Miss Veet or Amiss Veet?

Miss Veet is a reality show that began several years ago with a Miss Veet Supermodel concept, attempting and somewhat succeeding in recruiting new models for the fashion industry; this season it changed tracks and switched to a Miss Veet Pakistan format. The difference: Miss Veet Pakistan would be a well rounded representation of the ideal, modern Pakistani woman and not just a pretty face. While the TV show had numerous loopholes, it did look good in retrospect and one does admire the brand to take this intelligent leap because objectification of women on the basis of physical attributes does not go down well with 21st century ideal. The new show, along with the initiation of the Veet Academy to mentor young girls on personal care, is concrete contribution from the brand.

However, an idea or event does require a certain level of aesthetic to be appealing – execution is key - and that was sadly missing from the Miss Veet grand finale, held at Mohatta Palace last night. The over use of the garish pink corporate colour, the amateur sets and props (I thought plumes, feathers, balloons and horse costumes went out with the Horse & Cattle show) and the fact that a supposedly high-end event could seat you for a two hour show without serving as much as a drop of hot water was severely odd. Balu Mahi promotions were plugged throughout the evening; we would have preferred to have heard more of Noori. The Thora Jee Lee cast danced; it would have been nice had they been introduced as no one knew who they were. If judged on the opening and closing by Mawra Hocane and Ali Zafar respectively, the event would be a hit, but then you can’t always ‘remove’ the unwanted elements. Pun intended.

—By Aamna Haider Isani

PS. Read Instep’s full review on the show and the finalists on Sunday.