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Name

Melissa Fare

Age

20

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Occupation

I’m a part-time external aid at Port Vila International School. I look after children with special needs and help teachers look after children.

As well as studying a Bachelor of Arts and Politics at USP, I play in the cricket elite squad. I’ve only been playing cricket seriously for a year now. Hopefully if I get into the final squad, I will play in the world cup qualifier in Japan next year.

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Where are you from?

I’m part Ambrym, part Malekula. I have a younger brother and a sister.

How would you describe your style?

I love fashion but I’m not a fashionable person everyday. My style is simple and classic – not too flashy unless the occasion calls for it. Clothes are a form of expression so if I’m happy you will probably see it with what I wear.

Fashion makes me feel good and it’s important for everyone to feel good about themselves. It doesn’t matter how someone dresses, even if you think they don’t deserve respect, they do. Some boys think they are entitled to disrespect women because of how she dresses, but we need to teach boys to control their emotions instead of telling girls what to wear.

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You are a contestant for Miss Vanuatu. What do you have to say about comments suggesting that the beauty campaign is oppressive?

Miss Vanuatu is not just about looks and I know the other contestants don’t see it that way as well. If you’re representing your country, your beauty won’t speak for you and carry your country further; you have to have brains too. My dream is to be a diplomat and I see this an opportunity to represent my country and my people.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions but saying things like Miss Vanuatu makes women look like prostitutes brings us down. If we are trying to find equal rights for men and women, we can’t do that if we bring each other down.

All the girls participating gave their consent. No one forced them. It was their choice so please respect it.

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Where do you buy your clothes from?

I mostly buy my clothes from secondhand shops like Stret Price and Stanley Imports. Maybe once a year I’ll buy something expensive but I don’t necessarily spend a lot of money on clothes. You won’t see me trying to look expensive if I don’t have any money in my wallet.

Who influences your style?

There is no one in particular who influences me. I just look at people and if I like how they dress, I will try it.

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What beauty products do you use?

Anything that has coconut in it. I love Volcanic Earth and Pure Fiji products but I don’t really bother myself too much with beauty products.

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Any fashion advice?

I don’t feel comfortable telling people what to wear but if I had to give advice, I would just say wear something that feels good and is comfortable. Personally, I won’t wear an outfit if it doesn’t feel good, no matter how good it looks.

How you hold yourself can totally make a difference to your outfit. It will show if you are uncomfortable in it. So if the outfit feels good, go for it!


Clothes provided by Etam

  • PJ Jamba orange dress 5900vt
  • R Clyde blue dress 7900vt

Jewelry provided by Cargo Traders

  • Blue bracelet 900vt each
  • Blue necklace 1900vt
  • Black and white anklet 1000vt each
  • Hoop earrings 800vt
  • Long necklaces used as ornamental belt 2500vt

Black bikini and black onesie provided by model


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

Photo credit: Lava Photography