Having been in the fashion industry for over four decades, Lou Ching Wong is known for his expertise in choreography, styling and fashion designing.

With a perfectionist drive ingrained in his blood, Wong is getting 21 finalists ready for Manhunt 2019 which will be held this month. The pageant will see Sri Lanka’s next male super model taking the ramp while grooming 20 other contestants and giving them an experience of a lifetime. 

 “I’m not really satisfied with the industry because it has not grown in the right direction,” Wong said in an interview with the Daily Mirror Life. “The quality has dropped in a lot of areas. Sometimes there are people with no knowledge, experience or artistic background or connection to fashion or field of arts who are trying to do this. This is because some think they can make money out of it, sometimes even going to the extent of misleading people. The reason I’m still doing this is to give back to society and to educate young people. These are educational programmes where I bring highly skilled, professional people to teach them so that they leave with something which will last a lifetime. Participating in this pageant should be worth their while. There is a lot of theory more than practical. Before you come to the technique, you need to learn the finer points about fashion.”

As the brainchild of Runway Model Academy, Wong has trained and groomed amateurs who are seen in Colombo’s fashion scene today. “The Runway Model Academy follows the same techniques that we are doing with these participants. I encourage them to go and learn English, do dancing, identify their talents etc. When I do something it’s not just a show but a production,” he continued. “From the script to what a person wears has been monitored by me. There’s a huge thinking process that goes into the production. There are many angles to a production and these are things you cannot teach people. I’m quite strict. I’m very definite about what I say and I expect a lot of commitment and discipline. Once I get that going I’m successful because that is what a lot of people lack today. I have been brought up with a lot of discipline and that is my success story.”

The pageant is being conducted in a transparent manner with legal contracts being signed, ensuring that all standards of an international pageant are being met. 

The finalists at Manhunt 2019 are getting a good deal because according to Wong, if a value is placed on everything that they get, it’s going to be a colossal amount. “Even though only one of them would win, everyone will take back not only a memory but a wealth of experience they gained.” 

With expertise from Ramzi Rahuman on grooming, to proficiency and etiquette training by Faith Landers, corporate etiquette training by Kumar De Silva, aerobics and dancing by Aruni Weerakkody the finalists are in for a holistic experience. “After all it’s a show. Who wins is immaterial but I’m preparing all 21 of them. We give everyone equal attention and it’s all about equality. They are all treated with respect.”

The contestants hail from Matara coming all the way to Colombo and it was open to anyone with the right qualifications. Both married and unmarried men were eligible to participate with the age limit been take up to 35. The finalists will don attire designed by a Pakistani designer in addition to swim wear by Linea Aqua and formal wear. Wong is positive that Manhunt 2019 will not be just another fashion show but a high end one. 

Manhunt 2019 will be held on November 25th at the Hilton Colombo.