Andrea Toka – Sista Gat Style

One look at Andrea Toka’s smile and you can tell she is the real deal – a genuine, happy-go-lucky island girl who loves her family and is focused on her studies. We celebrated this Vanuatu sweetheart at Le Lagoon Resort and although it took a while for her to come out of her shell, when she finally did, her potential to shine was limitless.

andrea-toka-vanuatu-girl

Name

Andrea Toka

Age

19

Where are you from?

I am from Ambae. Well, my father is from Ambae and my mother is from Ambae but she is also part Tongoa. I have five siblings. In total there are three girls and three boys in the family and I am the second eldest. We are quite a big family but that’s what makes it more fun because the house is always noisy and there is always someone to annoy haha.

andrea-toka-vanuatu-girl

What do you aspire to do in the future?

I would like to complete my studies and further my career in Public Relations. After that, I’ll see how I can build my future from there. Ideally I would like to start any small business that would help my family or have a business that will give back to help my community and people in Vanuatu.

andrea-toka-vanuatu-girl

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m either on my phone, listening to music, hanging out with my friends, spending time with my family or eating of course haha.

Mostly I am just at home babysitting my younger siblings and baking chocolate cakes since I’m madly in love with chocolates haha. I like to bake and cook.

I also like to play sports. I’ve been playing netball and basketball since I was in primary school and I continue to play now.

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What do you study?

I am currently studying Media and Journalism at VIT (Vanuatu Institute of Technology). I am in my first year and there are two years left to complete my course. I can’t wait to finish and see what the future holds.

How would you describe your style?

To be honest, I don’t know how to describe my style. What I wear depends on the weather and I like it bright, plain and simple. I’m either in skinny jeans with T-shirts, shorts and T-shirts or a top if it’s really hot. I hardly wear dresses, it’s mostly a one off for special occasions.

I like fashion because the way a person dresses says alot about him or her as a person. I wonder what mood they’re in and it makes me curious to know who they are, hehe.

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Where do you buy your clothes from?

I mostly buy my clothes from the secondhand shops such as JCK, STANLEY IMPORTS, STRET PRICE. Every time I come across a second hand shop, I want to try on some clothes. I just feel like I want to explore something different and see how it looks on me and if I’m comfortable with that style.

andrea-toka-vanuatu-girl

Who influences your style?

I guess it’s my younger sister and brother haha, it’s the “t-shirts and shorts look all day every day”. They are both pretty straight forward about what I look good in or not and I pick whatever suits me for the day or occasion but nothing fancy.

andrea-toka-vanuatu-girl

What beauty products do you use?

The only beauty products I use would be eyeliner and mascara. Even then, I only occasionally wear make up and mostly if it’s for a special event.

andrea-toka-vanuatu-girl

Any fashion advice?

Wear what makes you comfortable and defines who you are as a person. Don’t try to fit in with the crowd and be someone you are not. Whether it is bright colours or dull colours, it’s your choice, just wear it with pride, be happy and celebrate the person you are.


Photography: Nicky Kuautonga

Hair, makeup and nails: Body and Soul

Assistant stylists: Patricia Rakau and Gilbert Mermer


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

 

1 Comment

  1. LALA

    Looks and the Likes are breath taking!

    Reply

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  • 1,816 sign petition as effort to end political instability

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  • Ni-Vanuatu Women’s voices echo far at 3rd regional Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue

    Mrs. Rose Jimmy (left) and Mrs. Leisavi Joel during their Talanoa session yesterday. Photo: VFD Representatives from community groups and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from across the region, gathered in Nouméa to take part in the 3rd regional Community-Based Fisheries Dialogue on November 14-15, 2023. This occurred as part the 6th Regional Technical Meeting on Coastal Fisheries and Aquaculture (RTMCFA), hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC). The dialogue provides a space for communities from across the region to share their views on issues relating to their coastal fisheries. During the second day of this meeting, Mrs. Leisavi Joel and Mrs. Rose Jimmy from the Havana Tasivanua Environment and Climate Action Network held a ‘Talanoa’ (shared their experience) session in front of an audience of over 100 participants from the Pacific. Mrs. Joel and Mrs. Jimmy were part of a special session organised by SPC and the University of Wollongong that discussed the importance of including voices from women alongside men in Community-Based Fisheries Management (CBFM). The growing collaboration between the Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD) and Vanua-Tai Resource Monitors Network was critical to making their participation possible. Following a panel of four speakers from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia, Mrs. Joel shared, with passion and emotion, her personal experience and journey as a woman representative from her community working on sustainable fisheries management. “It is hard work for a woman to be actively involved in a male dominated area in the community, when it comes down to decision-making in our community, at the end of the day we have to look at the chief for his support,” she said. In regard to getting recognition from the community leaders, she added, “Sometimes the chief just sees us as a sister, aunty, mother or grandmother and nothing more, even though I am involved actively with our coastal and environmental activities inside the community.” Mrs. Joel and Mrs. Jimmy are the first women to hold a ‘Talanoa’ session during such a regional meeting and were widely appreciated. The session has demonstrated its value as a way to bring community voices to the regional leaders in coastal fisheries. The duo continued to actively participate during the 2-day discussion and want their experiences to set an example for other women in Vanuatu to become active members of CBFM committees in their community, with the support of men leaders. ________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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  • 174 seasonal workers blacklisted

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