Four hundred participants, 50 Gorgeous People, 10 grand finalists. It all came down to two winners who were selected at a bash at Zouk last Friday.

The event: the finals of Female's 50 Most Gorgeous People, one of the industry's most dynamic searches for individuals with the G - or gorgeous - factor.

Amid funky beats that set the tone of the party for the 700-strong crowd, Charmaine Robertson and Benjamin Pham were named Female's Most Gorgeous People 2012, each taking home $10,000 worth of prizes including luxury holiday packages, watches, fashion vouchers and fine jewellery.

Said Robertson, 28, a regional sales executive: "I was just in the mood to have fun and make the best out of it, so winning was a wonderful surprise! It has been a fabulous experience - I was over the moon with the presence of all my friends, and that took every bit of nervousness away. I certainly love all the prizes...it feels like my Christmas came early!"

Pham, 26, a business designer, said: "It was an honour just to be nominated. I had a great time participating and meeting the other contestants, who were gorgeous both inside and out.

"I also feel very fortunate to have great friends who supported me and took the time to vote. Even though I was super nervous and my time on stage was a bit of a blur, I can clearly remember seeing and hearing those who came to cheer me on."

Both winners were among the more than 400 people - hailing from as far as Chicago, Paris, Texas and Tokyo - who took part the annual competition this year.

Noted Diana Lee, general manager of lifestyle, fashion and beauty at publisher SPH Magazines: "Female has always been about engaging top names and players in fashion, design and lifestyle from all over the world. This increased interest from foreigners and professionals not only proves that we are hitting the mark, but also lets us push our vision."

Fifty applicants were shortlisted by an internal panel of judges including Female creative editor Jeanette Ejlersen to be styled and take part in a photo shoot that was published in Female's November issue.

They also had their photos showcased in an exhibition at Wisma Atria that ran from November 12 - 16 - a first for the competition. The public then voted via the website Female50GP.com to whittle that number down to 10, from which the judging panel selected the winning duo at Zouk on November 30.

The competition, which was launched in 1997, is a highlight in the Female calendar. It aims to discover new faces that best represent the magazine as Singapore's leading fashion and beauty publication.

Past winners-turned-stars include 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.