KUALA LUMPUR: Miss Malaysia / World 2007, Deborah Priya Henry, was feted today by franchise holder DDB PR and event manager- Beyond events as part of a mini send-off with friends of the media. Miss Malaysia World leaves for Sanya, China on Nov 2, to participate in a month-long series of activities in the run-up to the Miss World 2007 Grand Finals on Dec 1.

Deborah also showed off her elegant evening gown, specially designed by Melvin Lam of Melvin Lam Haute Couture. She will take on the catwalk in the gown, which will compete against 100 others from around the world for the ‘Best Designer Award’.

“This gown is gorgeous, and I feel very confident wearing it to represent Malaysia. Melvin has done an excellent job in designing it,” said Deborah, 21, who is originally from Kuala Lumpur and stands at 5’9”.

Melvin said Deborah has every designer’s dream figure and height. “She looks so natural in the gown that I am sure she will carry it off very well during the competition.”

“I had Deborah in my mind when I designed it. The gown accentuates her figure,” said Melvin, of the outfit, which has colourful batik floral prints and gold trimmings made from silk.

Melvin said the halter neck design emphasizes Deborah’s toned shoulder while the earthy colours complement her natural olive skin tone.

Melvin Lam Haute Couture is also the Official Couturier for Miss Malaysia/World 2007. He is based in Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur.

Aside the elegant gown, he will also be sponsoring several other outfits for Deborah’s stay in Sanya which includes Cheongsam, Baju Kebaya, Baju Kurung and other cocktail dresses.

For the Talent Contest at the Miss World Grand Finals on Dec 1, Deborah said she would perform a contemporary Modern Asian Fusion dance called Asmaradana, which is adapted from the movie Puteri Gunung Ledang.

“I have been taking lessons to perfect my dance steps. I attend dancing classes at least three times a week. I have always loved to dance and I am glad that I will be putting my skills into the talent show,” said Deborah.

That aside, she has also been attending Celebrity Fitness Lifestyle and Fitness club, where she exercises regularly to tone her body and look her best.

The 2007 pageant celebrates 48 years of Malaysia’s participation in the Miss World contest, which was founded in 1951. Miss Malaysia/World 2007 executive producer and Model.Com general manager, Amin Hussen, said he is confident Deborah would do well in the pageant.

“As a beauty queen, Deborah is confident, composed and compassionate. She communicates and presents herself very well, and most importantly, she has stage presence. I’m very proud of her, and I’m sure she will make Malaysia proud too,” said Amin.

As Miss Malaysia/World 2007, Deborah is also a World Vision children’s rights advocate, and has helped to increase awareness of the organisation and create a lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty.

She has also adopted a child as part of World Vision’s “Adopt A Child” campaign. Since her crowning, Deborah has participated in numerous charity programmes and causes.

DDB Public Relations Sdn Bhd is the Miss Malaysia/World franchise holder while the event is organised by Beyond Events Sdn Bhd and Model.Com. Rapp Collins Malaysia manages the branding and design aspects.

Source: Adoi Magazine