A fashion store in Wrexham is helping a stunning student reach for the stars in the Miss Galaxy competition.
Ambitious Alana-Marie Lewis, 18, is hoping to make it all the way to the finals in America with the help of some Hollywood glamour from Su Su’s at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.
First comes the UK finals where Alana, from Tywyn, in Gwynedd, will be vying for the title Miss Galaxy Wales on February 21.
The dress Alana-Marie will be wearing is by the American designers, Precious Formals, who’ve provided outfits for Hollywood films like Prom Night and hit TV shows such as Laguna Beach.
Susie Ryder, the owner Su Su’s, which specialises in jewellery and prom dresses, is backing Alana in her quest.
The store opened just before Christmas and things are going so well that they’re using the success as a springboard to open another branch in Newcastle under Lyme.
Susie believes Alana-Marie has a great chance of landing the title.
She said: “I first got involved with Miss Galaxy last year at my Conwy store. I sponsored Jenny Thomas who represented the region in the 2010 Miss Galaxy Wales competition and she did really well.
“I was asked to be one of the official sponsors for this year’s regional finals and accepted and through that decided to sponsor Alana as a regional contestant.
The Miss Galaxy regional finals will be held at Warrington’s Daresbury Park Hotel when Miss Galaxy England, Scotland and Wales will be chosen.
If Alana-Marie wins the Miss Galaxy Wales crown she’ll go on to the world pageant final in America later in the year.
Susie, said: “It’s a tough competition and Alana will have to be at the on top of her game to be in with a chance. However, she’s looks stunning in the dress we have chosen and I’m sure she will be in with a great chance.”
Alana-Marie, a first year student of Aberystwyth University, is really looking forward to the competition.
She said: “I took part in Miss Teen Galaxy last year, which was also held at the Daresbury Park Hotel, so I have a bit of experience now and perhaps a better understanding of what is required.
“There are several elements to the competition. Contestants are interviewed throughout the day while rehearsals are taking place. There are then three sections, swimwear, fashion and evening wear.
“It’s actually really hard work and the contestants, despite what people often say, get on really well. I will have my mum and boyfriend there to support me and feel really confident.
“I can’t thank Susie enough for sponsoring me through her Su Su’s store here at Eagles Meadow. I probably wouldn’t have managed it without her help, it’s fantastic and the evening wear gowns are unbelievably gorgeous.”
Alana-Marie, who is reading child studies and education, says she really hopes to represent Wales at Miss Galaxy world pageant in America.
She said: “It would be such an amazing experience. I would love to do more fashion modelling. I modelled at a fashion show at Venue Cymru, Llandudno for Susie and I have done a little bit of photographic work and would love to do more.
“It’s really all about getting experience and enjoying the event and if something comes of it, well brilliant, I’ll just have to wait and see.”
Alana-Marie’s mum, Helen Lewis, is head teacher of the local high school, Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn, where her daughter attended before enrolling at Aberystwyth University, and says she hopes her daughter just enjoys the experience.
She said: “Taking part in the Miss Galaxy pageant can only be good for her confidence. I hope she does really well and would be delighted to see her crowned Miss Galaxy Wales.
“To make it to the finals in America would be wonderful for her and would be a fabulous experience. It’s brilliant that Susie, here at Su Su’s Eagles Meadow, has agreed to sponsor her, we can’t thank her enough.”
Alana’s boyfriend, Chris Rawson, 23, says he hopes his girlfriend of 12 months gets the most out of the pageant and says he is very proud of her.
He said: “I don’t get jealous of people looking at her on the catwalk in fact the complete opposite, I just feel so proud. The Miss Galaxy pageant can only be good for Alana’s confidence and give her a real boost.
“It would be fantastic to see her crowned Miss Galaxy Wales and make it through to the world finals in America – I hope I get to go along if she makes it!”
