Pageant may be revived
A past Miss Hutt Valley winner believes that beauty pageants are still relevant and are becoming more acceptable.
Mary Cooper was crowned Miss Hutt Valley in 2009 and went on to win Miss Personality at Miss Universe New Zealand.
The 31-year-old now teaches hospitality in Wellington and recently became a mother.
The pageant was organised by Hope Phillips, who is trying to reestablish the event, which was last held in 2012.
Now known as Mary Hiddleston, she said world-wide pageants were becoming more sophisticated, as judging contestants in bikinis fell out of favour.
‘‘I have never been in favour of wearing swimsuits. It made me feel very uncomfortable. I don’t think judging your body should be part of it.’’
She had nothing but positive memories of her involvement in 2009 and helped organise it the following year.
To her pageants were about contestants gaining confidence, meeting other young women, and gaining skills and a profile that would help them in their future life.
Phillips’ interest in Miss Hutt Valley began when she was work- ing in a Petone bar that ran a Miss Hutt Valley bikini contest.
She thought young women deserved a better competition and the chance to represent New Zealand in Miss Universe.
Although she accepted that some people believed beauty pageants had had their day, Phillips disagreed.
‘‘The girls who entered the competition don’t look back at it like that (negatively). They look back at it as something they are proud of.’’
Phillips kept in contact with the 2009 contestants and said that for many, it was a turning point in their life.
Contestants received a lot of support and training, and she said the change in them over a short time, was obvious. Her intention was to have a swimwear section but it would be up to the contestants to decide what they were ‘‘comfortable’’ wearing. ‘‘The girls can decide what is appropriate.’’
One person who definitely enjoyed competing was Kirsty Crane, who entered in 2009. ‘‘It was a great experience that boosted my confidence.’’
Looking back, she was ‘‘proud’’ of what she achieved and would recommend it to other young women.
Today she has a family of four, which includes twin boys but she is keen to support Phillips and has offered to be the contestant manager.
Gemma van Barle, looks back at her involvement in the 2012 competition with pride.
She saw it as an opportunity to get the experience and profile she needed for a career in the media. Although she came third, a media career did not eventuate and today she works in HR.
Phillips is contacting sponsors and gauging if there is enough interest from potential contestants. Ideally, she needs 12 young women and she hopes to hold a pageant this year, with the aim of making it an annual event.