Amata Fiakaifonu – Sista Gat Style

Feb 11, 2019 | Sista Gat Style | 0

As a third generation of Wallis and Futuna descent, Amata doesn’t forget her Polynesian roots. Proud of her culture and her body that comes with it, the Ni-Vanuatu born brown belt judoka loves dancing and wearing makeup and is a regular face in the rugby league scene. Amata encourages girls to embrace their body for what it naturally is, to have fun with makeup and to not care what anyone thinks. “We are all beautiful creatures”, she says.

#PolynesianRoots #NiVanuatuWings #EmbraceCurves #BreakingMyOwnGlassCeiling

Name:

Amata Fiakaifonu

Age:

22 years old.

Occupation:

I’m currently the Warehouse Manager of Sharper Image.

Where are you from?

I’m from Wallis & Futuna but I was born here, at Vila Central Hospital, but I’m originally from Wallis & Futuna. I consider myself more Ni-Vanuatu than as a Wallisian, but I don’t forget where I come from.

Tell us about your family?

I’m the last born of a 6 children family. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters, one who is adopted. My grand parents came to Vanuatu to work as miners at Ferrari. When Vanuatu became independent, my parents chose to stay in Vanuatu instead of going back to New Caledonia like most of the Wallisian did. So now, I’m the third generation of Wallisian that still live in Vanuatu.

What do you study?

I studied in New Caledonia for an HND of Management. Then I went to France for a Bachelor Business specialized in Management Commercial at the Ecole Superieur de Commerce de La Rochelle.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Hmmm… I don’t have much friends so when I’m not at work I’m at home with my family. My forever hobby, is of course, Tahitian Dance and I think dancing in general. I’m also passionate about make up but the sports I like are traditionally unfeminine. I used to do Judo, I’m a brown belt judoka, and since last year I’m part of Power House Women Rugby League. I’ve been influenced a lot by my father who was a great rugby player and by my elder brothers, who did judo.

What do you aspire to do in the future?

At the moment I’m really happy with what I have and also what I have achieved. Studying in France was a dream for me, and now that I accomplished that part I’m now focusing on my current job and looking forward to breaking my own glass ceiling. Of course, like many of our sistas, I also have some projects and ideas but right now, without any market research I can’t talk about it yet.

How would you describe your style?

I would say classic, nothing extra. I’m not a fashionholic but when I dress up I just make sure what I’m wearing looks good on me. That’s all.

Where do you buy your clothes from?

I was lucky to study overseas, it was an opportunity to refill my cupboard. But here in Vila, it’s really complicated to find clothes, especially for people like me so I either do some online shopping or I get my clothes from American Fashion, as it is the only shop where I can find my size.

Who influences your style?

No one actually, I’m not trying to look like those ladies in the magazines, even though sometimes I’d like to haha, I’m kidding! Well I just combine any clothes that go good together then I wear it. And if people don’t like my style, I actually don’t care.

What beauty products do you use (inc perfume)?

Well, I think I’ll be the first Sista that is not “natural” haha. Most of the sistas use natural products or don’t wear makeup at all. I have been putting on makeup since high school, I love it, and I’d rather spend money on makeup than clothes.

My everyday make up routine is: cream, foundation, compact powder, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and gloss. If I have to go out, I’ll just add, contouring, blush, highlighter, and lipstick. Of course, I make sure it looks a bit natural and not too much! I love make up but I’m not trying to look like a fake Barbie.

Any fashion advice?

Before trying to be someone, you firstly have to accept who you are. Tall, short, fat or skinny, black or white we are all beautiful creatures. For awhile, I was into that “I have to lose weight” mindset, especially when I was in high school. I did not realize that I was actually Polynesian and that I’m built to be “big”. When you constantly have people calling you “fatfat” you keep smiling but sometimes people don’t imagine how painful it can be. Then, with insight, I just accept it as for NiVan people I may be big but for Polynesians I’m normal haha.

Stylist: Irene Abbock

Photographer: Nicky Kuautonga

Hair, makeup and nails: Lotus

This article was originally published in the February edition of the Vanuatu Daily Post’s Life and Style magazine

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Amata Fiakaifonu – Sista Gat Style

#PolynesianRoots #NiVanuatuWings #EmbraceCurves #BreakingMyOwnGlassCeiling

Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Where are you from?

Tell us about your family?

What do you study?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What do you aspire to do in the future?

How would you describe your style?

Where do you buy your clothes from?

Who influences your style?

What beauty products do you use (inc perfume)?

Any fashion advice?

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Melanesian advocate criticises Pacific language strategy

Amata Fiakaifonu – Sista Gat Style

#PolynesianRoots #NiVanuatuWings #EmbraceCurves #BreakingMyOwnGlassCeiling

Name:

Age:

Occupation:

Where are you from?

Tell us about your family?

What do you study?

What do you like to do in your spare time?

What do you aspire to do in the future?

How would you describe your style?

Where do you buy your clothes from?

Who influences your style?

What beauty products do you use (inc perfume)?

Any fashion advice?

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Melanesian advocate criticises Pacific language strategy