Adult, teen and children's category winners with judges, and mall management staff pose in the awards finale.
IT IS never too late nor too early to pursue your dreams, as the winners of the Vogue for Virtue 2024 Model Search Final in Penang would attest to.
Desmond Lim Choon Seong, 42, won the men’s top prize despite being the oldest finalist, while Nuralynn Mohd Shaari, 17, took the women’s crown ahead of more senior competitors.
Lim said he had ambitions of becoming a model during his high school days.
However, he found the public speaking and catwalk aspects intimidating.
He eventually became a graphic designer but his modelling dream never died.
So, when a friend told him about the annual contest organised by Queensbay Mall, Bayan Lepas, he seized the opportunity.
“Being the oldest, I didn’t fancy my chances of winning but I resolved to give it my best and see what happens.
“I was very nervous throughout and my legs were shaking from start to finish.
Overall winners Lim (second left) and Nuralynn (third right), posing with Best Male Runway award winner Jie Feng (left), Best Female Runway award winner Ariya (second right) and Budding Adult Model award winner Xiangai (right). With them is centre manager Lee (third from left) at Queensbay’s Vogue for Virtue 2024 Model Search Final. (Below) Crowds watching from all levels of the mall’s central atriumas the contestants strut their stuff on the catwalk.
“I cannot believe I actually won. More importantly, I hope I can be an inspiration to others.
“If you have a dream, never give up on it because one day, it may come true,” said Lim.
Nuralynn, a secondary school student, had similar ambitions from childhood and was unfazed by much more experienced competitors and the large crowd looking on.
“Everybody needs to start somewhere.
“I love dressing up and hope this can be a stepping stone towards greater things.
“I couldn’t have done this without the support of my family and coaches,” she said.
The model search began in May with several casting rounds that continued until June.
Ultimately, 60 finalists were selected, with 20 each in the adult, teen and children categories.
For the finals, adult competitors showed off athleisure wear while the youngsters showcased casual outfits.Besides the main titles, there were also subsidiary awards.
Of these, the Best Female Runway award went to Ariya Aik while Chin Jie Feng won the Best Male Runway title.
The Budding Adult Model award went to Khor Xiangai.
Awards for the Best Teen Male and Female models went to Ooi Tianjia and Cheyanne Stevenson respectively.
Jayden Tan Zhao Kai took the Budding Teen Model award while Chin Yu Jin bagged the Most Photogenic award.
The Best Boy and Best Girl Model awards went to Fang Kuan Feng and Hana Saw Zhi Xin.
Completing the accolades were the Most Photogenic Boy and Girl titles, which went to Ong Zun and Christina Lim Yu Xin respectively.
Queensbay Mall centre manager Lee Sue Ling said 505 participants signed up this year.
This was the largest number of participants ever since Vogue for Virtue started in 2009.
“Enquiries poured in long before registration opened.
“This is our signature event and one designed to make shoppers feel part of our family.
“As a community mall, we want to give everyday folk a platform to fulfil their ambitions,” she said, adding that the event also doubled as the mall’s corporate social responsibility initiative.
Over the years, all monies collected from the Model Search registration fees were channelled towards worthy causes, ranging from charity homes to NGOs and community groups.
“With the 2024 Olympics happening this year, we selected three sports-related organisations as beneficiaries.
“A total of RM27,000 was raised and split equally,” Lee said.
This year’s beneficiaries were the Persatuan Sukan dan Rekreasi Orang Kurang Upaya Negeri Pulau Pinang, Persatuan Sukan Orang Pekak Pulau Pinang and Persatuan Olimpiks Khas Pulau Pinang.
The funds were presented to representatives in a charity fashion show that saw local celebrities like Azrel Ismail, Alexis SueAnn, Mark O’dea and Sanjna Suri strut a gleaming white catwalk.
They paraded apparel and accessories from tenants such as Uniqlo, Adidas, Guess, Guess Kids, TRT, G2000, Puma, Sacoor Blue, Forever 21, Rookie, New Era and Anta, as scores of shoppers looked on from all four levels of the mall’s vast Central Atrium.
“Vogue for Virtue started with the objective of inspiring youth and helping the less fortunate.
“We’re pleased to see that this combination of fashion, fun and fundraising continues to make a difference to local communities,” added Lee.Also present at the charity fashion show were Penang youth, sports and health committee chairman Daniel Gooi and CapitaLand mall management general manager Peter Chan.
