Nashauna Drummond and Denise Walters, Staff Reporters

Left: Red, green and gold two-piece swimsuit by The Mushroom. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer Right: One-piece swimsuit with beaded bustline by The Mushroom. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

The coronation of Miss Jamaica World is one of the most highly anticipated events on the local fashion calendar. Some of the most beautiful women in Jamaica parade in swimsuits, gorgeous gowns and sparkle in exquisite gems.

Gowns

For 10 years, Mark McDermott and Karl Williams of Uzuri International have made these women look smashing in their gowns. Williams explained that fitting the girls for the competition is very different from fitting models for a fashion show.

"With models you can do daring and edgy. With beauty queens, you have to enhance, get the right fit and colour." The contestants are fitted based on personality and body type.

He notes that for some body types, they can take pieces from the floor and modify them. However, some have to be built from scratch.

Colours colours colours

Williams noted that this year the gowns will be more dramatic, fit for the Oscars. "Lots of detail, beading and there will be feathers on some of the pieces."

He noted that their gowns areusually over the top, heavily embellished in far out colours and this year will be no different. This year, they will be working with colours that they have never used before such as; melon, shrimp and avocado.

Miss Jamaica Model

Uzuri will also be providing the pieces for the first ever fashion segment from which a Miss Jamaica model will be selected. These pieces will be hip, funky couture.

Williams notes that this year's contestants were great to work with. "This is one of the strongest years. They have some great bodies and they are really tall, so that's good."

SWIMSUIT BY MUSHROOM

The swimsuit parade is one of the most anticipated segments of the competition. Beautiful young women wear swimsuits that show off their well-toned bodies. The trendy and eye-catching pieces this year will be provided by The Mushroom.

CEO of The Mushroom, Jason Lawson, notes that his company began working with the competition last year. He explained that the contestants select their swimwear for the first set of appearances. However, for coronation night, the suits are custom-made based on a theme.

XTRAS

Miss Jamaica World 2006, Sara Lawrence, sparkled all the way to Poland with accessories from Xtras. With a clothing and accessory store, they also provided her with casual and semi-formal pieces.

This year, they have furnished the contestants in some of the trendiest pieces as they made their various appearances.

General manager of Xtras, Sandra Supersad, said accessorising the girls is very easy if you know what your doing. All she needs to know is the colour of their outfit and a few minor details such as neckline and she can accurately accessorise the outfit; if it needs a necklace or just earrings and bangles. Their pieces are also interchangeable.

The coronation of Miss Jamaica 2007 will be on August 18 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

Left: Miss Jamaica 2006 Sara Lawrence, in one of the pieces from her Miss World wardrobe provided by Xtras Clothing. - Winston Sill/Freelance PhotographerRight: Miss Jamaica World 2005 Terri-Karelle Griffith.

Left: Uzuri International began providing gowns for Miss Jamaica World in 1997. Here Miss Jamaica World 1997 Michelle Moodie wears a Uzuri gown. Right: Miss Jamaica World 2006, Sara Lawrence, shows off her legs with this lovely gold and cream Uzuri gown. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer