A prison worker from Bristol is set to represent the city in a national pageant this weekend.
Twenty-eight-year-old Alina Gaitan may have recently passed her exams to become a prison officer, but this weekend she'll be leaving behind her day job for the rather more glamorous world of the Miss Inspiration 2019 pageant in Cwmbran, Wales.
Originally from Romania, Alina has worked for the civil service as a support worker in a Bristol prisons for more than two years, but has always been interested in art, beauty, and fashion.
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She won the semi-final round of the pageant to become Miss Bristol Inspiration 2019 in March, and will represent Bristol on a national stage over the next few days at the finals.
Alina said: "As a girl I did similar competitions, and as I've been heading towards my 30th birthday I've been thinking about what I could do to help other people and also do something that's totally different from my day-to-day life.
"I spend all day in boots and trousers, so to get the space to think creatively and dress in such a feminine way is quite unusual and something I really enjoy.
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"The fact that the competition isn't just based on beauty really appealed to me, obviously you have to be well-presented but it's about so much more than that - it's about giving something back and campaigning for a good cause."
An economics graduate, Alina speaks seven languages - Romanian, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Moldovan (which is very similar to her native Romanian) - and decided a several years ago to enter the prison service, following in the footsteps of her father who is a prison officer himself.
She said: "I was thinking about what I could do - I really wanted to work in a job where I could help people and try to make a difference in their lives.
"I speak quite a few languages which really helps in this job, as it means I can communicate with a lot of different people and try to translate where I can.
"I also think it makes it easier for some people in prison to relate to me, because they can see you have something in common.
"In my job you have to be quite tough and practical, but you also have to have a lot of empathy for others.
"Though prisons and pageants are completely different worlds, there are certain skills and traits that are useful to both."
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As well as making sure her outfits, make-up, and hairstyles fit the bill, Alina has been working to raise hundreds for good causes, build positive relationships with her fellow competitors, and prove herself as a good role model.
She said: "I want to show that there are so many ways you can be beautiful - it's not just about how you look. I have struggled with my body image in the past, and I know that this is something that affects so many other women.
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"To be a part of a competition like this, that celebrates every aspect of what it means to be the best you can be, is really liberating. I want to be able to help people who have problems with confidence and show that taking part in a pageant isn't limited to just one type of person.
"I believe in working hard and really fighting for what you want, and if I can inspire just one person to do the same I will be happy."
