The lingering impacts of bullying do not go away easily. However, sometimes, it catapults growth, confidence, and strength in the person instead.
Those who know Evlyn Mani understand how her journey moulded her into the person she is today.
Growing up being teased about her dusky complexion and chubby body, Evlyn was not one to be discouraged by the taunts of other children and the comments made by adults who were unaware of the impact that their words might have on a young girl.
How the tables have turned. The now 34-year-old was recently appointed brand ambassador for FJFW x Palmolive.
The 15-year-old FJFW x Palmolive broke with the tradition of making a runway model the face of its event marketing campaign and instead gave Evlyn the title of its ambassador, a role which sends her into the community to raise awareness about Fiji’s fashion.
As such, Evelyn continues to nurture that love for self-expression and positive body awareness into adulthood.
As a communications advisor at a Suva-based regional development organisation, Evlyn’s work as FJFW brand ambassador ties in with her day job and with what she received training for when she completed her Bachelor of Arts majoring in Literature, Language and Journalism from the University of the South Pacific.
While every day her duties include communicating different aspects of public health, the skills of content writing, capturing interviews, photography, providing communications and media advice can also extend to fashion and so she’s extended it there.
“Fashion has always been a part of me and all credits go to my mother! I choose fashion and styles each day depending on how I am feeling, my comfort and also depends on what my calendar for the day looks like,” Evlyn said.
Like other fashion enthusiasts, Evlyn keeps up with global fashion trends and she translates that to suit her personality.
But her Pacific travel has led to an evolution of her fashion sense to now include influences from the different cultures and styles of Pasifika.
That fashion interest positioned her well for the new FJFW x Palmolive, says the company’s managing director Ellen Whippy-Knight.
“We welcome the very charismatic Ms Evlyn Mani whose role as brand ambassador is an important one for us because she is that personal and friendly face to promote Fiji Fashion Week and to share our news and stories to the community,” Ms Whippy-Knight said.
Evlyn takes the role seriously because while she was in the past an outsider though a regular part of all FJFW shows, she values the part she could play in the growing industry.
“Fijians have so much talent, creativity and potential. I look forward to meeting so many talented individuals and learning how we can continue to sustainably provide a platform for many. I have enjoyed following the journey of upcoming designers and witnessing them becoming established and growing their business,” she said.
“It is always about the outcomes and the success stories that we witness. We are at our 15-year mark and the journey is inspiring and will motivate many.
“I think being inspired and remaining inspired after being in a two-year lockdown/ restricted or being in a not normal situation is something that we can all learn and reflect on. We find inspiration and motivation from so many places and I think FJFW provides that platform. It’s the sustainability and capacity building aspect that allows our designers to expand, learn, grow and set themselves up as a brand. FJFW is an enabling environment for our fashion industry. The continuity of FJFW as a brand, 15 years on is quite an achievement and impressive!”
Family is critically important to Evlyn and as a child growing up, it was her mother’s influence that created her sense of self.
“I grew up with two sisters and a brother and I am the middle child. I had an adventurous childhood given that we moved to New Zealand and moved back to Fiji.
“My parents made sure we all learned how to swim, ride bicycles, read books and learn musical instruments from a young age. As a result, I try to live each day to the fullest,” Evlyn said.
While she heard negative references to her dusky complexion and size, her mother would dress Evlyn in fashionable clothing, colourful accessories and fun hairstyles, all the while creating a fun experience she would remember always.
Evlyn’s parents were originally from Lautoka. They lived in Rakiraki before moving to New Zealand, but chose Sigatoka to raise their children when they returned to Fiji.
That childhood influenced a now very energetic lifestyle that includes attending numerous fashion events, diving, snorkelling, standup paddleboarding, reading, writing, photography, playing the piano and guitar and learning the violin.
On the weekends, Evlyn is usually out running or attending boxfit.
Because she’s an early riser, she can usually catch a 10km run every weekend, but most weekends she is on the Coral Coast road with her family.
Even now, Evlyn strives to address lifestyle issues. It has become a passion to extend another project she began several years ago, / www.whereeva.com, a digital platform where she writes about lifestyle events and issues and where her Fiji Fashion opinions were launched from.
“I try to live each day to the fullest knowing that I have used my skills and knowledge to the best of my capabilities to make a positive impact or contribute to better the world around me. This included starting my own blog and being able to inspire, motivate and generate conversations and discussions,” Evlyn said.
- LICE MOVONO is a freelance journalist and independent public relations advisor
