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Mr and Miss Icon India is a national level pageant for both men and women. This event helps aspirants showcase not only their beauty, but also the talent and confidence from every corner of the country under one roof. It is also a pageant for a cause, Swachh Bharath and Child and Women’s Safety. Rio International Fashion week is an International Beauty Pageant headed by Rio Production, a renowned modeling and film institute. The mission of the organisation is to help modelling aspirants bring out their best. The winners will not only get an opportunity to enter the international pageant but will also have the chance of becoming the brand ambassador for international brands and get a chance to be featured in an international calendar shoot, that will be in collaboration with Miss Orient foundation worldwide, Africa. The grand finale of Mr & Miss Icon India will be held on March 1, 7 pm onwards at Marriott Hotel, Whitefield, Bangalore. Ranjani, Co-Director Mr & Miss Icon India, National Director of Little Icon India, will be part of the Grand Jury. Anukreethy Vas, an actor & model who won the title of Miss India World 2018 & Miss India Miss Fashion Icon 2018, will be present at the event. Ashik Gowda, a social worker, will be the Guest of Honour at the pageant. Srinidhi V, second runner up Mr. Best Icon India South 2017 also 5 times international Taekwondo championships gold medal winner will be one of the guests at the show. Santhosh Naik, will be the official MC for the show and dance & choreography partners are Sunny Singh and Gaurav Singh from BOLLY BALOO.
TheStyle.World, the official media partner of the national pageant, Mr and Miss Icon India spoke to M. Shankar, CEO and Founder of Rio Production and Rio International Fashion Week, International Director and this is what he shares.
How are you gearing yourself up for the show ahead?
We are excited to find out who will be the new fresh face will be at this international model hunt, where participants are coming from different parts of country.
Please tell us more about Rio International Fashion Week.
Rio International Fashion Week brings together fresh faces from different parts of the country to compete for the coveted crown. Rio Production appoints a Zonal Head and National Head. Each zonal head director takes care of the auditions and grooming of the contestants and organising the show. The models selected for the finale participate in the National finale of Mr and Miss Icon India.
On what basis are the participants judged?
The title itself says it. The winner should be the icon for the people, someone with a strong personality who inspires and influences the future generations.
Will the preliminary activities carry some marks in final scores of the contestants?
Yes, preliminary rounds like one-on-one interviews carry a lot of importance in cracking the first round for the participants to reach the finale.
How many countries are going to be part of the Rio International Fashion Week?
As of now 18 to 25 countries have confirmed the participation and many more will soon be on board.
When is the grand finale of Rio International Fashion Week?
June 2020.
Will the pageant be conducted on the home turf, India or overseas?
This being the first edition we want to do it in India, but there are lots of proposals and invitations from overseas sponsors, so the 2021 edition will be held overseas.
Who will be on the jury panel of this beauty pageant?
Judges from different fields would grace the pageant. There will be many beauty queens and women of substance on board who will also be a part of the grooming sessions to help the contestants during the entire course of the pageant.
Rio international Fashion week is one of the rarest pageants which gives a great platform to both the genders. Tell us more.
Yes, it is one big platform for all talented people, without any bias or division of gender. It is a unisex pageant and that makes it unique.
What message would you like to give to the pageant enthusiasts?
Believe in yourself. Grab the opportunities where you can prove yourself.