(From left to right) Miss Martinique Aurélie Joachim, Miss Namibia Selma Kamanya, Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt and Miss India Nandini Gupta.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Miss India Nandini Gupta emerged as one of the four continental winners in the Top Model Challenge of Miss World 2025, held at Trident Hotel in Hyderabad on Saturday evening.
The glamorous fashion event featured 108 contestants from across the globe, each representing their country and continent with style and grace. Each continent winner was announced based on their poise, confidence, and runway presence.
In the grand showcase, Ms. Gupta represented the Asia and Oceania region. Joining her in the winners’ circle were Miss Namibia Selma Kamanya (Africa), Miss Martinique Aurélie Joachim (Americas and Caribbean) and Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt (Europe).
The evening was not just a beauty pageant but a celebration of culture, fashion, and Telangana’s rich textile heritage. Contestants dazzled the runway in ensembles designed with a focus on local craftsmanship featuring intricate Pochampally, Gadwal, and Gollabhama handloom weaves and pearl-inspired creations, a tribute to Hyderabad’s legacy as the City of Pearls. These outfits were curated by Indian designer Archana Kochhar, known for blending contemporary flair with traditional artistry.
The cultural showcase was followed by a modern fashion segment, where contestants returned to the runway in contemporary ensembles created by internationally acclaimed designers, completing an evening that beautifully blended tradition with modernity.
The event unfolded in multiple stages. Initially, two finalists were shortlisted from each continent. From Africa, Miss Côte d’Ivoire Fatoumata Coulibaly and Miss Namibia Selma Kamanya were selected. Representing the Americas and Caribbean were Miss Martinique Aurélie Joachim and Miss Venezuela Valeria Cannavò. Asia and Oceania finalists included Miss India Nandini Gupta and Miss New Zealand Samantha Poole, while Miss Belgium Karen Jansen and Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt made it to the top from Europe.
The final eight then returned to the stage, where one winner from each continent was announced based on their poise, confidence, and runway presence.
In addition to the top model honours, special awards for best designer dress were also presented. Winners included Miss South Africa Zoalise Jansen van Rensburg, Miss Puerto Rico Valeria Pérez, Miss New Zealand Samantha Poole, and Miss Ukraine Maria Melnychenko, each recognised for their elegance and ability to carry unique designer creations.
Published – May 24, 2025 11:03 pm IST