Author: krissy

Event-documentary Portrait of the Queen, to hit select cinemas for a limited time on March 18.

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Portrait of the Queen, an event-documentary that looks at the moving, enthralling and controversial 70-year reign of late Queen Elizabeth II through the eyes of the world’s best photographers, will release to select Australian cinemas for a limited time on March 18.

The film, an original and intimate portrait that goes far beyond the dictates of standard conventional biographies, interweaves the story of the Queen’s life with the equally fascinating lives of the extraordinary photographers who accompanied – and often created – the image of British monarchy itself. Those who, through their work, established, conveyed, and spread the image of Her Majesty.

A special, careful look of the thousands upon thousands of images that have portrayed her, means that we can perhaps find a new way to approach a Queen we feel we have always known, but who has always seemed equally out-of-reach. Each portrait presented in this film, each conversation with the photographers involved in the project, all the accounts of experiences shared by actresses, designers, and British subjects, fit carefully and intricately into the screenplay like pieces of a mosaic that capture some of the multifaceted aspects of the Queen’s image, all different but connected, all equally powerful and significant.

Directed by award-winning photographer Fabrizio Ferri, Portrait of the Queen is based on the book, Elisabetta II: Ritratto di Regina by Paola Calvett. The documentary features legendary British actor Charles Dance (The Crown, Game of Thrones), with contributions from Emma Blau, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Isabella Rossellini, Susan Sarandon and the Queen’s photographers Brian Aris, Jason Bell, Julian Calder, Chris Levine, David Montgomery, John Swannell.

Meet The Man Behind The Cover Of The Latest Issue Of Global Elite Entrepreneur Magazine: Elton A. Hollis, III

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As one of America’s most sought-after entrepreneurs, Texas-based Elton A. Hollis, III shares his tips on how to be more successful in 2023.

With over 25 years of experience in the Oil and Gas Construction field, Elton A. Hollis, III provides consulting, training, executive coaching, and all facets of safety management and compliance services to clients in the industrial, commercial and small business industries. He has appeared on the cover of international magazines such as Global Millionaire Magazine and InLife International and has had articles published in Elitepedia, The Los Angelers, Refine Post, and The Global Celebrity. VT Post has also named him in the Top 100 Entrepreneurs in Texas.

In late 2021 he published his first book, “Creative Problem Solving” and has recently published his second book, “Buy Into Yourself First” – an engaging and enlightening book that provides a detailed approach on how to not only survive the pitfalls of entrepreneurship but to flourish while enjoying the journey. It’s a book that outlines successful business development tactics and teaches entrepreneurs how to make their businesses more successful.

During his career, Elton has held a wide range of titles, from Field Laborer to Executive Ownership. He prides himself on problem-solving for his clients by utilizing a diligent work attitude with creative, critical thinking. He is well-regarded in the Safety and Training field for his Small Business training grant work in collaboration with the Lamar Institute of Technology. Elton combines this with a particular interest in helping Small Businesses to succeed by conducting marketing meetings, events, and numerous mentor speaking engagements.

Specializing in developing business growth, Elton’s mission is to use his experience, expertise, and voice to help motivate and empower entrepreneurs to realize there is a path to achieving sustainable life satisfaction and inherent success. He brings the voice of business, understands the industry perspective, cares deeply about entrepreneurs, and is not afraid to challenge conventional thinking.

Elton is the owner of Hol-Tech Resources, LLC.- a full-service consulting service that provides guidance and training in the Safety, Quality, and Compliance realms. He is also the General Manager of RT Technical Solutions LLC, where he helps lead their team to the forefront of the Industrial Electrical and Instrumentation fields. In his spare time, Elton enjoys spending time outdoors exploring the Texas Hill Country on hiking trails.

We recently sat down and talked entrepreneurship with Elton, and here’s what he had to say:

What was your life like before starting your business?

I grew up in Port Arthur, Texas, for most of my elementary and junior high school years. We led a pretty humble and simple life. Looking back, I can tell we definitely were struggling and of the lower income class. However, I never once knew that when I was younger. It wasn’t until high school that I realized how far we had come. I was extremely fortunate to have a rock-solid family unit. A man couldn’t ask for a better set of parents and sisters than I have. I also had the advantage of our neighbors being just as important and loving as our own family. This was very important as my father worked lots of overtime and side jobs to help sustain us. My mother was raising three kids, our extracurricular activities, and getting her teaching degree from Lamar University. After she graduated, we moved to Kirbyville, Texas. This is where I spent my high school and young adult years. The people I met there and the friendships I’ve made along the way, I couldn’t imagine a better place in the world for an impressionable young man to grow up and learn. This is probably the biggest reason it was an easy decision to write my first song, “Kirbyville .” It outlines and highlights some of the simple yet crucial things I learned there.

What event in your life made you decide that you were going to be in business?

When I was 28 years old, I was approached by someone I respected for their business knowledge and professionalism. Basically, the pitch given to me was this, they needed someone who could bring a blue-collar work ethic, all-around knowledge of problem-solving, and the ability to make it relatable and applicable to everyone to join their ownership. I literally looked behind me when the pitch was given, as if they were talking to someone behind me. No money to put in, no fancy suit, no polished vocabulary, just the basic things my father, mother, and my mentors had instilled in me for many years, in every endeavor since those basic things have gotten me promoted and pushed ahead more than anything.

What were the “big wins” early on that made you realize “this really is going work?

Ironically my “big win” was a failure…or more specifically, a failure happened, and the whole world didn’t end. Sure, it hurt for a bit. I was embarrassed, angry, and all the usual emotions, but the following day came regardless. I got up, showed up, and went at it again. It was exhilarating to realize one failure wasn’t the end. Coworkers still spoke to me, still believed in me, and most importantly, they gave me advice on how not to have it happen that way again. At the end of the day, I went home, and my kids still loved me, which awakened my true desire to succeed. I relate this to my first time wearing football pads at football practice. I’m lined up across from a pretty athletic guy with more experience than me, probably 50 more pounds than me. The whistle blows, and BAM… he plows me over. I got up and realized nothing was broken, no blood, and it really didn’t even hurt. Game on! I found a whole other gear and adrenaline level I had never experienced. For me, in business, it’s the exact same way when you are faced with that tough challenge or a ruthless problem; it’s time to lower your shoulder and go right through it.

On the flip side, what events happened where you weren’t sure if the business would survive, but you figured out a way to pull through?

The COVID-19 pandemic was by far the toughest challenge in business I have ever faced. Dealing with a direct problem can be extremely tough but dealing with a problem that you have no control over, now that can be maddening. It challenged us to a whole new level. Made small, local niche companies have to think on a global scale to survive. It pushed us to all work together, even if we were remote. My biggest fear in business is being unable to hand a team member their paycheck. I literally have had nightmares over this. I know we still deal with some of the fallout from the pandemic today, but it is encouraging to see the business community’s resolve to come through it.

What makes your business stand out from your competitors?

My ability to blend common sense, production practices, and safety together has been a massive part of my success with Hol-Tech Resources LLC. I also spend most of my time understanding what my potential does, what their work culture looks like, and what regulations they may be subject to. When it comes to safety consulting and training, I believe that finding a solution that is either cost-effective or could possibly make the client money in the future is the best course of action.

What motivates you daily?

My main motivation is that amazing feeling I get when I’m able to see some sort of growth or change for the better that I have played a part in, no matter how small. Helping others and spreading knowledge and wisdom have always been a huge driving factor in keeping me energized and driven toward my goal.

Who are your influences growing up and in business?

My father and mother were my first big inspirations. They taught me the value of hard work. They also showed me how a team should work by watching them work together to raise our family. I have been extremely fortunate to learn from some outstanding individuals in business. Working with my father for the first several years, he took every opportunity to ensure I learned all the ancillary pieces to be a well-rounded and effective worker. Kasey Taylor, the CEO of RT Technical strengthened my belief in humanity by teaching me to be kind to everyone I meet because you never know what they are going through. My good friend and business associate Joe Tant continually inspires me with his diligent spirit to help people and businesses. He has shown me how important it is to stop and realize every business is made up of people with individual personalities and needs. If you take time to help or inspire one, that act can spread like wildfire to the next.

Going forward, what big goals do you have for this business for the next 3-10 years?

I’m excited about the new year opportunity, and we have some exciting things coming to Hol-Tech. We are looking at expanding our services to include a full-service site compliance piece in our business. This will help facilities be better prepared for the entities that hold them accountable and keep their employees more aware and safer.

Even more exciting is watching our Small Business Friday! Video Podcast grow. Joe Tant and I started this about a year ago now and it has continued to grow beyond our expectations. We spotlight local small businesses free of charge on each episode. This allows them to save money on advertising and helps get their name out on over ten social media platforms with just over 3.1 million viewers. In the spirit of constantly changing and growing, we have added the superb talents of Bonnie Revia (BMAX Inc. Productions) and our local drone master, Matthew Chance (Drone Wurx), to our team. The response to our program has been amazing, and we appreciate our team and our gracious sponsors who make it possible.

What’s Your Top 3 advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners?

• Never, ever give up. Don’t blame anyone else for your failures; learn and move up.
• Embrace the suck. It’s going to happen, just find a positive note and push on.
• Don’t be offended so easily. It’s called “taking offense” for a reason. It can’t be given, so just refuse to fall into the trap of taking it.

How do you want to impact the world, and what kind of legacy do you want to have?

I hope I can leave this world just a little bit kinder than I found it. I don’t mean the mushy, sunshine, and rainbows feeling. I’m talking about true, steadfast kindness. Doing something nice for someone, without expecting anything, is the grandest and most sincere thing you can do for an individual. Impact, to me, is a very powerful thing. I’ve heard it said, if we had the phrase “But, what if I’m wrong” tattooed on our trigger finger and the hand we type or write with, maybe we would save some massive heartache to the world. This phrase really resonates with me. In the age of “keyboard warriors” and just firing off malicious text, social media responses, or the ill-conceived notion of “Cancel Culture,” I hope that by what I have done, said, or taught, will have debunked these methods and shone a light on how important kindness and grace are to our world.

The Impact Of Social Media In Today’s Society: How Connected Is Too Connected?

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I was walking to work when I saw this businesswoman walking towards me. She was impeccably dressed in a knee-length pencil skirt paired with a lovely, flowy, short-sleeve blouse for the early summer weather. She took confident strides in her envy-inducing mid-heel pumps, and slung over one forearm was the successful, modern woman’s perfect accessory, the drool-worthy leather tote. But, in a practice that I see more often than not, her head was buried in the cell phone she held in her hands. Whatever was on the screen had her rapt attention that she didn’t notice the streetlamp in her path. That is until she ran right into it.

While that experience had me trying to hide my laughter, I had another encounter on the other end of the spectrum. I found myself having to grab a teenager’s backpack to stop him from walking right into the middle of a busy intersection! He was too busy staring at his phone to realise the danger that he was in. From the look of horror on his face, it was clear that he was completely oblivious until he felt me yank on his bag.

So how connected is too connected? Is the text, tweet, post, or whatever that held their attention worth her embarrassment, in the case of the businesswoman, or his life, in the case of the teenager? Our easy answer is no. But then, how many times have we been guilty of this ourselves? Let me give you this answer. Too many. So many that laws had to be created to make it illegal to be on your phone while driving. So many that automotive engineers had to design cars that can stop on their own when it detects danger before the driver does – a direct consequence of distracted driving. And how many times have you yourself given the bashful “I’m sorry” when you’ve run into someone because you were looking at your phone?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m actually a firm believer that the internet and social media can be a powerful force for good. More than at any other time in history, we have unprecedented access to information. Information that would have taken hours of research in the past is now available in a few keystrokes. Social media first emerged as a powerful tool of change during a period in the early 2010’s called the ‘Arab Spring’ where demonstrators used it to organize their protests (through the hashtag ‘#ArabSpring) throughout the Arab world, which included Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and more. The uprising saw whole governments overthrown, leaders ousted, and constitutional reforms enacted. In the Western world, the internet and social media have given us more exposure to controversial issues such as police brutality, given us more chances to engage in public debate, and allowed us the opportunity to participate in causes and campaigns such as the very popular ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ a while back that raised over a hundred million dollars for the motor neuron disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). And on a more personal level, it has enabled friends and families separated by great distances to now easily keep in touch with each other.

But again, how connected is too connected? Like everything else in life, keeping things in moderation is the key. But having such easy access to the internet makes tuning out a lot more difficult. The rapid growth of the internet and social media also means that the rules of etiquette and guidelines for its use are still catching up, especially for the younger generation. I heard some sage advice about that recently: “If you don’t want your boss, or future boss, to see it or read about it, don’t put it on Facebook.” But what do teenagers think of that when they’re having fun at a party? It is becoming increasingly the norm to ‘share’ whatever it is you’re doing, eating, etc., on social media. But where do you draw the line? Three young women from Philadelphia tragically found out the hard way when the car they were traveling in slammed into a parked tractor-trailer and burst into flames. Because of the fire, bystanders could not come to their aid, and all three were burned to death. Relatives of one of the girls said that they received a Snapchat video showing them going at about 73 mph (117 km/h) minutes before they crashed.

The line has definitely been crossed when there are deaths involved and when there are words like ‘cyberbullying’ are added to the dictionary. But this world of instant information and instant connections is our new reality, so when do you recognize that it’s too much? It’s when your online acquaintances take second place to the people within your life. It’s when you choose to learn about the world via the internet rather than actually going out there and experiencing it. And it’s when you do finally turn off that computer and put down that phone, and you can’t answer this question: “Who am I without it?” That’s when you know you’re too connected.

In Photos: GEM Models At The One Collective Christmas Party

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The One Collective Christmas celebration last Sunday night was one not to miss. It was a special Christmas collaboration between StarCentral Magazine, Stargazers Production, Millionaires Alliance, Homegrown Basketball, and TV1 Australia, with a special participation of Global Elite Media Group to celebrate 2022 and welcome 2023.

Set in the Property Investors Alliance building, a live runway show and a fashion experience featuring Stargazer models, GEM Models, Miss Earth Australia queens, Little Miss Earth Australia queens, and Mrs. Earth Australia queens took place. There was also the launch of the first-ever issue of TV1 magazine featuring Layla David, as well as the launch of the Miss Earth Australia magazine and the latest issue of Homegrown Basketball magazine.

Amongst flashing lights, media coverage, and music were beauty queens, models, and basketball players right in the middle of it all. It was a great night filled with world-class fashion and entertainment.

Check out some of the photos from the event below, courtesy of Aleksandr Eremeev.

Spotlight: All The Glitz And Glam Of The ARIA Awards 2022

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The red carpet was recently rolled out in Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion as the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards held its official ceremony for 2022. The cream of the crop in the Australian music industry attended Australia’s night of nights as the who’s who of the music industry gathered to celebrate the best in Australia.

If you want to see all the glitz and glam at the 2022 ARIA Awards, then scroll down below. Photos courtesy of Dave Choo.

Meet The Woman Behind The Cover Of The Latest Issue Of GEM Magazine: Robbie Canner

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Robbie Canner is a 63-year-old international model, and an international and national judge. She was crowned Ms. World back in 2018/19, and she’s also a public speaker on the topic “Age Is No Barrier.”

Since winning the Ms. World title, her public profile has considerably grown, allowing her to promote her platform and raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Winning major international titles in her 60s has given her a platform, showing men and women from all walks of life that age is no barrier to what anyone can achieve.

Since losing her son to cancer, her emotional and mental stress led her to visit thoughts such as, “I don’t want to be here anymore,” or “I want to be with my son.” However, eventually, her inner strength led her to want still to continue living, have a say, and give direction to help others in any area of situational, emotional, and mental stress – assuring them that things can get better in time.

She loves chatting to future queens and friends she meets along her journey and wants to help them achieve their hopes and goals.

GEM magazine recently caught up with Robbie to discuss her journey in the industry, and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself?

I joined pageantry at the grand young age of 57 years old after I lost my son to cancer. Being not in a really great place emotionally, I was looking for something to put my mind to and a charity platform for my son’s cancer, and that’s when I found the Scott Canner Young Investigator Grant through Tour de Cure. My first pageant in 2015 gave me a taste for pageants and the great friendships I made. In 2016 I won the Ms. Global United Australia title, which sent me to Minneapolis, USA, for the Ronald McDonald House for kids’ cancer, where I won the international title. From there, I entered Ms. World in 2018 and won that, and from there, I started my international modelling career, including Fashion shoots, TV Interviews, and becoming a pageant director. Now I love mentoring our young Queens, growing their confidence, and developing their future careers.

How did you become an international influencer? What’s it like to be an influencer?

Being called an International Influencer is a title that I am not totally comfortable with. Still, nevertheless, a title that gives me a platform to chat, mentor, and help develop and encourage people of all ages being in the same situation as me and a level that allows contact from those who otherwise, just like me in the past would not normally have someone to speak their emotions to. It gives me great satisfaction to know that I have many followers around the world who respect my situation and advise me to keep in touch and grow just like I have.

What has been your greatest triumph to date?

It’s where I have grown through having the guts to get up and ask for help, put my worst emotions out there, and am now in a position to help others. Triumph is a multi-level word, encompassing emotions, passions, growth, development, and being able to get up and get going again in the face of many adversities. Also, the confidence of winning a Ms. World title and growing from there has become very personal to me in the growth and mental arenas of walking International runways worldwide.

What do you think you came into this life to learn, and what do you think you came here to teach?

I came into this life to enjoy, love life, try and make all the right decisions, make fabulous friends, stay fit and healthy and should adversity come into my life, work out how and why I would address this for the best outcome of not only for myself but others.

This is an open-ended question, but it makes me look inside myself for the answers. I feel I am on the right path to achieving most of the outcomes. Where I would like to go from here is a growth of confidence which, as someone said to me, “No one would think you lacked confidence.” Well, I do, in many ways, and I do not like conflict in any form. If faced with this, I can withdraw into myself, but I always find a way out of my own maze and take on lessons; growth is always the outcome.

To have a platform to help others in many ways, from opportunities, chats, social media, guest speaking, and speaking with you all here in this fantastic magazine, I find to be rather cathartic and brings on fresh ideas of what and where I wish to grow to from here.

What projects are you working on right now?

Fashion weeks around the world, starting a new career with Qantas, still having the satisfaction after 38 years in my sports therapy practice of helping people achieve a pain-free life, writing a book, creating a new pageant system, and just being content with having my beautiful friends and opportunities in abundance.

What would you still like to attempt in your career?

A cover in New York, Paris, and London and just continue to be happy with where I sit right now.

What advice would you give to those hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Know who you are and what you want, and if at any time you feel bullied or let down, know your own worth and don’t let anyone put you down. Grow as I have, stand up for yourself, apologise if needed, and know in your heart that lessons have been learned and never need to be revisited again.

Meet The Woman Behind The Cover Of The Latest Issue Of GEQ Magazine: Rukeshma Lata Sharma

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Rukeshma is the current Mrs. Universe Fiji Official. A high teacher by profession, in the last 20 years in Australia, Rukeshma has supported many migrants, refugees, and International Students with their English language skills and looking after their welfare needs at the same time. She also spends her time volunteering for several organisations, such as the Rural Fire Service and Meals on Wheels to name a few.

She is also the founder and president of a charity organisation called Global Women where she raises funds for Breast Cancer research and Beyond Blue. This organisation aims to focus on women’s health and well-being, and she seeks to educate, encourage and empower women through her platform. She is also a host for International Woman’s Day and was awarded the Emerging Woman Award in 2021.

Rukeshma is an experienced ramp and print model. She recently came in the top two at the Wonders of Women, Fashion Modelling, and Pageantry Awards, where she was awarded the Woman of Champion award at WOW awards in 2021. She is a fashion model for Lavashe Couture, showcasing their Island range of designs at shows. She is also a model for Luekbook, showcasing their clothing for plus-size women from sizes 14 and upwards. Prior to this, she has been with Allure and Attitude, where she has showcased designers such as Punjabi Trends and Kaur Collections. An avid traveller and spending family time are things she likes doing, away from her very busy life.

GEQ magazine recently caught up with Rukeshma to discuss her journey in the industry, and here’s what went down:

How did you get into the pageant industry?

I got into the pageantry industry by participating in the Curves and Curls International pageant. From there, I was unstoppable and participated in many pageants after that.

How were you actually ‘discovered’?

I was a ramp model for an ethnic collection and participated in a sari competition before pageantry. Several people recommended me to the pageant director as a prospective candidate, and I was discovered into the world of pageantry.

What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?

The most memorable moment in pageantry so far was when I was crowned Mrs. Universe Fiji Official. This was a pageant that I thoroughly enjoyed because of the director’s professionalism and the wonderful friendships developed with other queens.

Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?

I have met some very beautiful queens in the industry that are really genuine. Mentors have supported older queens like me, and I would like to mention Sue Turner, who has always listened to and encouraged us in the best way possible.

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the pageant industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.

I have learned that a queen is not defined by having a sash and crown but by the work she does with her title, which truly defines her—using her title as a platform and advocacy to make a difference for other women and young girls in our society.

Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?

I believe in my capabilities and never lose focus that outside characteristics do not define a true queen. There are younger queens in pageantry, but I always believe that the young queens can learn a lot from older queens because of their wisdom and holistic approach to everything, as I find most queens are very self-centered and it’s all about them.

I remain grounded as I am committed to making a difference to other queens through mentorship or the broader community through my charity organisation, Global Women.

Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?

Yes, most definitely. They admire my courage and passion for being involved in pageantry in my fifties. They cannot always attend the events due to work and study commitments, but I know I have their full support.

What are your future plans? Inside pageantry or out of it.

My future plan is to continue using my title to make a difference in this world. I would like to take on more of a mentorship role and organising of pageants rather than participating in future.

Event Of The Month: Cover ModelQuest 2022

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What: Cover ModelQuest is one of the most prestigious modelling competitions in the land down under to date. It’s the quest to discover Australia’s most promising models where contestants compete in their own choice of beach wear, theme costume, and after-five fashion. There are no height or size restrictions. The top 3 models selected during the finals will be shot exclusively for the next issue of StarCentral Magazine, with the male and female winners becoming the cover of the next issue.

Where: Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport Hotel (241 O’Riordan St, Mascot NSW 2020)

When: November 12, 2022

Tickets via this link: Cover ModelQuest 2022

Introducing The Rising Stars Behind The Cover Of The October 2022 Issue Of Global Elite Entrepreneur Magazine: Kristin, Joanna, Tariq & Gwen

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Photographed by: Jay B. Gaerlan (@bilgaer25)
Makeup by: Contessa El-Kazzi

Kristin Venae

Kristin Venae is an Australian actor, singer, songwriter, and model – she graduated from the Sydney Academy of Film and Television. She was a host of the documentary series ‘Topical Punch,’ and she’s due to appear in the upcoming Kyle Lovett feature film ‘Lickerish.’ Kristin also happens to be a triple threat performer with soulful and rhythmic vocal tonality. Starting her live performance tours and artist development as a member of various bands such as the Latin group ‘Ritmo De Tropical’, ‘Loose minds’, and The Magnificent Companeros;’ She launched her debut album ‘Black Widow’ last year – a nostalgic and refreshing blend of Pop/RNB/Rock & soul.

Her debut single ‘Still Here’ has been described as an ‘ode to love.’ Its first review described Venae as having ‘the same gripping and soulful vocal eminence as Shania Twain, Celine Dion, and Mariah Carey. Keep an eye out for her next single release, ‘I am Woman’. ‘Still Here’ and ‘Lullaby’ which are available now on all streaming platforms.

Tariq Muhammed

With his positive attitude, Tariq Muhammed was chosen to compete in the Mr. Culture World International 2019 pageant in Vietnam – he represented the Australian culture as an immigrant living in Australia. He was eventually awarded the 2nd Runner-up title. Tariq is a fashion model with experience walking runways for local and international designers as well as charity and fundraising shows. Besides being a model, he also has a master’s in business (international business and marketing) from Charles Sturt University, Sydney.

Joanna Gunay

Joanna Gunay is a 34-year-old wife and proud mother of two beautiful children, a 6-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son. She was born in the Philippines and raised here in Sydney, Australia. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Oral health from the University of Sydney in 2008 and currently works at a specialist Orthodontic practice.

Joanna enjoys an active lifestyle, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. Some of her passions include fitness, fashion, health, and well-being. She started modelling after being scouted by an agency and since then has worked with different photographers and walked the runway for various well-renowned designers.

Her pageantry journey started ten years ago when she won the Miss Philippines-Australia 2012 crown. She is the current Mrs. Universe Australia official 2022, and her advocacy promotes awareness of women and children suffering domestic violence and to help create change. She believes that true beauty radiates from within and would like to use this platform to inspire, uplift, and empower other women to value their self-worth and reach their full potential.

Gwen Barcenas

Gwen Barcenas was born and raised in the Philippines. She went to University in Cebu, where she graduated with a double degree in Physical Therapy and Nursing. Gwen immigrated to Australia in 2017 to pursue a career in Nursing. She continues to explore new horizons in her interests. Fashion has always been a passion of hers. Gwen’s creativity is not only in fashion; she also has a flair for interior design. These days, she struts her stuff on both the runway and the hallways of healthcare, taking care of people in style.

Must-See Event Of The Week: Global Elite Fashion Festival 2022

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What: The first-ever GEFF (Global Elite Fashion Festival) is set to hit Sydney on Saturday, October 22, and we can’t be more excited!

Global Elite Fashion Festival is a platform pioneered by Global Elite Media Group and GEQ Magazine in collaboration with StarCentral Magazine, Flagcom group and Millionaires Alliance. It provides a sustainable platform for international and emerging designers that effectively engage with Australia’s diverse communities and presents an opportunity for designers to showcase their uniqueness and cultural nuances.

There will be three incredible events on October 22; The Australian Golden Sash Awards – the Oscars of beauty pageants will be happening first at 4 pm, followed by the Global Elite Fashion Festival then lastly, Global Elite International Awards.

When: Saturday, October 22. (Program starts 4 pm for the Australian Golden Sash Awards)

Where: Sir Stamford Plaza Grand Ballroom (241 O’Riordan St, Mascot NSW 2020)

Tickets: Please contact Sue Turner – 0402 281 721