Phnom Penh has just recovered from its first tumultuous international fashion week, but the beautiful people were again strutting down the catwalk last Friday, at the Khmer Super Model Circle 3 contest, organised by BKA Entertainment.

After four hours of primping and posing at Naga World, judges selected the winners, who will get to sign on with BKA and model for the competition’s sponsors. The contestants were judged on a combination of beauty, talent, and personality.

More than 2,000 people applied to compete in the contest, which surprised BKA managing director Bunkert Ang An Nuay Siri.

“We praise the young Cambodian participants because they prepared themselves well before they entered the competition,” he said.

Taking first place in the female contest was 18-year-old Ly Monithanich. Runner up was Horn Sereysophea and third place was Lam Kim Chann Sophy.

In the men’s comp, 23-year-old Rom Phearen won gold, Phalpov Viroth the silver, and Heng Yaro the bronze.

“The contest was designed to promote Cambodian designers who make traditional silk clothing as well as modern clothing,” said Bunkert Ang An Nuay Siri.

The models will also walk the runway in the Phnom Penh Fashion Week in early 2012, also organised by BKA Entertainment.