Known for his avant-garde style whether
it’s designing or singing, Melvyn Noronha has scaled the ordinary to make a
lasting impression. When Gail D’Silva invited him to design her national
costume for the Miss United Continent pageant in Ecuador (2014), she was
confident she would have a winner. And win they did – she with the 1st Princess
title and he for the Best National Costume. “I was elated that my hard work had
paid off and, more importantly, it gave me an opportunity to make my parents
and my country proud,” avers this designer, whose costume was adjudged one of
the best costumes of the year along with that of Miss Universe Indonesia for
the year 2014 by Pageant Times Forum and the Critical Beauties Forum of
Analysis of 2014 Pageants. He also had the unique honour of being the first
Asian to win a pageant design contest in South America.
Not surprisingly, Melvyn’s award-winning
talents were roped in by the organisers of the Miss India pageants as the
national costume designer. “My gown which won an award at the national event
made a significant impression on the judges and organisers. So even before we
went off to Ecuador, they had asked me to design the national costumes for the
other winners who would be participating in other international pageants,”
reveals Melvyn.
Their confidence in Melvyn was duly
awarded. He brought back the 3rd Runner-up Best National Costume for Miss
International 2014 (Tokyo), represented by Jhataleka Malhotra, 2nd Runner-up at
the Miss Supranational 2014 (Poland) represented by Asha Bhat and the bronze at
the Miss Earth 2014 (Philippines) represented by Alankrita Sahai. It was but a
given that Melvyn would invariably be the choice of designer for the 2015
winners as well.
The genesis of his unique but heavily
embellished creations lies in his whole approach to the design. “I have a
strong process of working. Before I begin, I pray. I then talk to the
contestant and try to gauge a part of her personality that is unique and then
try to showcase it in the costume. For example, I recall Gail’s generosity
towards a little girl. The 38-kg gown with wheels, themed ‘Carnival of Indian
Cartoons, Toys and Festivals of the Mind of an Indian Child’ has arisen from
that interaction. Since Gail was from Goa, I also wanted to highlight our
unique festivals along with traditional toys and Indian comic superheroes. Two
well-known Goans – Alexyz, who painted cartoons of Indian musicians on the
choli, and make-up artist Carol Fernandes – were also roped in,” explains
Melvyn of the gown which took a week to put together with an ensemble of
friends/professionals. “Devashish Mazumdar has brought his expertise in 3D
designs, Nikhil Franco his sketches and Adney Gonsalves his digital art,” he
acknowledges.
Jhataleka’s 7.5 kg gown of the theme
‘Celebration of the Roots of Indian Theatre and Dance’, which was completed in
11 days, arose from her strong background in traditional Indian dance and
theatre, despite her aspirations to Bollywood. Similarly, Alankrita’s obsession
with nutrition and fitness, juxtaposed against her femininity found resonance
in the gown theme ‘Foundations of Indian Structures, Sculptures and Kamasutra,
in a Paradise of the Flora and Fauna of the Western ghats’. Weighing about 15
kilos on the back and embellished with clay structures it was completed within
a record five days. Asha’s gown, ‘Victorious Battle of Indian Spirituality over
Paranormal Forces of Evil’, ensued from her love for elephants and interest in
paranormal activities.
Launched into the big league, Melvyn is
nevertheless rooted and committed to his art, overcoming all odds to design his
unique creations. Given his track record, his forthcoming designs at the
international pageants are likely to garner more accolades.
