–as Guyana’s first ever ‘Miss Model of the World’ contestant

FOR the first time in history, Guyana will be sending a representative to the Miss Model of the World contest, which will be hosting its 29th edition in Shenzhen, China on November 25.
And the lucky lady, who hails from the ‘Cinderella County’, is none other than Ms Jasoda Ramlagan.
Just about two weeks ago, the 21-year-old got her confirmation letter from the Miss Model of the World Organisation, giving her the nod to be Guyana’s representative at the contest.
Though she was skeptical when she was first approached to represent Guyana, the five-foot-eleven beauty was just head over heels when she found out she had been confirmed as a contestant.

“I couldn’t believe it! I was shocked!” Jasoda said.
“I can’t believe I’m going to China! I am so excited about this trip! I’m going to make the most of it, and do what I can to represent Guyana.”
Though not that well known, the Miss Model of the World is a decades old, international modeling contest, originating in 1988 in Turkey with approximately 40 countries participating.

Over the years, the numbers have increased, with 70 contestants taking part last year when the event was won by Finland’s Anna Merimaa. In 2004, the title was won by Trinidad’s Aqiyla Gomez.
Though the competition will be somewhat like a pageant, with conventional segments such as the evening gown, swimsuit and Q&A, it’s still very much different as it focuses largely on the girls and their modelling skills, with catwalk and photoshoot capabilities playing a part.

The top five finishers in the contest will be awarded modelling contracts, and promoted to work all across Europe.
To even be considered as a contestant, hopefuls must meet rigid height and age requirements.
Surprisingly, Jasoda has not really had that much runway experience in Guyana, with last year’s Guyana Fashion Week being the first time she really modelled before a large crowd, outside of another small stint back in 2014, when she did a small-time show for former Miss Universe Guyana, Niketa Barker.

She’s been mostly involved as a photoshoot model, doing a lot of work with local designer, Quinton Pearson.
Nonetheless, Jasoda has attracted the interests of several modelling agencies, and was approached by both of Guyana’s top modelling agencies, Traits Model Management, and Image Model Management, among others, to join their team.
However, living in Essequibo, she finds it difficult and has always declined. Most recently, she was in Traits Model Management’s “Strut II: Live the Runway” fashion show last Wednesday night.

Renowned pageant trainer, Derek Moore, is coordinating the Guyana end of things for the local franchise holder, UK-based Guyanese, Ken Chung.

Moore shared with The Buzz that it was not easy finding a young lady to attend for Guyana.
Prior to Ramlagan, two other young ladies whose names were previously submitted were already rejected by the Miss Model of the World Organisation, and Derek realised he really needed to find a young lady who could fit the part.
“It wasn’t that easy; we had to send a few delegates’ ‘info’ to the Miss Model of the World and they selected her,” he said, adding:

“Because they are paying the hotel and air fare, you have to pass the requirements. If when your delegate reaches China and she doesn’t measure up, they will send her back.
“I had up a post on Facebook looking for a young lady to be part of this competition. And after I submitted the two young ladies, and they were rejected, I approached Jasoda and had her come in to see me. I’m so happy that they accepted her.”
And now Moore is busy training Ramlagan, as he prepares her for the road ahead.