Up Close … with Mariette Dine, Environmental Science student at UniSey and young model with Coral Model agency |04 April 2017

‘Pick yourself up and move on no matter what life throws at you’

Mariette Dine is a young lady with a passion for the environment and modelling. Last year, she represented Seychelles at the Top Model of the World pageant where she was ranked 18th among 41 girls.

In our Up Close column this week, Mariette talks about her childhood memories, professional life and family and friends.

As a child, she was very shy, insecure and had very low self-esteem, but with the help of her mother Marie-Alise Dine, aunt Noella and other family members she managed to turn into a strong and independent lady.

Childhood memories

Only 25 years old, Mariette was born on August 10, 1991, the eldest of five children and was brought up by a single mother with the help and support of her dear family.

Her other brothers and sisters are Bertrand (14), Jean-Luc (19), Martin (21) and (23).

She attended Anse Aux Pins primary school, and then continued her secondary education at Pointe Larue, followed by post-secondary studies at the School of Advanced Level Studies (Sals).  She is currently studying for her BSC in Environmental Science at the University of Seychelles (UniSey).

“My siblings and I have always been surrounded by love. Growing up was all about finding myself, as do all teenagers. Life seemed to be filled with interesting choices and I was always inspired by others’ passion which led me to search for mine,” she said.

But growing up was not so easy for Mariette; she was very insecure about herself.

“I believe that I have been able to turn into the person I willed myself to be, to be strong and independent like I was taught to be, thanks to several key people in my life such as my mother, aunt Noella and family.”

Career choices

From a very young age, Mariette had been thinking a lot about her future career. She was always undecisive about which career path to follow. At one point she wanted to be a professional dancer, and then she wanted to be an artist like her cousin Marsha Dine, who is now a professional photographer. She also wanted to be a singer like her aunt Celine Dine.

“I chose to be an environmentalist because I felt passionate about the environment through the Plant Conservation Action group (PCA), which in turn opened doors and allowed me to gain exposure and had the chance to work with different organisations such as the Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF) at the Vallée de Mai,” she said.

Parallel to her studies at UniSey, she is also currently undertaking a modelling career with Coral Model agency. She met the owner of Coral Model, Joelle Fabre, through her goddaughter Lorraine Dalpez, and was asked to join the agency. Since then she has been tutored and trained by her agent on how to be a model and also the importance of taking care of one’s health and to respect herself.

“I never thought that I could be a model although I had the height, because I had very low self-esteem. But after meeting Joelle I learned to value and love myself more and that modelling had more to it than just looks and it also taught me the true meaning of beauty; it’s what you have on the inside that shines through to the outside,” she said.

Throughout her modelling career Mariette has had an amazing adventure, which allowed her to meet interesting and talented people who are also passionate about what they do.

“So far I’ve had the privilege to work with fashion designer Alfadie for the FetAfrik night of 2014, and other mini fashion shows such as the Hair Show at Savoy with Wella group which took place in November last year. The biggest achievement was being able to represent Seychelles at the Top Model of the World pageant where I managed to be ranked 18th among 41 girls,” she said.

Social life

Surely, Mariette is not all about work, so I decided to find out more about her social life. Can she balance work and her social life?

“I like relaxing with family, and studying mostly. I do allow myself to go out with friends once in a while, and I take part in activities organised by UniSey, especially Eco-Academia.

I am also part of the student union committee, working closely with our new elected president Arnaud Henriette. So learning to balance social life with work or school is an acquired time management skill that has to be practiced and mastered,” she said.

Family and friends

Throughout her childhood, and in her education and modelling career, Mariette has had her friends and family supporting her along the way, giving her all the help she needs to succeed.

“I have an extended family, who all have strong characters and each passionate about different things be it agriculture, music, art and carpentry, with my grandmother being the heart and soul of our family.

They inspire me to do what I feel passionate about and have taught me that hard work will get you a long way,” Mariette said.

She also has many close friends from kindergarten days who are still around to support her.

“My closest friends go way back since kindergarten (crèche) days, and we are still very close up to this day. Even if we have all gone our own ways, we always keep in touch and make sure to meet up at least every year. I am always open to new friendships and meeting new people,” she adds.

Final thoughts

“Youths of today are quite expressive and are not afraid to voice out concerns, and are quick to follow trends. I feel that we all as youth are filled with untapped potential which we are not exploiting to its fullest.”

On a parting note, Mariette says: “Always be true to yourself and always pick yourself up, dust yourself and keep on moving no matter what life throws at you.”

By U-Roy Jules