Following the crowning of Miss Universe on May 16th, more than 14 of the participating “Queens” will head to Wynwood for a rare photoshoot and event celebrating Diversity, Unity and Community Empowerment.

The day kicks off with a photoshoot in the Wynwood Art District, where the contestants will be adorned in jewelry designed by Charlie Lapson, the official jeweler for numerous Miss Universe participants during the pageant May 6 – 16 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “I am so honored to contribute to an event that celebrates the diversity of cultures from throughout the world, and for my jewelry to help these women shine.”

Lapson will donate his jewelry worn during the pageant as well as in the photoshoot, to be auctioned off with proceeds to benefit Murals for Humanity, South Florida Puerto Rico Chamber, Borinquen Medical Centers and Ride2Revive, Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, and Primary Medical Centers.

The photoshoot will be followed by a private VIP reception sponsored by Prestige Imports in the Design District, where media and invited guests may mingle with the Miss Universe queens and designer Charlie Lapson. Media will have the opportunity to interview and/or photograph at the reception.

The Miss Universe Pageant represents one aspect of a “return to normal” following a year filled with challenges, and the eyes of the world will be on South Florida via television, satellite and on the internet. This will be a great moment of unity and empowerment for these delegates, as well as the global audience watching these talented and beautiful women.

For the Miss Universe contestants, the Pageant is the culmination of years of hard work, and each one aspires to take home the coveted title as a symbol of pride and hope for their country. Through his sparkling jewels, carefully chosen for each Queen, Charlie Lapson wants to honor these courageous delegates with a memorable day of celebration and empowerment as they are celebrated in Wynwood, the epicenter of creativity and arts.

Special thanks to Susana Baker of the Art Experience for coordinating this historic Miami event for Charlie Lapson and the Queens; “I felt honored to be part of this historic opportunity and knew my friends at Prestige Imports and Kobi Karp Architecture and Design would not hesitate to make this day possible, especially since our philosophy is: “you don’t live if you don’t give”. This day represents giving back to our community and local non-profits. Without even a question or second thought, we all knew we had to support the cause!

About Charlie Lapson
In addition to his role as official jewelry designer for many of the Miss Universe contestants, Charlie Lapson is a contributing jeweler for The Bachelorette and is the Jeweler and Accessories Designer for Univision’s Mira Quién Baila (the Latin version of Dancing With the Stars). Lapson’s fashion and accessories have been sought out by some of the most recognizable personalities, including Hollywood icons Jennifer Anniston, Eva Longoria, Usher, Brad Pitt, Sarah Jessica Parker, Will Smith, Justin Timberlake, Paula Abdul and Halle Berry. He has a long list of famous Latin entertainers who have worn his designs on the red carpet, on stage, and on-camera including Jennifer Lopez, Thalia, Victor Manuelle, Gaby Espino, Angelica Maria, Ricky Martin and Ninel Conde to name a few.

Through his involvement with such high profile shows as the Academy Awards, Emmys, Grammys, Premios Lo Nuestro, NAACP Image Awards and Dancing with the Stars, Charlie has captured the art of merging masterful design with individual personality to become one of the most requested consultants in the entertainment and fashion industries.

Participating Countries and Miss Universe Queens:

Argentina Alina Luz Akselrad

Armenia Monika Grigoryan

Belize Iris Salguero

Brazil Julia Gama

Canada Nova Stevens

Chile Daniela Nicolas

Ghana Chelsea Tayui

Haiti Eden Berandoive

Honduras Celecial Rossell

Iceland Elisabet Hulda Snorradóttir

Ireland Nadia Sayers

Italy Viviana Vizzini

Laos Christina Lasasimma

Mauritius Vandana Jeetah

Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo

Puerto Rico Estefania Soto Torres

About the Grass Roots Organizations and non-profit charities:

Ride2Revive is committed to empowering terminally ill children by filling a dream to share their world of exotic supercars, this unique altruistic organization provides children, who are undergoing medical treatment for life-threatening illnesses, with unforgettable adrenaline-filled experiences, meant to distract the child from their health-related struggles. Ride2Survive also donates to medical causes and advancements in treatment for the cause to find the cure for these terminal diseases.

Borinquen Medical Centers Borinquen Medical Centers began in 1972 as a grass-roots community effort from a group of community organizers in the Puerto Rican community with a small grant from the Public Health Service to establish a health clinic in Wynwood.

Over the years Borinquen Medical Centers have grown to become a Comprehensive Primary Health Care, Dental and Behavioral Health Center serving Miami-Dade County, providing a comprehensive range of health and social services to our culturally diverse community.

South Florida Chamber of Commerce The Chamber was founded with the goals of advancing the interests of the Puerto Rican community of South Florida, and promoting increased trade and commerce between the markets of South Florida and Puerto Rico. We pursue these objectives through networking meetings, Business Card Exchange events, Business Forums, and a full-time office. We are pleased that our Chamber’s friends and membership reflect the various groups which constitute our ethnically diverse and culturally rich community. The Chamber works closely with Miami-Dade County’s various economic, business and community development departments. For many years, we have been providing business technical assistance to the small business community and creating jobs on behalf of the County.

Murals for Humanity was created to empower youth art programs at local public schools in urban communities. Murals for Humanity is an ongoing project that has expanded to empower local charities, local urban artists, that has expanded to empower charities, local urban artists, and the arts with 100 percent of the funds supporting underserved student art programs. From art appreciation at a signature gala with live painting by local artists where attendees bid on the art and all funds going to inner-city art programs, to our signature program of bringing urban legends to paint the hallways and the facade of their public school to empower creativity and urban arts, which rewards these youth and their families with great inspirational art to look at every day!

Haitian American Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in 2005 and serves as the advocate for the community as well as a resource for consumers and businesses dedicated to serving both the needs of our members and the economic development needs of the broader Haitian Community.

Haitian American Chamber of Commerce Foundation In 2018 the Chamber created a foundation by raising additional and much-needed funding for the Chamber’s key value-added programs that serve the larger community. All contributions are tax-deductible.

Primary Medical Centers The Medical Center focuses on delivering excellent medical care and health services in the underserved communities of Miami. Getting the best medical care for their patients is Primary Medical Center’s number one priority. Prinston Jean-Glaude is the CEO and Co-owner of Primary Medical Care Centers, which are now three community clinics, operating in Miami-Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach counties. Along with his wife, Edwige, they also own and operate two home health agencies located in Miami Lakes and Miramar, Florida.

Special Thanks to our award-winning team of photographers who all have graciously donated their time to make this day memorable for our community and Mr. Lapson and the Miss Universe Queens:

Armando Colls Cuban-born and self-taught photographer Colls rapidly gained notoriety. Colls Fine Art Photography took off, and since, Colls boasts numerous awards for his captivating photography that is as crisp as it is stunning. Many of Colls’ pieces can be found at prominent establishments throughout South Florida.

C.W. Griffin from Iris Photo Collective, Griffin is a retired photojournalist who worked at The MiamiHerald for 31 years. Griffin also taught as an adjunct at the University of Miami for more than ten years. He is the recipient of numerous awards. Time. He was represented in the book and exhibit ‘Contemporary Black Photographers’, ‘Songs of My People’, ‘Big Picture’ ‘Dressed’, ‘Urban Tranquility’, Havana/Haiti and a book of his photos that

opened Miami’s Centennial Celebration at the International Book Fair.

Tomas Kramer international photographer and author of Burning Man (16 years photographer of the event) and Visual Evolution of Wynwood. Kramer is an award-winning photographer and recognized for his edging and fashion out-of-the-box angles and compositions.

Special Thanks to our contributing sponsors:

Prestige Imports
Brett David, automotive industry expert, real estate visionary, and co-founder of the non-profit Ride2Revive, has achieved an incredible amount in his nearly 14 years as the CEO/Owner of Prestige Imports. His automotive passion, at just 33 years old, combined with his charisma and hard work has paved the way for the future of Prestige Imports. David was thrust into the industry at the young age of 19, after the sudden passing of his father. Prestige Imports was established in 1977 by Irv David, who left behind far more than just a business, but also a legacy embodying the importance of family, philanthropy, and service to the community. David, alongside his team, has grown the Prestige Imports name to a globally recognized brand. The Prestige Imports campus, located in North Miami Beach, now includes Prestige 2.0, the largest supercar and hypercar showroom in North America, home to Pagani Miami, Lotus Miami, and Karma Miami. We thank Prestige and the David Family for providing exotic cars and Lamborghinis to make this day extra special for these beautiful Queens.

Kobi Karp Architecture and Design, LLC
Kobi Karp is globally recognized among the best sustainable architecture design firms. With new offices in the epicenter of Wynwood, we are so grateful to Kobi Karp to give us his backyard as the creative background for this historic photoshoot.