On her way to Miss Venus 2014
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “IT took a lot of hard work, exercise, diets and dedication to be here tonight, but I am shocked…I did not see this coming.”
Those were the words of Desiree Herbert, who served her competitors a lethal cocktail of physique to win the 2014 LIME Miss Black San Swimsuit Pageant.
The scene at the Sandy Point Hard Court could only be described as one similar to the ever-popular Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, as the six astonishing beauties went head to head in five swimsuit segments of the pageant.
Dressed in their black full-body swimwear with shimmering designs, the ladies one by one took the runway for an opening number modelling to a medley of American pop music along with the crowd of hundreds cheering on their favourites.
The beauties, Unoma Allen, Nakilah Watson, Cherrissa Maynard, Desiree Herbert, Royisha Demming and Nicola Clarke, were accompanied by the outgoing LIME Miss Black San Swimsuit winner, Patricia Clarke.
In the Vintage Swimwear segment, the beauties were tasked to don swimsuits mainly worn by women in the 70s, 80s and the 90s. Knitted wool, polka dots and two pieces were just many of the designs on display.
In the second round of competition, the ladies were again tasked with modelling swimsuits with Carib’s label. The swimsuits in different designs were to be the brand’s colour (blue and gold) and carry the Carib logo.
In the Creative Wear segment, the women were then tasked to display and model swimsuits that were made of the main elements of the sea - fish net, sea shells and pearls. Vampire of the sea, treasures of the deep and ocean medley were some of the themes used by the contestants.
The Identical Wear segment saw the ladies modelling one standard style of swimsuit designed by a local designer. They were judged on physique and modelling techniques.
A Church, Lion Fish, Flower Garden, Chambalay, Ragged Clothes, and the Deep Blue Sea were the themes depicted by the six women who charged the runway as canvases for the remarkable art.
It all came down to the final question when Herbert was asked who the most influential person in her life was. To which she answered: “I would say my mother, because she thought me a lot about being a woman and what it truly means to be the successful person I am today.”
In her final walk as LIME Miss Black San’, Clarke said that she is forever grateful to the Sandy Point SPIRIT Committee for giving her the opportunity of travelling, competiting in a regional pageant and making her the outstanding individual she is.
Hometown beauty Royisha Demming placed First Runner-up, while Nicola Clarke was adjudged Second Runner-up.
The Amity Award, Chairman’s Award and Best Interview were won by Unoma Allen, Popular Award by Nakilah Watson, Best Body Paint and Best Vintage Swimsuit by Desiree Herbert, and Best Carib Beer Swimsuit and Best Creative Swimsuit were won by Royisha Demming.
Desiree Herbert will later this year represent the Federation at the Miss Venus 2014 Pageant.
