SINGAPORE - The search for Singapore's most beautiful people has yielded its top 50 finalists.

Into its 16th year, the contestants for Female's 50 Gorgeous People 2012 come from cities as far flung as Paris, Chicago and Texas, who are based in Singapore.

This year's edition also saw more young professionals taking part, including bankers, consultants and entrepreneurs. Candidates were scouted through a street search at Raffles Place in July and an online open call that ran till end-August.

The top 25 male and 25 female contestants were unveiled in Female’s November issue as well as – for the first time – at an exhibition featuring their photographs at Wisma Atria’s Atrium from November 12 to 16.

“We’ve previously had catwalk shows prior to the finals,” says Female’s creative editor Jeanette Ejlersen. “Having a photo exhibition as a preview gives both the finalists and the event better exposure.”

This year’s winners – one male, one female – will be announced at a party at Zouk on November 30. Each stands to win $10,000 worth of prizes including luxury holiday packages, watches, fashion vouchers and fine jewellery.

The top five male and female contestants will be determined by Ms Ejlersen as well as online voting through Female50GP.com, which closes today.

The event has been a signature of Female since 1997, held with the aim of discovering new faces that best represent the magazine as Singapore’s leading fashion and beauty publication. Past winners-turned-stars include former history teacher Annabel Tan, who has since fronted an ad campaign for a major beauty house, and fledgling model Adrian Jalaludin, now a popular sports host in the region.

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