LOOKBOOK: COCONUT FOREST

by gail mcfadden January 09, 2019

Woman with prosthetic arm posing in yellow JOLYN bikini

"I wanted to create a lookbook shoot to show our mission statement - for women who inspire us. JOLYN has long valued being a brand that is about more than making great swimsuits, we value female empowerment and living an active lifestyle. While preparing to shoot in Hawaii we knew that we wanted women who lived these core values and could show the true spirit of Aloha."

- Creative Director Mallyce Miller

“The very most rewarding thing for me in the years of doing this is the emails I receive from young children, their parents, and even older adults who are so excited to see someone out there with a disability living out their passion.”

Shaholly Ayers is no stranger to adversity. Born a congenital amputee, she was told her passion for modeling was unobtainable (lucky for us she didn’t let everyone who told her no stop her). “Do what it is you love to do, whatever that is. I think everybody is beautiful and has a voice and something unique to say.” Shaholly has taken steps to break the beauty standards and continues to be an inspiration for others. To all the young women out there now struggling too, she just wants to remind you to “not care so much what everyone thinks about you, do your own thing and be happy.”

Not only is Shaholly living her dreams but she gets to be a role model and share her success with people like her. “The very most rewarding thing for me in the years of doing this is the emails I receive from young children, their parents, and even older adults who are so excited to see someone out there with a disability living out their passion.”

woman in flower crown posing in JOLYN one-piece swimsuit

“you get to give back and you get to share what you love with other people.”

Kiana Fores grew up on the island of Kauai, she has been in the ocean surfing for as long as she can remember. "Surfing is very special and spiritual for me, it's one of those sports where you are directly in nature every time you go surfing, it's always changing. It's a beautiful thing." Kiana not only surfs, but according to the WSL, she was the first professional surfer to graduate college. She spends her free time communing with nature and volunteers with KORE, a special non-profit that helps teach physically challenged and/or special needs residents and their families how to surf. “It brings people together in a way that’s selfless and it’s really special because you get to give back and you get to share what you love with other people.”

“stay true to yourself.”

Hawaii-born Malia was raised on the ocean’s edge, she loves surfing and feels the ocean “keeps me connected to myself, it’s a place that allows me to connect to other people too, I think it’s an outlet for me to rejuvenate my soul.” She is always outdoors doing any activity she can, surfing, hiking and exploring. Her biggest piece of advice is to “stay true to yourself.” This is the core of what we all should strive for. It is easy to forget who we are in the hustle of life but if we remember to take a breath and do things for ourselves we can be the source of light for others.

his shoot was created to show just a few of the women who inspire us. Whether it is their outlook on life or personal trials they have overcome, we are so proud to have a glimpse into the life of these rad active women.