns, accentuated by silver designed by Michael Chase. Their gowns were cut on the bias to create a shimmering effect as if they were at the Le Meridian Pegasus for a Presidential ball.
The second runners-up pair, Veronica Charles and Micheala wore outfits designed by Michelle Cole for a night at the Oscars. Ready for the red carpet, their elegant evening dresses were a combination of purple, turquoise and lilac with mild silver shimmering and a fish tail effect, complemented by trails.
With 10 pairs in the Middle Category, though some of the contestants went on picnics, the judges sure had their work cut out as competition was fierce for the trip to Trinidad and Tobago among other prizes. However, while some thought that Dr. Karen Boyle and Keziah could have won, the majority were in support of the judges’ choice of the winners, Shivonne Gill and Jenelle.
They wore almost matching linen dresses that sported strips of red and black, which were put together by Sonia Noel for a day of fun in the National Park. Mom complemented her attire with a large hat that differentiated her from her daughter and they bonded well with a sincere playful attitude which showed that their presentation was real as best friends would do. Hence, they won over the second place finishers Dr. Boyle and her daughter.
Karen Gorden-Boyle and Keziah were dressed for the annual Inner Wheel Club tea party in pastel colours and mild yellow, accessorised by peacock feathers. Mom’s outfit was off the shoulders and it was complemented by a sombrero-like hat.
The audience celebrated when the daughter’s skirt was transformed into a white apron for mom to serve patrons at the tea party, while the mother’s bottom was removed to change her outfit into a pants suit.
The third place finishers, Kellianne Daniels and her daughter Keziah also offered a true interpretation of love’s magic moment in Guyana’s forests as created by designer Donna Ramsammy-James. Their interchangeable outfits represented Guyana’s flora and fauna.
There were only six pairs in the Junior Category but the competition was most heart-warming to see lasses from as young as four-years-old bond with their moms.
Fun and frolic at a friend’s six-year-old party is what Renita Duncan and Leshae depicted in their mostly white dresses, sprinkled with red and other flowers. The daughter blew bubbles as her mother paraded across the stage in their Olympia Sonnaram created matching dresses. And in the end they won the competition without complain from the audience.
Shivonne Gill and Donelle, the second place finishers offered a depiction of fashion and fantasy in their several shades of pink with a splash of green outfits. The daughter wore slides and pranced around in green and pink creations by Sonia Noel. Their message was one for women and cancer, and also spoke of protecting the environment.
The other pairs that competed in this category were Natalie King and Niveal, who went to a birthday party wearing orange and gold dresses designed by Cole Facts. Alana Gravesande and Nianna, who were pretty in pink and white, went to a garden party. Kauandasha Scott and Tiamare went to a tea party at the Herdmanston Lodge, while Odette Myres and Natasia enjoyed the lasses birthday party.
The other pairs in the Middle Category were Shemane Short and Shemya who went to a youth club party and fashion show wearing blue balloon-like tube tops pants suits, which transformed into strapless orange dresses much to the audience’s liking.
Althea Bristol and Collithea honoured President Bharrat Jagdeo for being named champion of the earth at a special tea party at State House. They wore two shades of blue, accessorised with bamboo and lattice work created by designer Sonia Noel.
Oneika Adams and Shanaka wore blue and pink skirt suits created by Yvonne Smith, ideal for a picnic. Sharon Bailey and Grace attended an art exhibition at the Castellani House dressed in orange linen and khaki adorned with handmade roses accessorising the attire.
Beverly Junor and Joyann wore pink to a picnic but their bond was not the best on stage.
Indira Ramnauth and her daughter Amrita wore the essence of spring in pink, pastel and violet dresses created by Michelle Cole. The daughter’s skirt was removed to reveal a pants suit while the part removed was tied around her mother’s waist to complement the mother’s dress.
To conclude that segment, Michelle Clarke and Angelique were off to the Promenade Gardens wearing orange caprice suits with some lattice work and some hand paintings as well as handmade jewellery.
The other participants in the Senior Category were Natasha Persaud and Nikesha, who donned sky blue to green dresses that had bodices of layered petals on their flowing dresses. Mom’s dress was a single strap that converted to two around the neck while the daughter’ s dress was an off the shoulder with hugging short sleeves and silver accessories that were created by Sonia Noel.
Fraulette Shepherd and her daughter Kizzy wore pearl blue satin dresses designed by Ramesh Gobin accentuated by a black section. Mom’s gown bore spaghetti straps while the daughter’s was strapless accentuated by diamantes and silver.
Omefa Elgin and Junette were headed to a cotillion and sported gowns with colours of black, red, silver and white designed by Olympia Sonnaram. The daughter’s bustier effect gown, worn off the shoulder, had some hand paintings while the mother was a bit conservative, accessorised by silver.
They both sported oriental influenced fans.
Shevone Helligar and Andriana closed that segment by dressing for a ball in cream and brown organza and bridal satin dresses that were complemented by ruffles across one side of their shoulders.
By Mondale Smith
The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is a spacious venue but judging from the turn out of the nation’s youth yesterday, it might not be the first choice next year for the KKR school show. It would seem that the event has outgrown the location.
Come June 26, next, nine Guyanese beauties will take on each other for a chance to be Guyana’s first beauty ambassador to the Miss Earth pageant. The international pageant is slated for staging in Vietnam by October month end.