The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sheikh Arif Bulbon

Md Irfan Arif and Sharlin Farzana won the 'Best Look' awards at the gala final of Pantene You Got The Look (YGTL), beauty contest, 2008 at the Winter Garden of Hotel Sheraton Thursday night.

A total of 23 contestants - 12 males and 11 females - took part in the gala final. Of them, 10 contestants were awarded in five categories - Best Look, Best Skin, Best Smile, Best Hair and Most Cool.

This was the seven-time arrangement of the beauty contest. Grey Advertising Bangladesh Ltd on behalf of Proctor and Gamble Bangladesh organised the prestigious beauty contest.

The eight other winners were - Md Jahedur Rahman (Olay Best Skin - Male), Tasin Khan Onni (Olay Best Skin- Female), Md Nur A Abedeen (Oral B Best Smile - Male), Airin Sultana (Oral B Best Smile - Female), Syed Raiset Siddique (Head and Shoulder Most Cool - Male), Masha Sarah Huq (Head and Shoulder Most Cool - Female), Ahmed Asif Ahsan Khan (Pantene Best Hair - Male) and Farhana Tanveer Faria (Pentene Best Hair -Female).

Renowned photographer Anwar Hossain, eminent model Bibi Russell, Director of Marketing of Grameenphone Rubaba Dowla Matin and former player of the national cricket team Athar Ali Khan were judges in the gala final. The programme was inaugurated with the theme song of Pantene YGTL performed by singer of Bangladesh Band Laura and her associates.

Laura and Omar moderated the whole show. Then promising magician Khalid Huda presented a magic show for the audience.

Contestants performed with different music with various wears performed in the show.

An instrumental presentation by guitarists Komol and Oni and drummer Tipu enchanted the audience.

Later artiste and music composer Ornob rendered some number of songs including 'Se je boshe achhe' with the present sensation and popular saxophonist Andrew Morris.

This year the contest was co-sponsored by Gallerie Apex and Herbal Solution Day Spa. Online partnership was provided by Bangladesh Info and Radio Foorti served as radio partner.

Beginning with a nationwide call for entries, the YGTL short-listed 120 young men and women for a face-to-face interview. Thereafter, 23 of the finest candidates were selected for a month long 'Boot camp,' where they're groomed in the art of presenting themselves.

All the efforts at the 'Boot Camp' - the grooming sessions, the grueling physical exercise, speech-coaching, the dance lessons, the endless practice-walking and ramp choreography - were eventually transformed the contestants into final round.

The participants were instructed on presentation skills to help them stand out a par with international standard contests. During the boot camp sessions, the participants performed various physical exercise tactics, dance routines and cat walking with exceptional confidence and grace.

In this year contest, 'Xiya and Brothers' was for Choreography, 'Denial,' represented by Ditan for styling, and dance expert Tanzim - to coach the finalists, to sanitise their talents and help them deliver their best presentation.