An inaugural beauty pageant for African-Australian women is on its way to Sydney. Aiming to redefine notions of beauty in our multicultural nation, Miss Sahara will crown the top Australian African model over a three-day event from April 12-14, 2018.

Founded by Sudanese refugee and international model Anyier Teresa Yuol, the pageant celebrates Australia’s cultural mix and will create pathways for greater diversity in modeling across mainstream marketing and media. Anyier wants to see Australian Fashion Week in 2018 be a showcase of diversity, truly representing indigenous, established and new immigrant beauties of Australia. 

Anyier immigrated to Australia from Kenya when she was ten years old, having lost her parents in the Sudan War. She was raised in Kakuma refugee camp. She applied herself academically in her youth, securing the first Football Scholarship at the UNSW for students of financial disadvantaged backgrounds. She now is developing a high profile career as an international model.   See these links for more information about the founder 

Anyier is so passionate about this project, that she herself is investing in the event. She is using $20k of her own savings towards the production and promotion of the event. 

However, this projects needs more financial support if it is going to be the iconic event that breaks the rules on Australian fashion and advertising for greater diversity being the norm. 

Sponsors are being called on across fashion, beauty, services and government to support this initiative, which seeks to expand broader notions of beauty in a multicultural Australia. 

Contestants are also being sought that want to enter the modeling industry and build the skills, esteem and networks to launch their careers. See www.misssahara.com

More about the founder 

Getting to know TERESA YUOL – Miss grand South Sudan 2016

http://www.criticalbeauty.com/2016/10/getting-to-know-teresa-yuol-miss-grand.html

Sydney Morning Herald – Study gives a sporting chance

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/study-gives-student-a-sporting-chance-2

Football United’s Hope Team

https://www.scribd.com/document/34785433/Footballl-United-s-Hope-Team

The funding will be used to support production and marketing costs associated with promoting the event,  attracting contestants, subsidise the models accommodation, host the modeling workshops and gala dinner.  We've estimated we need a total of $38,400 to cover all our costs. 

The actual gala dinner held at the Swiss Hotel Sydney for 200 guests costs $25,600. However, this will be self-funded via the purchase of tickets at $180 pp.  

As mentioned in the project overview,  Anyier Yuol herself is investing in this initiative with $20k of her own savings to secure venues, production requirements and other marketing costs associated with the event. 

Below is a chart of the breakdown of the production and marketing costs that crowdfunding will support: 

We have got a fantastic sponsorship proposal developed and have issued a press release to get some publicity and support. So far we have TV2 on board with filming the event in April 2018. 

However, the challenge we have is getting sponsors to value the amazing advocacy and branding available at the event. We really need some Australian Designers on board to back the event and showcase their designs. We also need other companies and organisations to support the initiative and see the synergy it provides with their commitment to diversity and true representation of Australians in the 21st century.