Model Citizen

Gamea
Dina

June 29, 2025

Gamea Dina is a TS favourite, a long term soul-model for the publisher, who was once a muse for her mother, renowned French-Pacific photographer, the late Isabelle Meslet-Dina.

From her parents, Gamea is half Indigenous Fijian and half white French. She currently resides in Paris, France and although Gamea has grown up between France and Fiji, with stints residing in Australia, she considers Fiji home. A global mermade.

Photographed by Dusk Devi Vision

1. 5 songs that are your current mood?

‘Island in The Sun’ by Gamper & Dadoni feat.Conor Byrne / ‘She Knows’ by J. Cole feat. Amber Coffman & Cults / ‘Disfruto’ by Carla Morrison / ‘You Were Right’ by Rüfüs Du Sol / ‘Thin Floors and Tall Ceilings’ by Odesza

2. You’re one of our favourite models, representing the Pacific and Europe and a face for Australia too! Who are some of your favourite global models?
Oh that’s lovely to know, you [Dusk] are my favourite photographer!

Some of my favourite global models that I really follow are Adriana Lima, Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid, her sister Bella Hadid and Ashley Graham.

3. What makes a model good? What makes a model special?
For me, a good model is someone who can execute the emotions required through a photo, or from a runway. What makes a model special, other than their physical features, is someone who is teachable so, it’s personality too.

4. Runway or photoshoot? Why?
Oh this is hard, I love doing both but I choose… photoshoot!

Just because my mother is the one who first photographed me, I love how you can relive a moment back in time and feel the emotions through a photo, so yes, photoshoots.

5. Share a favourite runway moment.

I remember having this lovely moment at Pacific Runway in Sydney at Carriageworks back in 2019.

I was walking for Mena Design, a top Samoan fashion label, I was wearing a 3-piece set [orange crop-top with a black and yellow capri pants and light-duster coat], printed with Samoan motifs.

As I walked to the end of the runway to pose in front of the media riser, where all the photographers and cameramen were, I remember grabbing both sides of the coat and telling myself, I have to find Dusk* and make it look great! I found Dusk, posed and swirled the coat around me to make it come alive! I had so much fun doing it.

[*Dusk Devi was the official photographer and media liaison for the iconic Pacific Runway 2012-2022.]

6. What goes through your mind when striding down a runway?
Break a leg! It depends. I tell myself to just have fun with it, but if I really wanted to feel confident and sexy down a runway, I say to myself, “be delusional”! I imagine myself either having wings or having a crown on my head.

7. What makes you the awesome model you are?Well I know always humbly represent my country and the culture in Fiji. It means a lot to me to see such a small nation coming up and showcasing all those talented artists [in fashion and media]. I also have great role models like my mother and Dusk who taught me about the industry.

8. What is your personal style signature / your favourite look?

My personal style signature would be like a mixture of street-style and classic elegance. So, maybe a high-waisted black pair of jeans with sneakers, a basic white or black cotton V-neck slim t-shirt and a classic button-up coat.

Don’t forget the accessories. For me, sunglasses, jewellery, always gold coloured, and a cute shoulder-bag.

9. How are you different now to when you started modelling?
I’m not as shy as I used to be and if I get to do a photoshoot today, I’m more fluid when posing.

Back when I started modelling, I didn’t really know how to use my body and I didn’t know my best angles either in front of a camera.

[Ed’s notes – please see Publisher’s Log for why I feel models get better as they get older.]

10. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done (so far)?

A photoshoot with Dusk on a beach in Sydney, in January 2019 on a day that felt 50°C! With maman [Gamea’s mother, Isabelle] looking on.

We did two shoots. The first one was a campaign shoot for a Vanuatu luxury perfume brand called “Eau des Îles”.

The 2nd shoot was for Dusk’s exhibition* and required me to be lying on rocks naked. In broad daylight. On a semi busy beach [but no one cared and we were discreet].

*Was meant for 2020, rescheduled because of a little pandemic…

11. What keeps you centred, whether it be on a runway or every day?
There’s a couple of things I do such as meditation, yoga, positive affirmations, nature walks or going to the gym. I try to feed my body with whole foods because when you eat well you feel good.
I’m humain I have bad days too but I always try to be grateful for what I have and where I am in life.