The winners of the Face of Laos 2022 contest pose for a group photo after the final round.

Winners of Face of Laos 2022 contest announced

Mr Gabriel  Soutphila, Ms Phaithida Phothisane and Ms Tavanthong Bounleulay were declared the winners of Face of Laos 2022 during the grand finale of the competition held in Vientiane on Sunday.
The contest was broadcast live on the Facebook page of Face of Laos. All the winners appreciated the opportunity provided to them by the contest, and said that they had worked very hard for this first step towards success.
They said they will now prepare for the regional round of the competition in South Korea to showcase their talents and abilities outside the country. 
The winners urged their fans and the public to cheer for them at every stage of the regional competition. 
Mr Gabriel is 183 cm tall while Ms Phaithida is 175 cm tall. All three winners will represent Laos at the Face of Asia 2022 contest to be held in South Korea in October. They said they will promote the country and its culture and showcase their talents as fashion models at the event.
The top 18 contestants, including men and women, who passed the audition round went up on stage for the Face of Laos 2021 contest. This was the first time in two years that the event was organised on a real stage, after being held online due to the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 
The 18 contestants showcased their fashion walk and their different looks before the judges in the final round and also answered questions.  
A special show featuring the winners of the Face of Laos contests in 2020 and 2021 added to the atmosphere of entertainment.
The winner of Face of Laos 2020, Ms Khonevilay Mixay, said she will be the only Lao model to participate in Face of Asia in South Korea.
Mr Soulaphet Keoviengkham, the president of Face of Laos, said Face of Asia is the base of Face of Laos. Face of Asia is organised by the South Korean government and 27 Asian countries participate in the competition that has been held for 17 years, he said.
In 2020, Laos was represented at the event by the winners of Face of Laos - Ms Khonevilay Mixay from Vientiane and Mr Akouay from Pakxe in Champasak province. Ms Khonevilay entered the top 17 of the final competition. Laos was represented at Face of Asia 2021 by Ms Sabina Sithavong, Mr Thipphaphone Vilavongsa and Mr Somphong Phanthavong. Only one Lao contestant entered the top 17 at the final competition in 2021.
This year, the initial round of the Face of Laos competition was organised on July 9. It generated a lot of interest among the youth, and 18 contestants were selected for the final round.
The winners of Face of Laos will join activities for Face of Asia along with contestants from across Asia. Lao fans and the public can join the voting for each round of the contest. 
Mr Soulaphet hoped the contestants from Laos will enter the top 30 in the regional round in South Korea. 
Ms Meena Sivilay, the Director General of the Youth Affairs Department of the Lao Youth Union, said this contest gives a chance to Lao youngsters to showcase their talents as fashion models and helps promote Lao traditions and culture around the globe.

By Sisouphan Amphonephong
(Latest Update August 9, 2022)