FRESH AT THE MISS ENGLAND SEMI FINALS – after the Heats, THE HEAT IS REALLY ON

We are honoured and privileged to have been part of the judging panel at the Miss England Semi Finals, which were held on Monday 13^th June.  Rain didn’t stop play and what a fantastic day was had by all, contestants, organisers and judges alike!  Firstly, the venue is fabulous if we say so ourselves.  Who doesn’t want to spend time at Champney’s Springs, Leicestershire – The Champney’s Group recently won the award for the 2011 Conde Naste Readers Spa Retreat of the Year which went to their Forest Mere Spa. We definitely were impressed with the stunning location; glorious landscaped gardens and delectable food, everyone who attended were so well looked after…we’ll definitely be going back. For a tense fixture in the calendar it’s the perfect place as it’s aura of calm and serenity most definitely helped all beautiful semi-finalists be much more relaxed for this important day. 

The rounds were split into four and there were a total of 54 fantastic girls who all took part.  We always find it hard to judge these events as there is something special in every girl that takes part, in fact, every girl who comes into our Fresh Academy Studio has a certain something that makes them all uniquely beautiful.  The Semi Finals have a boot camp in the morning and an interview later on, plus a superb fashion show which was set in a breathtakingly decorated marquee.  This is known as the “Eco Round” and the “Evening Wear Round” – we think that’s our favourite, always great to see the girls dressed up for a stylish party!

Amongst the 9 Semi-Final judges, we were represented by Charlie Kaufman who is the founder of Fresh, a top photographer himself, with years of outstanding experience he knows exactly what he’s looking for when looking at beauty, behind a lens and in front of it. The judges come from all different areas of the fashion, media and beauty industries, from former beauty queens to hairdressing, and the current Miss England herself, Jessica Linley. Each was looking for something individual and has their own ideas and opinions on who should go through – believe us, it was one tough selection process.  As well as the obvious, which of the finalists are the most gorgeous, personality is a key factor in going further in the competition, as is community work, and we spent a long while deliberating all the ladies who were in the Semi’s.  Every one of the girls was debated and it is always hard letting the ones who don’t make it go as they’re all fantastic.  No doubt the finals are going to be extremely difficult to decide. 

Obviously this event is key as it’s the run up to the Miss England Finals on the 18^th and 19^th July.  Here’s a list of the amazing girls who are going through to the Miss England Finals, we wish each and every one of them GOOD LUCK:

Miss Bath City Amy Willerton

Miss Harrogate and District Alexandra Devine

Miss Sutton Coldfield Roxanne Smith

Miss South West London Margarita Nazarenko

Miss Wigan Abbie Green

Miss University Katie Farr

Miss Fylde Coast Sophie-Leigh Anderson

Miss Blackburn Harriet Noakley

Miss Newcastle Hannah Gray

Miss Preston Runner Up Hollie Robinson

Think you’ve got what it takes for 2012?  Then let us know and check out our website www.freshacademy.com for further information on our Fresh Academy photography, make-over’s and our stunning portfolios.  Remember this, the winner of Miss England will go on to compete in Miss World, where the prize is an astounding $100,000!