Lisa Austin has been crowned Miss London 2026 following the capital’s regional final at The Playground Theatre on Saturday 3 October, in an evening celebrating purpose, individuality and the women representing modern London.The 2026 competition was produced under the direction of Phoebe Michaelides, Regional Director of Miss London, who oversaw the finalists’ journey and the creative development of the final, as well as hosting the live event.
Having recently experienced the Miss England competition from the other side of the stage, Michaelides brought a contestant-informed perspective to her first year directing the London region. Her vision for Miss London placed particular emphasis on substance alongside presentation: creating a polished theatrical event while giving contestants meaningful opportunities to demonstrate their character, communication skills and individual purpose.
The result was a final which brought together fashion and entertainment with a broader emphasis on what women can do with the visibility afforded by pageantry.
Lisa Austin Crowned Miss London 2026
Lisa Austin was ultimately crowned Miss London 2026 and will now progress to the Miss England Final, continuing on the official pathway towards Miss World.
Lisa is a high-fashion model and founder of Because I Can, an initiative which has already led to conversations with four BBC stations across England. With a degree in Communications and a master’s in Public Policy underway, she has sought to use her platform to translate advocacy into tangible action.
Jasmine Mattu was named First Runner-Up following a strong performance throughout the competition and will have another opportunity to continue her Miss England journey at the forthcoming semi-finals.
A number of additional awards were presented throughout the evening, recognising contestants who distinguished themselves in particular areas of the competition and ensuring that achievement across the finalist group was celebrated.
An Expert Judging Panel
The finalists were assessed by an accomplished panel spanning fashion, beauty and entertainment.
Dar, international celebrity hair designer and longstanding Miss England judge, brought more than three decades of experience working with royalty and A-list stars.
Celebrity photographer Alan Strutt brought an expert eye shaped by a 30-year international career photographing names including Madonna, Kelly Brook and Michelle Keegan.
Luxury make-up artist and beauty coach Lina Cameron, creator of Architectural Lift Makeup™, brought 23 years of beauty-industry expertise working with celebrities and royalty.
Elara House brought a fashion perspective to the panel, while also providing the finalists’ gowns and supporting them throughout their Miss London journey.
Bringing Miss London to the Stage
The production brought together an accomplished creative team selected to give the regional final a professional theatrical identity.
The show was choreographed by London theatre director and choreographer Anna Wicks, Resident Director at the John McIntosh Arts Centre. Her directing credits include Half a Sixpence, Guys and Dolls, Singin’ in the Rain, Private Peaceful and The 39 Steps, alongside work at Riverside Studios, Gray’s Inn Hall and The Other Palace Studio.
The evening’s fashion was supported by Elara House, who provided gowns for the finalists and worked with the contestants throughout their Miss London journey.
Behind the scenes, finalists were supported by the event’s hair and make-up team: @taranmalhotrauma, @constantina.maria.hmua, @beawestlake_hmua, @sophielang_hmua and @karolinad.makeup.hair.sfx.
The final was staged at The Playground Theatre in London, bringing together contestants, judges, supporters and members of the wider Miss England community.
A Platform With Purpose
For Michaelides, who has previously competed within the Miss England system herself, directing Miss London represented an opportunity to shape the kind of competition she believes contemporary pageantry should be.
Phoebe Michaelides, Regional Director of Miss London, said:
“Having recently stood on the other side of the stage as a contestant myself, it has been a privilege to now steward that experience for another group of women.
“My ambition for Miss London was to create something that felt both elevated and purposeful – a stage on which women could be recognised for their presence, certainly, but also for their intelligence, individuality and what they want to contribute.
“London is an extraordinary city precisely because there is no single definition of a London woman. Our finalists brought completely different backgrounds, ambitions and stories to the competition, and I wanted the final to reflect that.
“I am immensely proud of what they achieved. Congratulations to Lisa on becoming Miss London 2026, to Jasmine on an excellent result, and to every finalist who had the courage to step onto that stage and represent something meaningful to her.”
For Lisa Austin, the crowning marks the beginning of the next stage. As Miss London 2026, she will now represent the capital at the Miss England Final being held at the Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026 , taking her Because I Can initiative – and the purpose behind it – onto the national stage.
The Miss London competition forms part of the official pathway to Miss England and Miss World.
