Women's Rights, Marianne Clais: Teen Model, Rugby Star, and Elephant Guardian

Chroniqueur
2 hours ago
3 min read

On the occasion of this year's International Women's Day, Cambodge Mag opens its archives and brings back to the forefront some of the many portraits, interviews, and photos of those who have helped make the magazine vibrant and appealing over the years.

Marianne Clais is a young and pretty Franco-Cambodian high school student. Between her classes, she enjoys listening to music, drawing, playing sports, and spending time with her friends. Yet, among these very typical activities for a girl her age, she is also a top model and helps her parents protect elephants through the Airavata foundation.

CM: Tell us about your childhood.

I was born in Cambodia. During my childhood, I first lived in Ratanakiri. Then we moved to Phnom Penh to attend French schooling at Lycée Descartes. I'm currently in 10th grade. We are three children, and I'm the middle one with an older brother and a younger sister. I live in Phnom Penh with my brother and sister, and our parents travel between Ratanakiri and Phnom Penh. They are very busy...

CM: You just returned from the United States...

Yes, I went to Los Angeles a month ago. A Cambodian designer I've known since childhood, Rémy Hou, was selected to represent Cambodia at a fashion show. He chose me to wear his designs because he knew that participating in a runway show has been a dream of mine since I was little.

Marianne Clais dressed by Rémy Hou. Biyani Photography

It was an opportunity to do a fashion show in another country, but it was also a chance to present our Airavata foundation, an association aimed at protecting and preserving Cambodia's elephants. We were able to organize a Meet & Greet, where I explained the reasons for its creation and its objectives.

CM: So the Airavata foundation is important to you?

Yes, very much. First of all, you should know that our parents created this foundation for us. One day, they got a call from people offering them elephants—the last ones in Ratanakiri. Either we took them, or they would go to Thailand to a place that already had a huge elephant population. We acted on instinct because we are very attached to Ratanakiri. That's where I grew up, and whenever we get the chance, we spend time there, like during vacations. It's our ritual.

We created the foundation because we wanted to preserve the last elephants of Ratanakiri. Personally, I've gotten very involved. I've shared it with everyone around me, helped organize events to raise funds... Since I do modeling, I've also collaborated with photographers to raise awareness about our foundation. I really put my whole heart into it.

CM: What are your hobbies outside of school?

I work as a freelance model, but right now, I prioritize my high school studies. During the big summer vacation, I did a lot of photo shoots and lost my school rhythm. The start of the school year was pretty tough... I've been modeling for nearly a year; my first runway show was in February this year. In the family, except for my mother Chenda, we all love practicing motocross. We're also a very close-knit family and try to spend time together.

I also play rugby since the age of 8. I'm on the girls' team at Lycée Descartes. Moreover, we were crowned champions of the 2015 AEFE Rugby World Cup in London, a world cup for French schools abroad.

CM: What do you want to do after high school?

I have so many ideas for the future, but I think I'll have to go to France for higher education. I love everything artistic: cinema, theater, dance... I like creating things. The restaurant world appeals to me a lot too.

There's also the Airavata foundation, which is very close to my heart. I'd like to work for the foundation because I think I'm the only one among the kids who could take over the torch—my sister is still too young, and my brother wants to settle in France.