Gabriella's Farewell
Hello lovely Miss Fashion vs Beauty readers!
I can't quite believe how fast this year has gone and that Im sat here writing my farewell blog, not knowing how to put it into words without boring you all to death! I want to start by saying how much I love the Miss Fashion Vs Beauty family and its audience, and thank you to everyone that supports it on behalf of Bobath Wales, a charity now very close to my heart.
So..this time last year after some super fun fundraising (for me this involved getting into character as Minnie Mouse!!), interviews, rehearsals and the show itself I was crowned the winner. Winning this title at age 18 really changed my outlook on life, and taught me alot about myself as a person.
The night before I competed in Miss FVB I posted 'Never give up, there is no such thing as an ending, just a new beginning.' - and this was a perfect new beginning. I had just left sixth form after years of not fitting in, growing up with zero self belief or confidence, and this experience taught me that I can am capable of alot more than I thought I would ever be, and made me feel like I had finally been accepted for just being myself.
I loved representing the pageant on behalf of Bobath Wales, seeing the amazing work they do inspires me to work to be the best person I can be and continue to help make a difference throughout my life. I felt so honoured to switch on my home town's Christmas lights on behalf of the pageant and for my fundraising efforts.
What I have loved most about being a part of Miss FVB is that it is 100% all about 'beauty with a purpose'. Every contestant is unique and I believe that the 'no body shame' image is so important for us as women. I could not be prouder to be part of this campaign.
Since winning the title I have moved from my home county of Norfolk to the big city of London, I'm modelling and performing full time, and have made a super fun and eventful TV debut on ITV's reality show 'Take Me Out'. In terms of the future I am now setting up a girl band and will also compete for the title of Miss United Kingdom next year which I cannot wait to get stuck into, everything I've learnt from my Miss FVB experience will stay with me and help to guide me through this journey.
The best advice I can give to Miss FVB contestants is to believe in yourself, because that really is half the battle. Both the audience and judges are on your side and want you to do well. If something does go wrong (my sash got caught up and fell off during the show last year!!) just carry on like nothing has happened. Finally for my fellow pageant girlies (beauty section) dont forget to smile!!
I would say that whether you win a title or not this year...just remember to enjoy the experience and to take something positive about yourself from it, which you can use to better yourself for whatever is next to come.
I want to say a huge good luck to everyone involved, thank you to last year's judges for believing in me and a big shout out to Miss Fashion 2014, my sister queen Kelsie & my Welsh sissy for life!!
I want to say a huge good luck to everyone involved, thank you to last year's judges for believing in me and a big shout out to Miss Fashion 2014, my sister queen Kelsie & my Welsh sissy for life!!
Finally I want to thank our incredible director Nyomi for this opportunity and the amazing advice she gives me. I look up to Nyomi alot and the way she has put all this together for charity is so inspirational. She has looked after me so well and I've loved every minute getting to hang out with her.
Thank you for the most incredible memories that I'll never forget, I can't wait to be a part of this year's show day and hope the new queens have a year as fun as I have!
Lots of love, Gabriella
Miss Fashion vs Beauty 2014 xxx
Kelsie's Farewell
Hello!To begin my post I would like to thank the director of Miss Fashion Vs Beauty, Nyomi Lenny. I had never previously entered any sort of beauty or fashion competition and after a mutual friend asked me to go to the model casting to enter the fashion side of Miss FVB, I was fairly nervous due to not knowing what the event needed me to do and if I was even suitable!
After a warm greeting from Nyomi, she explained the event consisted of a beauty pageant side and a fashion modelling side. This meant that there would be one winner from the fashion side, and one from the beauty side and then each winner from the two categories would have a final walk off to provide an overall winner. I loved the whole idea of a unique competition like this, where anyone is welcome to enter and of course it's a fantastic way to raise money for Bobath Children's Therapy Centre Wales.
I felt very welcomed to Miss FVB, I have met lovely people and it was so nice to see everyone mixing and helping each other out backstage. Winning the title of Miss Fashion 2014 was such an honour, having my proud parents in the audience to see me receive my crown was something that makes me smile thinking of that moment. The year has been full of opportunities, from event appearances to modelling jobs all thanks to the confidence I gained from becoming Miss Fashion and I am very grateful to know someone as lovely as Nyomi who is by my side guiding me. I am now signed to multiple agencies in the UK which means I spend a lot of time going back and forth to London for big jobs but I love travelling. Acting is something I've also recently got in to and I have some exciting things coming up!
Also watching the success of my sister queen Gabriella (Miss FVB) has been brilliant, it really shows the opportunities that has come from entering. My tip is to walk fierce, look confident and have fun with it. I look forward to seeing the next two queens complete great things. I'm really going to miss having an excuse to wear a sparkly crown!
Kelsie Reardon x
Miss Fashion 2014
