Photo gallery updated at bottom of article

So this the last report of the Djerba trip for Miss and Mister Luxembourg as the trip drew to a close on Saturday with the return to Luxembourg.

My previous report left off with the preparations for a fashion show that took place last Thursday with outfits from a local Tunisian designer.

The build-up to the event proved enduring for the finalists and for several of them this was not only their first appearance on a catwalk, but also their first appearance in public.  It is to be noted for several finalists, the Miss/Mister competition is actually their first venture into the realm of the beauty or fashion world.

So there I sat at the end of the catwalk having got to know the finalists well over the week through their training, events and trips, with camera in hand, nervously waiting for my the guys and girls to start the show.  The large catwalk was constructed in the immense hotel lobby and every seat was filled by over 500 spectators including Heads of the Tunisian Tourist Board, RUI Hotels and state representatives from The Island of Djerba, not a bad line-up for a first appearance!  The clothes shown were those of a local Tunisian designer, but the whole impressive event planning with music and clothes selection was  that of Miss Luxembourg Vice President Boubaker Almi.

The show itself was fantastically and professionally presented.  The week’s training certainly paid off.  You would have no idea this was a first show for them.

To be highly commended for the event is choreographer Romain Philipp, head of the Luxembourg dance school Flashdance. Throughout the week he trained and supported all the finalists in the build-up to the big event.  

The week then ended with a well earned day of relaxation for the finalists although in the afternoon they competed against each other is a “Finalist Olympics”.

The entire week was organised by Miss & Mister Luxembourg organiser committee, or rather “Comité National Miss & Mister Luxembourg Miss Grand Duché de Luxembourg ASBL”.  President, Muriel Gilbert and Vice President, Boubaker Almi  present for the week in Djerba organised a great programme and support for the finalists and of course the journalists and a big thank you must be mentioned to both of them.

So what’s in store to the finalists now that they’re back in Luxembourg?  Firstly they have more training in store with Romain Philipp for two main areas: catwalk routines and the talent show performance that is part of the competition.  Finalists will also have several events they will be attending.  Another important part of the position of Miss or Mister Luxembourg is giving something back to society.  Finalists will be required to support a, or several, local charities or organisations and support throughout their year’s reign.  It is for them to decide who or what.

Of course we must not forget the big election final for both Miss and Mister Luxembourg that takes place in Chateau d'Urspelt in Clervaux on 19th December.

As we all know, Luxembourg is a very small place and where this competition varies from other countries is that competitors elsewhere are just names and faces, whereas in Luxembourg you are very likely to bump into the finalists in the street or a supermarket.   So keep an eye out for them, you may well bump trolleys in Auchan soon!  

To see a list of the ten Miss Luxembourg finalists click here   

To see a list of the four Mister Luxembourg finalists click here

Visit the official Miss and Mister Luxembourg website: www.missluxembourg.lu