The beauty hunt audition for Pakistan’s first beauty expo brought about 400 plus people from around the country to try their luck for what is going to be the country’s first beauty expo of its kind. The selected candidates will be hosting, walking, hosting, singing and ushering at the main event. “Beyond Beautiful is a movement to celebrate and enhance beauty,” Frieha Altaf of Catwalk said. The interested candidates were given a chance to get registered from 8am to 11am, after which rigorous preparations started for the day. The potential models included singers, dancers and even a grandmother and few were already struggling with modelling career. Needless to say, it was exactly what the Beyond Beautiful team and event was advocating for. Not just this but staying true to the conventional theme and idea that beauty has diversity and it is for everyone, three transgender aspiring models also decided to try their luck. Once the registrations were done, all the registrants were sent to for grooming and styling session. Samiya Ansari was the stylist for the event, who helped every contestant with an appropriate makeover and styling according to their personality. Finally, every one of them went through a photoshoot by photographer to be presented in front of the judges’ panel. The panel included Frieha Altaf, Hassan Shehryar Yasin, Saba Ansari and Raza Jaffri. Beyond Beautiful focuses on the development of the beauty industry and strives to change the stereotypes on standards set. It is a first platform of its kind in Pakistan that offers one-stop solution for all the beauty brands and trends needs. It will feature custom hair and makeup shows, panel talks, workshops and master classes by local, international beauty brands and experts. Catwalk’s initiative Catwalk Cares, which aims to empower and educate by sharing the life-changing techniques and giving out self-grooming sessions and scholarships to those who deserve will be hosting the event. Published in Daily Times, January 13th 2019.