Gracing the catwalk inside the Queenstown Memorial Hall were the 12 Wakatipu women, who all looked fabulous and stylish as they showed off their transformations to the sellout audience of 360 spectators.
"It was great to see the ladies up on the catwalk showing off all of their hard work," festival director Simon Green said yesterday.
"They've been put to the test over the last three months and tonight has made that worthwhile for them."
Months of fitness training, nutritional advice, styling assistance, deportment training, hair and makeup saw the ladies hit the stage full of confidence and looking lovely, Mr Green said.
While all of the women put in a tremendous amount of effort during the lifestyle makeover challenge, the award for the "greatest transformation" went to Mandy Gardiner, of Queenstown.
"The journey our ladies go on is more than just physical, and part of the transformation is how the ladies feel coming out of the programme," Maree Cross, of Decode, said.
"While Mandy definitely looks amazing, she is also a new woman, confident and comfortable in her own skin, and this typifies what the challenge is all about."
Wakatipu High School teacher Megan Ide was named "most dedicated" competitor, and the award for "best overall attitude" was shared by Public Health South staff member Jodi Yelland, of Wanaka, and Rachael Long, of Lakes District Hospital.
Funktional Fitness trainer Richie Lambert said: "This year's group of women have absolutely blown us away with their dedication and commitment over the past three months, and last night was a very special evening for everyone who got to witness their amazing reveals on the catwalk.
"They are all winners and we look forward to watching their continuing achievements in the future."
