Iris Mittenaere COVER HOS PUSHING BOUNDARIES WINTER ISSUE 2024 (PRE ORDER)

On January 30th, 2017, a 24-year-old Iris Mittenaere was crowned the most beautiful woman on earth. Her charisma, smile, wit, and confidence made her the undeniable winner of the evening. She became the second French woman in history to hold the title of Miss Universe after a hiatus of 64 years. That day, French newspapers proudly titled: La Française Iris Mittenaere remporte la couronne!

Beauty pageants play a complex role in culture and the collective imagination of a nation. They serve as representations of national identity and its beliefs. However, their strength lies in the platform they create to showcase women’s talents and amplify their voices. Beauty pageants, as we know them today, can help propel the feminist agenda by generating conversations around empowerment and inclusion.