Singapore Stages World's Largest International Modeling Event for the Year

Singapore will stage the grand finale for the Elite Model Look 2003 International Finals tomorrow evening at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. 

Organised by MS Twilight, Singapore Tourism Board and Elite Model Management, the EML 2003 International Finals will be the largest modeling event of the year with 65 contestants from 53 countries and an audience attendance of 6,000 people. 

"STB is delighted to play an instrumental role in inviting the world's largest model search - the Elite Model look International Contest - to be held in Singapore. Leveraging on the international renowned branding of Elite, this event is testimony to Singapore's strength as a regional fashion and events hub.

During the contestants' stay in Singapore, they have visited numerous attractions here. The models' presence will certainly add mileage to the local and international publicity efforts to promote Singapore globally as a top-of-mind destination. This prestigious contest sets the standard for us to work with dynamic event organizers worldwide to bring in more of such high profile events in the future," said Mr Gerald Lee, Chief, Business Operations, Singapore Tourism Board.

The EML 2003 International finale show promises to be an unforgettable evening of glitterati and glamour. Gracing the occasion will be Guest of Honour Mrs Goh Chok Tong, wife of Singapore's Prime Minister, together with ambassadors from 28 countries. Other notable VIPs include Dr Lee Seng Gee and Mrs Della Lee from the Lee Foundation.

The evening's programme will feature a stellar cast of Asian and Western celebrities from the entertainment and fashion circle. Hollywood star Ashley Scott, of Warner Bros hit series "Birds of Prey" and movie blockbuster "AI: Artificial Intelligence" fame, will be the female host for the evening. Award-winning Asian actor, singer and writer David Wu, who has 40 feature films, numerous TV and radio shows under his belt, will be the male co-host for the show.

Elite's top international models and past EML winners, Yfke Sturm, Linda Vojtoya and Ana Mihalovic, will also be participating in the event as jury members. Discovered through EML, these three international modeling stars have become runway favourites of the world's top designers and faces of fashion and beauty advertising campaigns for DKNY, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace, Escada, Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Calvin Klein, John Galliano and Victoria Secrets.

Joining them on the jury panel will be Asia's very own supermodel Qiqi. A sensation with Asia's top photographers and magazines, Qiqi has appeared in prominent beauty campaigns like Max factor Asia and modeled in the international runways of top fashion houses such as Gucci, Jil Sandler, Thierry Mugler, Prada and Yohji Yamamoto. She was officially appointed as the Omega ambassador for Hong Kong and China in 1998 and was involved in the Constellation Jewellery collection launch in eight major cities in China.

Taiwan's latest pop idol Van Fan Yi Chen and Singapore's award-winning regional artiste Tanya Chua will be entertaining the audience with their latest hits. Elite models and popular Channel [V] VJs Amanda Griffin from the Philippines and Sarah Tan from Singapore will also appear on the show together with local entertainment personality David Yee.

The highlight of the evening will be the launch of Elite's new generation of catwalk stars.

A jury panel headed by Elite's President Mr Gerald Marie, with members such as renowned art director Mr Michel Mallard, Mr Christophe Caillaud, Group Chief Executive Officer of Jean Paul Gaultier SA and Ms Jennie Chua, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Raffles International Ltd, will select 15 finalists out of the 65 contestants. These 15 finalists will be offered two-year modeling contracts under Elite Model Management. From the 15 finalists, the jury will pick the top three winners who will win two-year contracts with a guaranteed remuneration of US$325,000 in total from Elite - US$150,000 for the overall winner, US$100,000 for the first runner up and US$75,000 for the second runner-up.

"We are very excited to hold the Elite Model Look 2003 International Finals in Singapore. Singapore is an excellent choice as it is a window to Asia and a melting pot of cultures. We are sure that the Elite Model Look 2003 will be a magnificent event," said Mr Gerald Marie, President of Elite Model Management.

The EML 2003 International Finals in Singapore is a showcase of Asia's most creative talents. Local designers like bods.bodynits, iS, m)phosis, Charles & Keith and Fredrick Lee Couture will dress the models along side international labels such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Kenzo and Givenchy. The stage production, music arrangement and dance choreography are all designed by Singapore and Hong Kong specialists in consultation with Elite. The show is put together by local event management company MS Twilight and involves a team of 80 people working on the project.

David Lim, Managing Director of MS Twilight, said, "EML2003 International Finals is a major milestone achievement for Singapore's event industry. It is a challenging feat to put together an event of such a scale within a short turnaround time of only three months. This prestigious modeling event will certainly boost our standing as an eventful city and hopefully pave the way for more international events to be brought to Singapore."

This prestigious event is expected to generate international exposure for Singapore as a fashion capital, eventful city and leisure destination. More than 40 overseas media agencies from all over the world have flown into Singapore to cover this premier fashion event. This includes top-notch media such as Elle, Marie Claire, Vanity Fair, Top Entertainment, Euro Press, De Telegraaf and many more.

Viewers from across the world may also be able to tune into a 1-hour special programme on EML 2003 International Finals in Singapore, produced by MS Twilight for distribution to TV networks worldwide.

Residents and visitors in Singapore will get the opportunity to catch the 15 finalists of the EML 2003 International Finals "LIVE" as they make their first public appearance at The Atrium, Level 1, Wisma Atria on 9 November at 3pm. Members of the public will be able to meet the 15 finalists and get their autographs at the event.