Women's rights : Chhorvin Liv, A Multifaceted Life Model
- Rémi Abad
- Mar 10
- 4 min read
On the occasion of International Women's Day, your favorite magazine opens its archives and brings back to the front page the portrait of one of the magazine's top fans, the young Chhorvin Liv, a life model and muse for Soieries du Mékong.
Model, executive assistant, aspiring stylist, and young mother: with astonishing strength, Chhorvin Liv juggles all these activities. Never short on energy and guided by an unquenchable thirst for learning, the muse of Soieries du Mékong seeks new opportunities to face the surrounding economic slump.
Portrait of a multifaceted woman
"Hello, how are you?", says Chhorvin with an irresistible accent, amused by my surprise at hearing her speak French. I'm not the only one left perplexed, though for a different reason: the customers in the café where we arranged to meet can't help but stare at her. Dressed without ostentation and barely made up, the Khmer beauty draws all eyes.
In front of her mocha cup, Chhorvin immediately apologizes for not being able to continue the conversation in the language of Molière, as her lessons only started in early August. "We gathered, between French and Cambodian volunteers, to exchange knowledge. Four days a week, Cambodians teach the French, and after an hour, we switch roles. It's tough for everyone, as the two languages are quite different from each other, but we're all motivated." Very quickly, the model transforms into a studious student, reciting the names of days and months with an attentive pout, while I try to do the same with my poor linguistic baggage.
"French is a beautiful language, and it's the one I chose to give myself more professional opportunities. Plus, France is the homeland of the greatest couturiers!"
Childhood dream
This brings us back to fashion, a field that has fascinated Chhorvin since her youngest age. "I've always wanted to create my own clothing line. It's an exciting process, from the first sketches to the fitting sessions, not forgetting the tension of the runway shows." This creative momentum, Chhorvin has already experienced it many times, through personal creations or the development of test models within the social enterprise where she has worked for four years.
As a teenager, she even took a tailor's training, which seemed too short to her, lasting only six months. The constraints of life then pushed her toward more conventional studies, which she first pursued in Takhmao, then at the University of Phnom Penh, where she learned to become a banker. This fine example of success could have stopped there, with the achievement of a young girl born on the Thai border to parents who fled the civil war. It was only at 3 years old that the little girl finally discovered her country of origin. Upon returning to Kandal Province, the family settled in a rural town. Growing up, little Chhorvin, at an age when others play, lent a hand to field work and rode 14 kilometers on her bicycle every day to go to school, already driven by her thirst for success.
From Kandal Province to Kandal Village
After her studies in Phnom Penh, she managed to find a job in an export company as an executive assistant. A relief not only financial but also personal for someone who confesses to feeling no attraction for the banking world. Yet, this job struggled to satisfy her, just like life in Phnom Penh, and it wasn't until 2014 that she finally found a balance matching her aspirations.
"It was only at 25 that I discovered Siem Reap, and the place immediately seduced me. It's a city that remains human-sized, neither too small nor too dense and noisy, like Phnom Penh can be."
"You can find everything you need there, it's pleasant to walk around, and the surrounding countryside is incredibly beautiful. Not to mention the temples, which are a continual source of admiration and pride." All that was left was to find a job there, which happened the following year. She joined Samatoa and became the manager of the shop for this ethical company specializing in lotus fiber clothing. At the same time, she was spotted for her physique and offered a modeling session for a Phnom Penh brand. Initially intimidated, the young woman overcame her fear and participated in a session she will never forget. Her career was launched.
Soieries du Mékong
In 2016, she joined the Soieries du Mékong team, which opened its store in the Kandal Village neighborhood in Siem Reap, of which she quickly became the muse. Her smiling face then became inseparable from the brand, which perpetuates ancestral weaving traditions while helping the most disadvantaged populations. Such actions align with an ethic that could only appeal to Chhorvin.
"And besides, it's a job far removed from banking, with real interaction with customers. I can talk endlessly about our company's actions, explain the making of our scarves, or share the infinite riches of our country."
Yet everything seems to have frozen for several months, as the pandemic has gripped the world. The Kandal Village neighborhood, once popular with tourists seeking a haven of coolness and creativity, suddenly emptied of its visitors. As best they can, the Soieries du Mékong shop remains open 4 days a week, with Chhorvin handling most of the tasks alone. "I obviously consider myself lucky to still have a job, even with a reduced salary. That doesn't stop me from pursuing my dream of one day becoming a full-time stylist and creating my own brand. In the meantime, I want, more than ever, to continue my career and keep modeling. It's not just a desire, but also a necessity." May the creators present in Cambodia grant her wishes.
By Rémi Abad
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