Alternative Miss World 2014: Drag queens, PVC frocks and naked models in body paint
THE world-famous beauty pageant took place this weekend celebrating everything unique
Forget half-naked models in swimwear talking about world peace - we're more interested in the eccentric beauties featuring in the Alternative Miss World Awards 2014.
Taking place at The Globe Theatre in London, the contest, which is open to entrants of any gender or nationality, aims to celebrate everything unique.
The theme of this year's competition was neon numbers and the show featured everything from drag to avant-garde design, PVC body suits, balloon headdresses and automobile costumes.
The competition mimics the official Miss World contest in that it has a day-wear, evening dress, swimwear and interview round, but that is where the similarities end.
Cross-dressing artist Grayson Perry is a longtime supporter of the awards and hosted this year's ceremony.
He said: "I always love it when you can see someone who makes the effort when they go out.
"It’s like why you do your front garden - you might not sit in your front garden and enjoy it, but it makes the street nicer for everybody who’s walking down it."
This year the winner was Miss Zero, whose real name is Sasha Frolova, of Russia.
Founder Andrew Logan, who started the awards in 1972, said: "I’ve always felt like I want to encourage people - if I can inspire just a few then I’ve done something in this world.
"Of course it’s great fun, but it was always something more than that."
Judges this year were from a range of backgrounds and included the fashion designer Dame Zandra Rhodes, actress Zoe Wanamaker and Madness frontman Suggs, who met his wife at one of the early competitions.