My Jamaican Woman, Purposefully Beautiful - MJW 2018 to pay homage to former pageant director Haughton-James
Published:Thursday | April 19, 2018 | 12:00 AMLatara Boodie/Gleaner Writer
On Wednesday, the Leeward Suite at the Knutsford Court Hotel saw the launch of one of Jamaica's most prestigious beauty pageants: Miss Jamaica World 2018. The MJW 2018 pageant will have a renewed focus - 'Beauty with a Purpose' - with the hope of attracting contestants who are contributing positively to their communities and the wider nation.
"Jamaica has a proud tradition at the Miss World pageant, and we are elated to take the baton from Mickey Haughton-James, who has done an amazing job with the Miss Jamaica World franchise," said co-franchise owner Weston Haughton.
This year's pageant seeks to pay homage to Haughton-James, who has produced a plethora of international beauty and fitness champions, including two Miss Worlds, which has established Jamaica as a powerhouse and leading nation in the beauty and fitness industry. The franchise holders of the MJW pageant have declared their utmost respect and gratitude to Haughton-James for his innovative, pioneering, and passionate work in building the beauty industry in Jamaica.
Co-franchise owner Aston Cooke incorporates Crown of Beauty Jamaica Limited, which was established in Kingston earlier this year. The organisation had applied to the Miss World Organisation for the licence to stage the MJW pageant as a precursor to the Miss World competition. Apart from the MJW pageant, Crown of Beauty Jamaica will participate in the talent development and representation, personal grooming, training consultancy, and fashion show production aspects of the competition throughout the year.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
This year, the MJW planning committee will be led by professionals who are experts within their respective fields, which range from TV production and marketing to event planning, pageantry, and stage production.
Franchise owners Cooke and Haughton are joined by Dahlia Harris, Joan McDonald, Richard Nevers, Roxene Nickle, Cecile Burrowes, and Maya Wilkinson. MJW Middlesex and MJW Cornwall will be promoted by Nickey Baxter and Junior Taylor.
MJW 2018 has started a new Spotted Card campaign to encourage the participation of the public in identifying the best candidates for the title.
"If you see anybody that you think has the potential to be the next Miss Jamaica World, give them the card and have them contact us," said theatre producer and morning television host Dahlia Harris.
The MJW 2018 schedule commences with elimination day on July 21, which will be followed by the presentation of finalists on July 28. A series of fast-tracked events will also be held. They include MJW Beauty with a Purpose, MJW Top Model, MJW World Beach Beauty, MJW World Talent, and MJW Sports Challenge. The coronation of MJW 2018 will be on September 1 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel under the theme 'My Jamaican Woman. Purposefully Beautiful'.
"Miss Jamaica World is different from other pageants because it stresses 'Beauty with a Purpose'. Physical looks fade after a while, but it is your purpose, who you are, what you stand for and what you believe in," said reigning Miss Jamaica World Queen Solange Sinclair.