Meet Velonika Pome’e
Velonika “Veronica” Pome’e is a rare gem, the kind of talent that graces the world once in a generation. Picture this: 2019, she bursts onto the scene, making waves not just in the fashion realm but also within the vibrant Pasifika community. Why? Because she boldly became the first Pacific Islander to grace the pages of Sports Illustrated. Talk about breaking barriers and making history!
In that moment, something magical happened. It wasn't just about fashion; it was a significant, sentimental shift. Imagine flipping through Sports Illustrated and seeing a brown-skin, plus-size Tongan girl owning the spotlight. It was as if she was handing the Pasifika community a golden ticket to embrace our greatness and reach our full potential. That paradigm shift empowered many to step into their power, telling their stories with unapologetic pride – myself included. Like countless others, I flocked to her social media (@veronicapomee), hungry for more.
Fast forward to today, and Veronica’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular. From strutting her stuff on various runways to using her platform as a megaphone for the Pasifika community – she's been a force of nature. As a stylist, I always harbored this secret dream of working with her. Lo and behold, destiny smiled on me in July 2023 when Pome’e graced the Utah Pacific Fashion show in Salt Lake City.
With just a few days to prepare for the photo shoot, the mission was simple – mix and match, and capture the magic. Armed with a few curated pieces and the talented photographer extraordinaire and friend, Miko Eastwood (@mikoeastphoto), we hit the streets of Salt Lake City. Street by street, outfit after outfit, we danced through the city, turning creative sparks into stunning shots.
The versatility we captured in that short span is mind-blowing. Picture this: strolling down the street, letting creativity flow, and capturing the essence of Veronica in every click. We created a playground of possibilities, a space where exploration and trying new things were the keys to success.
These photos are just a sneak peek into the magnificence that is Veronica Pome’e. I beam with pride calling her a friend, always on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in her extraordinary journey because she truly is an IT GIRL. Stay tuned for the magic that Veronica will undoubtedly conjure up next because you’ll definitely being seeing more projects in the future.
