Guyanese beauty wins Miss Caribbean title

Guyanese beauty wins Miss Caribbean title
Photo courtesy of Miss World Guyana

Congratulations are in order for Rafieya Husain, Miss World Guyana who qualified in the final 10 at the Miss World 2014 pageant at the Aloft London Excel on Dec. 14, and earned the title of Miss Caribbean for being the only national from the region to place in the top 10.

Wearing a stunning red gown designed from skin-tone illusion fabric, the beauty brought joy and excitement to Guyanese who were glued to their television sets as cable channel E!-entertainment broadcast the pageant live last Sunday from 10:00 a.m. New York time.

Husain, who also qualified as one of the top five contestants in the Beauty With A Purpose segment — the most important aspect of the pageant — spoke passionately at several forums, about her platform, Domestic Violence, which she said she experienced first hand.

And for the first time in the history of the pageant, all five contestants in this category were declared winners because of their impactful presentations in this particular segment.

In a video clip posted on the Facebook just after the pageant, the 22-year-old student stated, “I want to thank you all for your love and support. I am still in shock that I actually made it to the top 10.”

She added, “It has been a whirldwind experience of mixed emotions, of happiness and sadness. I am proud to say that I represented Guyana and you beautiful people of Guyana. I would not have been here without your support.”

Husain then congratulated Miss South Africa, Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss, and said that the winner had the power in her hands and she knows that she would do well in her reign.

The reigning Miss World Caribbean Rafieya Husain, who was chaperoned by franchise holder, Natash Blu Martindale, competed in the Dances of World and Beach Fashion segments, wearing costumes created by Guyanese-born, international fashion designer Roger Gary.

She also showcased clothing designed by world-renown and Guyanese-born designer, Michelle Cole.

In a statement, Gary congratulated the winner, and noted that success does not come easily and without hard work, before thanking the new Miss World Guyana team for their outstanding work.