The Mister Universe International pageant recently certified local renowned designer, Dexter Gardener, as national director of the local franchise. The franchise is being held under Gardener’s brand dubbed “Falcon Designs”.
For 70 years the world has been watching attentively as women grace the international stage, competing for the coveted crown and title of Miss Universe; however at this time, a new competition is set to take the world by storm, offering men this same prestigious opportunity.
This is a platform for men from all across the globe to compete for the ultimate title, the Mister Universe International. This pageant is the first of its kind, being a male pageant that is truly global and celebrates the uniqueness of each of its contestants.
As this franchise emerges to dazzle the rest of the world, Guyanese can expect to see representation of our beloved nation.
Newly appointed National Director- Gardener, is no stranger to the industry, as he has designed pieces for a number of titleholders and pageant queens, both locally and regionally, steadily copping the best costume. Apart from this, he himself would have participated in pageantry and represented Guyana on the international stage as our Mister Grand International in 2021 and also played vital roles in many other pageants.
Gardener said, “I believe that Guyana has what it takes to place on the international stage, but we can only do so with the undying support of our fellow citizens.
Male beauty pageants have for long been a topic of controversy in many cultures and societies including our own.”
Further he noted that it is widely believed that men who participate in pageantry are effeminate and this notion often results in social stigma and discrimination. Additionally, male pageantry has long been overshadowed by female pageantry and this has led to the perception that male pageants are less significant than their female counterparts.
Dexter Gardener posited that he aspires to break the stereotype and stigma attached to male pageantry and is hoping that the addition of this pageant can aid in doing so. His hope is that this journey helps to change the attitudes of Guyanese toward male pageantry and to show that male beauty pageants can be empowering and provide opportunities for men to showcase their talents and achievements.
Representing Guyana in Panama later this year is 30 year old Rakesh Permaul, who was handpicked by Gardener himself. Permaul and Gardener are both keen on showcasing Guyana’s flora, fauna and rich cultural diversity with the world since it is their belief that Guyana’s tourism industry can significantly benefit from such. They see pageantry as an avenue to tell the world that Guyana is here and that we have many sights to see and much to offer.
Though the representative was not selected through a local competition this year, Dexter is hoping to do things differently next year and host a local competition so that Guyanese men can have the chance to compete for the title of Mister universe Guyana and by extension Mister Universe International.
