SINGAPORE - It was a night of glitz and glamour at the 2012 Elite Model Look (EML) Singapore with a T-shaped runway stage at the Hard Rock Hotel Coliseum.

Held two weeks ago, a line of 12 female finalists glided on the runway in stylish designs sponsored by designer Gnossem.

The night also saw a first for the prestigious competition as it opened its runway to male contestants.

The seven hot male finalists duly charmed the audience, grabbing the attention of the many women in the crowd.

NS man David Hong Kay Sung, 20, and Mr Berik Kazymzhanov, a 19-year-old student from Kazakhstan, swept the judges off their feet with their abs, broad shoulders and most importantly, their looks.

The two young men won a trip to either London or Milan, and they will be signed to Upfront Models Singapore.

Mr Hong told The New Paper: "I really didn't expect two male winners because it's the first time EML Singapore is having a male model category and also, there were only seven of us!"

But the two winners were far from complaining about having to share the grand prize. Rather, they were surprised at being picked as the best of the lot.

"I've been modelling for about two weeks and prior to this competition, I hadn't done any professional modelling," said Mr Hong.

Mr Kazymzhanov was slightly more confident, saying: "I hoped to hear my name because I did my best to be a winner."

Singaporean Lena Li Stewen, 16, a student, won the female category.

She will represent EML Singapore in the World EML finals in Shanghai in December.

Click on the thumbnails for the highlights of the finals, or read the full story here.

(Photos: Volkswagen/Elite Model Look, TNP)