Elite Model chooses Singapore as the Venue for its International Finals

Elite Model Management, MS Twilight and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced today that the Elite Model Look International Finals 2003 would be staged in Singapore on 8 November 2003. Singapore will be the second Asian city after Seoul to play host to this prestigious event in 21 years. Previous host cities include Paris, New York, Nice and Rio de Janeiro.

The Elite Model Look contest is one of the largest worldwide model searches of its kind. Elite Model Look 2002 attracted as many as 350,000 participants from over 50 countries. This contest has launched the careers of top models such as Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, Gisele Bundchen, Nourchene Cherif and young catwalk stars such as Natalie Semanova, Yfke Sturm and Mini Anden.

Organized by local event company MS Twilight Pte Ltd and supported by the STB, this world-class modelling event is one of the key highlights of the Singapore Roars campaign. The contract between the representatives of Elite Model Management, MS Twilight and STB was formalized at an official signing ceremony held at Halia, Botanic Gardens earlier today.

Mr Alain Attia, Executive President, Elite Model Look International, said: "We are very happy to hold the Elite Model Look International Finals 2003 in Singapore. Singapore is a world-class city offering excellent facilities and services. We are confident that Elite Model Look International Finals 2003 will be a resounding success."

Mr Calvin Cheng, Head (Asia Pacific), Elite Model Management Group, said:  "Singapore is a key strategic location for Elite's expansion into Asia. With our regional office based in Singapore, we have successfully established Elite's  Asian network in Hanoi, Shanghai, Korea and India in just 3 years. Singapore is certainly our top choice destination for growing our presence in Asia."

The Elite Model Look International Finals 2003 is part of STB's seven month-long Singapore Roars tourism recovery campaign, which aims to generate tourism arrivals of 4 million by end 2003.

Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of STB said: "We are pleased and honoured that Elite Model Look International Finals 2003 has chosen Singapore as the destination for its annual world-renowned competition. The event will have an international broadcast distribution through key stations such as Fashion TV with a reach of over 300 million households. This international exposure will etch in the minds of consumers and visitors alike that Singapore is indeed a key events and lifestyle capital. We see this international event as a key strategic platform to promote Singapore. "

The Elite Model Look International Finals 2003 will see contestants from over 50 countries vying for the coveted title of Model Look of the Year. These finalists have been short listed through a rigorous selection process comprising regional and national competitions conducted by Elite's global network of 33 agencies. The majority of Elite Model Look searches are  conducted in conjunction with major magazines, radio and television partners, offering nationwide media exposure in each contesting country.

The top three finalists will win a two-year guaranteed modeling contract, totaling over US$325,000. The panel of judges will comprise fashion editors, designers, photographers, Elite agencies and supermodels. Previous judges include Patrick Demarchelier, John Galiano, Amber Valleta, Helmut Newton,  Stella McCartney, Jean Paul Gaultier and Quincy Jones.

This high-profile event will see Elite's worldwide representatives, international celebrities, contestants, supporters as well as international media congregating in Singapore.

During their one-week stay in Singapore, the contestants will be treated to Singapore's many unique attractions, vibrant nightlife and local delicacies with organizers, sponsors and the media. The exciting programme line-up promises to attract extensive worldwide attention for the event and Singapore.

Mr David Lim, Managing Director of MS Twilight Pte Ltd, "Elite Model Look International Finals 2003 is an achievement for Singapore's event management industry. We are very honoured to be given the opportunity to produce an international event of this calibre and scale. We trust this event will further  boost Singapore's profile and pave the way for more dynamic and exciting events to be staged here. We promise all delegates, participants, audiences and the media a WOW experience in Singapore that they will remember for a long time to come."