Sarahléna Manise, Miss Namur contestant: “Behind the rain, there’s always sunshine”
Portraits Bullied at school, she went through eating disorders before regaining her confidence. Aged 18, a nursing student and Miss Namur contestant,…
Portrait · Bertrix, Province of Luxembourg
Laura
A law student, she was crowned Miss Luxembourg 2020 and Miss Public in August 2019, then finished 4th runner-up in Miss Belgique 2020. What she takes away from it: self-confidence.
Text The info-shooting editorial team
Photos Angel Bena · Kevin Swijsen · Miss Belgium
Based on articles published by info-lux.com in 2019 and 2020
Laura Vanquaillie is 20 when she introduces herself to info-lux.com readers in September 2019. A law student who has lived in Bertrix for several years, she has just been crowned Miss Luxembourg 2020.
She loves her adopted province for “its splendid, soothing countryside and its welcoming, endearing people”.
Law, drawing, three languages
What draws me to law is its ability to explain and reveal how every act we perform, however trivial, can have a significant impact on our lives and on society.
Laura, September 2019
She speaks French, Dutch and English. She has loved drawing since she was little: in 2011, she won a drawing competition run by CEDICOW, the Centre for Diversity and Cohesion in Wallonia, on the theme “Say no to racism”.
Overcoming shyness
For her, Miss Belgique is above all a challenge. The adventure pushes her beyond her limits: overcoming her shyness, feeling at ease in front of an audience and a jury, and speaking in front of a crowd.
Each time, all of this shaped me a little more for what came next and helped me gain self-confidence, and that's what I find beautiful about this adventure.
Laura, September 2019
On 25 August 2019, she is crowned Miss Luxembourg 2020, and Miss Public too. A moment she describes as “memorable and magical”.
Wearing the crown of the Province of Luxembourg is an honour for me.
Laura Vanquaillie, September 2019
A cause: bullying
With her title, she wants to champion a cause close to her heart: bullying at school and on social media. Her idea is to visit schools and meet young people, to tell them how important it is to dare to speak up.
Every day we see how much damage unkindness can do. That’s why I’ve always made a point of spreading as much kindness as I can around me, because seeing a simple smile on someone’s face is one of the most beautiful gifts there is.
Laura, September 2019
Two sponsors back her: Design Stone, a marble works in Libramont, and l’Arch, an architecture studio in Bertrix. Next step, in September 2019: the Miss Belgique national preselection, on 18 September.
4th runner-up, Miss Belgique 2020
In January 2020, the adventure that began in April 2019 comes to an end: Laura Vanquaillie is runner-up no. 4 at Miss Belgique 2020. She thanks her sponsors, friends, family and her town of Bertrix, “which I am so proud to belong to”.
On a human level, I gained far more than a crown or a car… What I gained isn't material but human: self-confidence, the courage to overcome and a sense of achievement, and I'll keep that for the rest of my life!
Laura Vanquaillie, January 2020
Of all her titles, Miss Luxembourg remains the one closest to her heart. She signs off with a line she attributes to Oscar Wilde: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars.”
Laura in the media
The provincial pageant, then Miss Belgique: her two pieces published by info-lux.com.
· info-lux.com
Laura Vanquaillie: Miss Luxembourg 2020
Crowned on 25 August 2019, she introduces herself ahead of the national pre-selection. Photos by Angel Bena and Kevin Swijsen.
· info-lux.com
Laura Vanquaillie: Miss Belgique 4th runner-up thanks you
Her look back on the Miss Belgique 2020 adventure.
Laura’s gallery
Tap or click a photo to open it full size, then scroll through with the arrows, the keyboard or by swiping.
2019 · Miss Luxembourg, by Angel Bena
2019 · Her campaign card
January 2020 · Miss Belgique
Model profile: Laura on info-shooting. To propose a photo shoot or casting, write to the editorial team, who will pass it on.
Photographers: Angel Bena’s portfolio and Kevin Swijsen’s.
On info-lux.com (in French): Laura Vanquaillie: Miss Luxembourg 2020 (September 2019) and her message as 4th runner-up (January 2020).
Sources: texts by Laura Vanquaillie published by info-lux.com on 13 September 2019 and 15 January 2020. Each photo is credited in its caption.
