With some never-before-seen-pics!
Martina and Raine are participants of the Gel Pawa program and embody the meaning of #GelPawa. Hailing from Banks and Ambae/Pango, the girls are representing the rise of young girls who are confident in themselves and ready to claim space! We celebrate the diverse beauty of Vanuatu with our first ever high school students to feature in Sista Gat Style in this photo-shoot at Seafront and Wharf Road. #BlackGirlMagic #LightSkin #DarkSkin #Diversity #MelaninQueens #GelPawa
Name:
Martina Welegtabit and Raine Kalotiti
Age:
M: 16 years old
R: 15 years old
Where are you from?
M: Merelava, Banks
R: Ambae and Pango, Efate.
Occupation
M: Still in school
R: Student
Tell us about your family?
M: I live with both my parents. My dad’s name is Shadrack and my mum’s name is Apina. My dad works at the Prime Minister’s office and my mum is a housewife. As for my siblings, I have two brothers. One is attending Vila Central School and the other is back in the islands. Both of my parents are from Banks.
R: I come from a family of six. My mother’s name is Fiona and my father’s name is John. I have three brothers – Wayne, Shane and Caine.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
M: In my spare time I like to read books, watch movies and play sports. The latest book I have read is ‘The Mountain’s Echo’. This book is a must read. It has a strong meaning of the love between a brother and sister. My hobbies are playing netball and rowing. For my further studies, I would like to take up science.
R: I like to paint, do art, watch movies, play and photograph in my spare time.
What do you aspire to do in the future?
M: I wanted to become a vet but I can’t deal with blood and injecting animals, cutting up their skin, etc. Now I’m thinking of engineering.
R: I would like to be a doctor, part-time artist, photographer and active person.
How would you describe your style?
M: My style would be best described as from this century but also a bit old fashioned and baggy. I like fashion because it makes me feel good about myself and allows me to express who I am as a person.
R: I would best describe my style as baggy and big with twist of retro mixed with this century clothing. I like fashion because it shows other people what clothes you are comfortable in and when you stand in front of a camera, it also shows your beauty within.
Where do you buy your clothes from?
M: I buy most of my clothes from second hand clothes or overseas. Sometimes I buy locally at Billabong and Roxy.
R: I sometimes buy my clothes from Billabong, second hand shops and overseas most times.
Who influences your style?
M: My mum, brother and myself. I wear what makes me feel good and comfortable and what I think I look good in.
R: My family mostly influences my style but most of the time I like to wear clothes that suit my surrounding.
What beauty products do you use?
M: The beauty products I use is BYS which I buy from the Drug Store. I don’t normally wear makeup but on special occasions I will wear mascara, lipstick and eyeliner. For my skin and face, I use Nivea. For my hair care, I use Palmolive for shampoo and conditioning, but I generally use whatever cream is good for my hair and most of them are French products.
R: I use Coco shampoo and conditioner for my hair. I wear Nivea lipstick and cream for my skin. My favorite perfume is Elizabeth Red Dior.
Any fashion advice?
M: Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and be one of a kind and be yourself. You don’t have to look like everybody else, you can be unique and different in your own way because there is no law saying we all have to look the same!
R: For all the ladies out there, beauty is found within, you just need someone to help you find it.
Photographer: Nicky Kuautonga
Assistant stylist: Irene Abbock
Hair, makeup and nails: Body and Soul
This article was originally published in the Vanuatu Daily Post Gel Pawa special edition Life and Style magazine (August)
