Miss Bermuda goes from rags to riches

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29: Miss Bermuda has gone from rags to riches in just a week after attracting sponsorship from clothing store company AS Cooper.

Jana Outerbridge was literally walking the streets dressed in old newspapers and trash bags last week trying to raise money for her upcoming trip to London to compete in the Miss World Pageant in November.

But now she has an array of cocktail dresses and other items that will keep her looking her best at the numerous functions and events she is required to attend throughout the three-week trip.

Outerbridge said, “I found out on Monday that they would be sponsoring me. I am so grateful that they have stepped up the plate by providing me with some outfits, it will help out a lot. I was very excited when I found out. I didn’t know where everything was going to come from. They let me go into the store and pick out my clothes. It is good for me and is also good for my country because it is a local business.”

As part of the deal, AS Cooper gave Miss Bermuda numerous jackets, day dresses, sweaters to help cope with that cold British weather, jeans for the more casual events and cocktail dresses for the more formal events she is required to attend. The clothes include designer brands including Lauren by Ralph Lauren and  Jones New York.

The Department of Tourism has provided the airfares for her trip and her accommodation at the hotel she will be staying at with the other contestants is covered. However, Outerbridge, who won the Miss Bermuda Pageant representing St George’s in June, will need a number of other items to make her trip complete.

“I still have to get more cocktail dresses,” she said. “I need some evening gowns and also a sum of money for anything I may need in London.

Outerbridge told the Bermuda Sun that her national dress that she will wear on the night of the competition will be in the style of the Gombey outfits. It is being hand stitched by local seamstress Mrs Thompson.

In the past few weeks, Outerbridge has organized a number of other fundraising events to help her on her way.

Outerbridge will be making an appearance at AS Coopers today in connection with the Bermuda Fashion Night Out taking place across the city of Hamilton. She will be modelling some of her new clothes on the Black Carpet outside of the main store on Front Street.