Natalee captures the ‘spirit of elegance’
Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Intercontinental 2016, Tracy De Silva crowns Natalee. Pix by Indika Handuwala
Another night of beauty pageant excitement unfolded on September 24 at the Hilton Grand Ballroom as Natalee Fernando was chosen Crown Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka- 2017. Stephanie Kinson was the 1st runner-up and Maria Al- Kasas emerged the 2nd runner-up, sharing the glory of the night.
The pageant was not only about crowning the most beautiful contestant but also giving promising designers a chance to display their creativity. Thus, the ceremony began with a collection of national costumes, purportedly inspired by traditional Sri Lankan arts and crafts designed by local designers; some creations stretching the imagination.
Judges of the national costume competition were award winning fashion designer, Yasisurie Kiribandara, designer Charini Suriyage, owner of Charini Studio Store and a participant in London Fashion Week and other international fashion shows and Indeevari Yapa Abeywardena, owner of iBRIDE by INDI – designer wear and bridal house.
From Left to r: 1st Runner- up Stephanie Kinson, Winner - Natalee Fernando, and 2nd Runner- up -Maria Al-Kasas.
Hiran Wijesekara’s costume, inspired by traditional Sri Lankan arts and crafts with features such as the Sigiriya frescoes and the Makara thorana (the dragons arch- a form of architectural canopy seen in Buddhist shrines) was selected as the best national costume. As the winning designer he will be creating the national costume for Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka at the finals of the Miss Intercontintal pageant to be held in India, in December.
The judges for the evening were co-founder of the Triad Group, Derana and Citrus Leisure, Varuni Amunugama Fernando, actor, comedian and digital marketing specialist, Gehan Blok, former beauty queen and model trainer Geraldine Bandaranaike, Managing Director of JAT Holdings Aelian Gunawardene and hair and beauty stylist Cheryl Gooneratne.
The second segment of the pageant brought the 16 contestants to the limelight: Laura Wanigasinghe, Shialin Samuel, Nishali Tennakoon, Bhashini Vidanagamage, Nawodya Undugoda, Kaniki Ruwanpura, Onali Induruwage, Sajni De Silva, Sara Simon, Hiruni Weerakkody, Chathri Premathilake, Stephanie Kinson, Chalani Rathnayake, Fiona Fernando, Natalee Fernando, and Maria Al-Kasas took the ramp in swimwear designed by Aqua Island, the official swimwear partner of the pageant.
Natalee Fernando, Crown Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka 2017 wearing her glittering crown, the ‘Spirit of Elegance’
The night was hosted by Chase Dee and singer and stage actress from the Philippines Jasmine Fitzgerald who also entertained the audience with Marcelia Lesar, from Indonesia adding some jazz rhythms.
The final segment featured evening wear, the contestants emerging in black velvet fishtail dresses decorated with lace floral designs and shining gold, copper, silver and black sequins designed by Michael Wijesuriya.
After an entertainment break the excitement mounted as the top eight were announced: Maria Al-Kasas, Natalee Fernando, Sara Simon, Chalani Rathnayake, Hiruni Weerakkody, Shialin Samuel, Stephanie Kinson, and Laura
Wanigasinghe.
Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Intercontinental 2016, Tracy De Silva crowned Natalee along with the Chef Guest Netherlands ambassador to Sri Lanka, Joanne Doornewaard and the National Director and Global Franchise Holder of Miss Intercontinental Joyce James Gunawardene. Natalee took her maiden walk as the new Crown Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka 2017 to applause from the audience, wearing her glittering crown, the ‘Spirit of Elegance’ forged in rose gold embedded with Sri Lankan white sapphires and blue topaz -designed to represent the blend of beauty and power of a woman.
A past student of Bishop’s College, Colombo,Natalee who is currently pursuing an LLB at the University of London hopes to champion the cause of gender equality and support those who have undergone trauma.
| Mini pageant winners | |
| Natalee Fernando- “Miss Body Beautiful” and “Miss Fitness”Laura Wanigasinghe – “Miss Photogenic”Chalani Rathnayake – “Miss Talent”, “Miss Elegant” and “Miss Personality”Shialin Samuel – “Miss Congeniality” Hiruni Weerakkody –“Miss Empathy” |
National Director of Crown Miss Intercontinental Sri Lanka Joyce James Gunawardene
Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Intercontinental 2016 Tracy De Silva
Guests at the event
The winning national costume designed by Hiran Wijesekara
A contestant in swim wear
Couple of the contestants in evening wear