"A woman who has confidence can do everything she sets her mind to": Miss Seychelles 2014 Contestant Fiorella Cedras

Fiorella Cedras, Miss Seychelles 2014 Contestant Number 1 (Seychelles Tourism Board)

(Seychelles News Agency) - A young Seychellois lady will be chosen next weekend to represent the Indian Ocean archipelago at the 64th Miss World Pageant in London in November this year.

Twelve contestants will take to the catwalk on Saturday May 31 in the Miss Seychelles......Another World 2014 Beauty pageant that will see the crowning of a Seychelles beauty queen.

SNA will give its readers the chance to know more about the 12 contestants as of today.

Fiorella Cedras is Contestant Number 1:

With an ideal height of 1m 73 ideal for modelling, Fiorella Cedras, is inspired by Sherlyn Furneau who took home the Miss Seychelles........Another World title in 2012 when the beauty Pageant was re-launched after 4 year’s absence from the Seychelles’ calendar of events.

“I think she is a perfect role model who has put into practice everything that she learned during her reign as Miss Seychelles and I aspire to be inspirational as well,” Cedras told SNA.

The 23-year-old who comes from the second most populated island of Praslin says she is proud of the beauty of the Seychelles islands especially Aride which is described as perhaps the most unspoiled of all the islands, situated 10km north of her native island. Cedras who is all for environment protection especially when it comes to the archipelago’s endemic bird species shared her experience working on Aride.

"By supporting the environment, I am protecting our endemic birds, by refusing to allow them to be harmed."

Fiorella's Interest

Apart from exploring nature; Cedras equally enjoys cooking, fishing and nail design.

“I’m a freelance manicurist and I do my own nail art. I also do other people’s nails for special occasions,” she says adding that she will be doing her own nails while the other contestants have got their manicure and pedicure appointments booked for pageant night.

While presently employed as a bank clerk the Miss Seychelles contestant’s dream is to become a professional photographer, aiming to undertake a photography course before she can start what she describes as “my small family.”

While she feels it is not important to follow trend, Cedras says being fashionable is essential adding that she loves to “mix and match (something old with something new)” noting that for her a person's style is important as it helps portray who she/he is.”

SNA: Rate in order of priority, 3 qualities you think a woman should possess.

FC: “Confidence, hygiene and femininity.”

SNA: Why?

FC: “A woman who has confidence and who believes in herself can do everything that she sets her mind to. I’ve been in situations where I failed myself because of a lack of confidence but I have learnt from that and now I know that if I say to myself "You can do it", I will do it. Taking part in the Miss Seychelles beauty pageant made me realize that I am confident. For hygiene…this goes without saying. As for your femininity, it is what distinguishes you as a woman! I love it when I step out of the house and see people admire my hairstyle or ask about the perfume I am wearing.”

Cedras who gets excited when travelling, especially to Europe is very conscious of her body and exercises regularly to keep fit and stay in shape.

Advice to others

‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ is a statement the young woman has believed in since her school days and which still motivates her today as she perseveres to achieve her goals in life.

Someone who never leaves the house without her lip saver, sunglasses and favourite perfume, Cedras believes in displaying the best behaviour at all times and promoting good values she believes in.

Her message for all the young women in Seychelles is “Be yourself no matter what people think about you, what matters is how you conduct yourself.”