Ian Royer
On November 13, 1986, Trinbagonians were elated as Giselle Laronde took the crown of Miss World at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, beating competitors such the now award-winning actress Halle Berry. To date, she is the only Trinbagonian woman to take the crown, and one of five women to hold the title from the English-speaking Caribbean.
“My reign was wonderful and inspiring, at 23 years old I was able to see the wonders of Hong Kong, Macau and London in one trip and visited over 30 countries across the world!”
Becoming one of the most iconic faces of the brand, Laronde (now Laronde-West) not only travelled extensively meeting celebrities and royals of the day, and living the glamour of the title, she truly inculcated philanthropy into her reign.
There were touching moments, such as a visit to an El Salvadorian orphanage: “I spoke in Spanish to about 500 orphans, and when leaving one of the little girls who had gotten attached to me during the visit held onto my dress and would not let go...she yelled ‘Mama’ and just would not let me go! I cried all the way back to the hotel and it is always a tear-jerker whenever I talk about it.”
Given her life changing experiences, we asked if she thinks pageantry is still relevant in today's world. “I believe it is still relevant. It is a great platform on which young women can discover themselves, and it can open doors to help them pursue their goals. With the right direction and guidance, it can be a great avenue for learning and growth. Not just in the general grooming of oneself but in the learning of etiquette and deportment, which is now lost in the school systems. Times have changed, young ladies no longer feel the need to act like young ladies any more.
"Despite the perception that you just have to "parade on stage”, there is great exposure to so much more—like camaraderie, opening the mind to current affairs of the world, learning cultures, lifestyles, personalities, and how to deal with them.
Excelling in corporate T&T
"Delegates have either done their degrees or are studying to be lawyers, doctors, physicians, environmentalists, marketing gurus, and the list goes on. No one seems to see that, but prefer to think that the women who enter these pageants are simply in it to get dressed up and made-up to show off their bodies on stage.
"It is such a shame that society doesn’t recognize all the other intrinsic things they get from the process like becoming self aware, gaining more confidence, self-esteem and networking often with people who could change their world. So many entrants to the pageants have gone on to do great things for themselves and the countries they represent!”
Testimony to this is in observing Laronde-West's own career to date. In addition to being a wife and mother of two, Laronde-West is the senior manager of Hospitality and Communications for Angostura Limited, an active sports woman who still competes in martial arts, she is an active mobilizer and patron of the national teams to which her children belong.
Corporate T&T is an arena where Laronde-West excels, now working with Angostura. “I was asked to join the Angostura team in 2001. Always being competitive, I strived to make the most of where I work and as I enjoy what I do, life is good. As always, there will be ups and downs, but once you do what’s right, respect others and do your job to the best of your ability, every experience will be a learning one!”
We also wondered how a beauty queen became a karate master. “I started Shotokan karate quite late in life. My exposure came after the pageant at the University of London, England. A colleague dragged me to see her class, where a Trinidadian taught. He told me to join in and at 28 or 29 years old it became a passion. I loved it and never looked back.
"Returning to Trinidad I continued with SKIFTT under Neville Mason, and from the time my boys turned five they each joined. Now they are both black belts and I am a third dan. I have competed in at least four world championships in Australia (bronze), Indonesia (bronze), Greece (4th) and USA (gold), and many others in London and the Caribbean, winning many medals and trophies. My sons have also done well over the years and both represented T&T on the national karate teams.”
What’s next for Giselle? “Retirement will be my next phase in life and I look forward to it with excitement as I have a few things in mind; including travel, the development of young people and helping my sons with their personal goals in life.” Something tells us, however, her retirement will be nothing short of excitement and new challenges.
Photography by Gary Jordan Studios
Make Up by William Tommy
Hair by Kerry Goberdhan
Styling by Peter Elias