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| Winners of the preliminaries for the Asia New Star Model Contest in Thailand. [SUWON CITY GOVERNMENT] |
The festival consists of three main events: the “Asia New Star Model Contest,” “Asia Mi Festival” and the “Asia Model Awards,” with nine smaller events in between.
On May 19, models from 25 Asian countries who made it through the preliminaries will compete in a final contest to determine who will be crowned the rising star.
The winner will be given modeling opportunities in Asia and beyond. The 2016 Asia New Star Model Contest is expected to provide exposure to up-and-coming models and foster cultural exchange between the participating countries
The Asia Mi Festival is scheduled for the following day. The event will consist of various large-scale fashion shows and performances showcasing work by artists and designers throughout Asia. Dazzling ensembles of traditional clothes, hairstyles, makeup and jewelry will come together in this celebration of Asian culture.
Later that day, there will be an award ceremony at the Ramada Plaza Suwon, crowning artists and brands that have made the most impact on the Asian beauty industry in the past year.
The third major event is the Asia Model Awards. Held on May 21, it will feature fashion shows from well-known brands, galas and K-pop performances starring Asia’s top entertainers and beauty experts. The event will also host fashion shows by 25 Asian countries, each adding a modern twist to their traditional dress.
The “Traditional Clothes Fashion Show,” on the other hand, will exclusively display traditional attire from each of the 25 countries on a special stage built at the Hwaseong Haenggung Palace. At this show, the models will not only show off their clothing but also give performances representing their native culture.
Additional programs include “Walking Day,” a day when professional models will walk along Suwon’s tourist attractions, inviting visitors to join in. The outdoor event will delight visitors hoping to witness the graceful walk of runway models firsthand. It will take place on May 15, passing through scenic places such as the Hwaseong Fortress, Gwanggyo Lake Park and Bangwhasuryujeong, a picturesque pavilion surrounded by willow trees and flowers.
Last but not least, the “Makeup Festival Awards” will be held on May 22, following the end of the Asia Model Festival. The contest will connect 700 artists from all over Asia specializing in body painting, stage makeup, special effects and skin art. After a series of makeup shows, there will be an award ceremony for each category.
“Today, models play a leading role in Asia’s cultural exports,” says Yang Eui-sig, chairman of the Korea Model Association. “By promoting models as cultural assets, we hope that the Asia Model Festival will act as a platform for closer cooperation between the fashion industries of Asia and the world.”
For more information, visit en.amfa.or.kr.
BY PARK HYE-MI [park.hyemi@joongang.co.kr