(From top) Models walk the ramp at the show.

It was a beauty contest with a difference, the organisers claimed. When the curtains went up on “Mystique-2006” at the District Library auditorium in the city last weekend ? it truly lived up to the claim. Mystique was also a model hunt, where a large number of participants walked the ramp ? cheered on by a packed audience.

The brain behind the show was Prashant Boruah of Pro’ Guild Assam Educational Institute. The newly-opened institute offers a whole range of courses including, Fashion Designing, Interior Designing, Mass Communication and Journalism. “The very idea behind organising the contest is to give aspiring models a chance to showcase their talent. The fashion industry is growing by leaps and bounds in the city and models are in great demand. Since the show was attended by the who’s who of the fashion industry, many contestants got noticed and are likely to get new assignments,” said Boruah.

“After seeing the huge response the show has received in its very first edition, we have decided to make it an annual event,” said Boruah.

Altogether 17 men and 11 women vied for the titles.

The contestants faced tricky questions in the last round of the show but not before they walked down the ramp in traditional, fusion and western wear.

The show was choreographed by Mamoni Mazumdar, a leading designer of the region.

But the day truly belonged to the winners.

It was Sony Kalita who basked in the glory of the winner’s tiara and the Mega Model title. Anurag Sharma was declared the winner of the Manhunt contest.

In the mega-model category, the first runner-up title went to Esther Diamond while Rezma Ali was declared the second runner-up. The title of Best-Dressed Female Model went to Bijumoni Boro and Rezma Ali, who also bagged the Miss Photogenic title.

Md Asfaqur Rahman Khan and Bhaskar Saikia were declared the first and second runners-up in the Manhunt category. But it was Rajesh Bujor Boruah who walked away with the popular Best Dressed Male Model title.

“It’s a proud moment for me to win the contest. I am planning to continue my tryst with modelling and have dreams to make it big in national scenario,” said Sony after the contest.

Echoing her, Anurag said, “The feeling of victory is obviously great. The initiative on the part of the organiser is definitely welcome as aspiring models are given a big platform to showcase their talent.”