Miss Italia
National beauty pageant competition in Italy
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Key Takeaways
- Miss Italia is a beauty pageant awarding prizes every year to young, female contestants from Italy.
- History Early history and beginnings (1927-1935) From 1927 to 1935, there were contests held in vein of the modern-day Miss Italia contest, with the winners often referred to as Miss Italy .
- Miss Sorriso (1939-1941) The main forerunner of Miss Italia was Miss Sorriso (Miss Smile), started in 1939 by Dino Villani and sponsored by a brand of toothpaste.
- Founding of the modern day contest (1946-present) After a break during World War II, the contest resumed in 1946 and adopted the present-day name of Miss Italia.
- The venue then changed several times before it was established that Salsomaggiore Terme would be the permanent, annual host of the pageant.
Miss Italia is a beauty pageant awarding prizes every year to young, female contestants from Italy. Since the first edition of the contest, in 1939, many of the contestants have gone on to notable careers in television and film.
History
Early history and beginnings (1927-1935)
From 1927 to 1935, there were contests held in vein of the modern-day Miss Italia contest, with the winners often referred to as Miss Italy. This is mainly to choose Italy's representatives for both the International Pageant of Pulchritude (also known as "Miss Universe") and, later on, Miss Europe.
Miss Sorriso (1939-1941)
The main forerunner of Miss Italia was Miss Sorriso (Miss Smile), started in 1939 by Dino Villani and sponsored by a brand of toothpaste. Contestants were judged by their photographs rather than competing on a runway.
Founding of the modern day contest (1946-present)
After a break during World War II, the contest resumed in 1946 and adopted the present-day name of Miss Italia. It was held in Stresa, which had managed to maintain its hotel infrastructure despite the war. The venue then changed several times before it was established that Salsomaggiore Terme would be the permanent, annual host of the pageant.
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