Ninon Overeem – Lync – #MissKroeshaar 2017
The very first Miss Kroeshaar to choose Suriname's Next Natural Model was more than successful for me. Actually, I had decided to take it easy, this time in Suriname. I had come to celebrate my birthday with my dad, who is now 81 years old, and to spend some extra time with him. Especially now that my sister Tineke is no longer there, this need is extra strong.
My niece Tyra, daughter of Tineke, gave me the idea to do something. When my niece, who had participated in the first Sabi Wiri Dei in 2003, asked when I would organize “something like that” again, I thought, maybe I should do something. After more than 300 reactions on Facebook, it became clear that there was a need for a beauty pageant.
However, it turned out to be not so easy to realize, since registrations and ticket sales could not be processed online. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm had already been tempered somewhat, but fortunately there was Stichting Cocon. Through a partnership with this great non-profit, which is known for projects with young people in the interior, ticket sales and registrations were slowly but surely realized.
Inspired by the enthusiasm of the models and the attractive location, I came up with three rounds. The Feng Shui Garden is a beautiful garden with beautiful flowers, exotic plants and an elegant bridge over a pond. A perfect location that had to be used optimally. I came up with the following three rounds:
- an intro in which the models had to explain who they were, what they did and why they participated in Miss Kroeshaar.
- a tour of the Feng Shui Garden based on each candidate's favorite spot.
- a demonstration to show the versatility of curly hair.
With these rounds I hoped not only to show the beauty and versatility of afro hair, but also to create awareness regarding the social issues that the Creole woman with afro hair still has to deal with. The stereotypical stigmas prevent women and men with afro hair from wearing their hair naturally, even in 2017. Applying for a job with an Afro is still not done and we certainly don't talk about dreadlocks, the most natural and healthy way to grow afro hair.
The social pressure this causes makes women feel compelled to relax or wear weaves. The result is disproportionate hair breakage and hair loss in Creole women and that is why Miss Kroeshaar is also sorely needed.
Janelle Oosterling and audience
Janel, Nicole Simson, Johanna Scheineman, Aisia and Harvey Lisse
Without help you are nowhere
Ideas are fun, getting likes on Facebook is perhaps even more fun, but with ideas that catch on, you are really not there yet. Reality shows that ideas are only feasible if people are also prepared to cooperate and I can count myself lucky with a jury, makeup artist and presenter who have cooperated from the getgo.
Ciske Pinas, a makeup artist who offered her services, did an exceptionally good job. The pictures speak for themselves.
Harvey Lisse, for me the best photographer, who despite his busy schedule and his pregnant wife, agreed and was able to add a male gaze to the jury.
Nicole Simson, a protoge from the very beginning who has just opened her own hair salon and can create magically beautiful hairstyles, was also part of the jury.
Aisia, the owner of myblackhair.nl who left the Netherlands for Suriname six years ago, was the blogging jury member.
Johanna Scheineman, owner of the Hair Box on Keizerstraat for over 20 years, an iconic hair salon specializing in Dreadlocks, also made a fantastic contribution as a member of the jury.
Jannelle Oosterling was extra phenomenal. This hairdresser/designer not only sponsored accessories, she also helped the candidates with the clothing, guided the jury from start to finish and presented the whole thing together with me.
Of course, not to forget, the people behind the Feng Shui Garden. You may have seen them occasionally behind the bar or peeking behind glass to see if everything was going well, but also Rihanna, Shaffinaz and Bibi, my Hindustani family I call them, spared no expense or effort to make the garden look its best, make snacks and make sure everything went smoothly.
The candidates and the winner
Not all of them have yet been able to create a profile on Going-Natural.com, the site that also hosts America's Next Natural Model, but I can assure you, all of the candidates looked spick and span. I proudly admired the models, ranging in age from 11 to 53, with frizzy to curly hair. It was oh so beautiful to see!
The last round of hair demonstrations was the favorite round for the audience because according to them it was very educational. The favorites were also clear; Roni Morengo who brought a real fan club who audibly supported her and Pricilla, who was sweetly called number one or the one with the Afro.
No. 2: Georgeddy Main – The one with the Afro and 3. Roni Marengo who became No. 3
How glad I was that I wasn't on the jury because every candidate really had her own thing! It was a heated discussion, I'm told, but in the end they chose Ninon, the oldest participant. This former Yellow Birds gym teacher ultimately carried the message of frizzy hair best with her beautiful long hair. Frizzy hair, a crown that radiates dignity.
Ninon Overeem – Lync – #MissKroeshaar 2017
We're far from done talking. We'll be talking for weeks to come, but for now I hope you can enjoy the photos.
Thanks again to the contestants, Sheri-Lynn, the audience and everyone who worked so hard to make this day a success. Grantangi!
For all the pictures go to my #MissKroeshaar Album on Going-Natural.com.