By Kimberly Wallace, HER Magazine
Three years can bring about remarkable change; just ask Manisha Moonilal. In 2021, the model, who is as passionate about dance as she is about animals and nature, was the first runner-up in the Miss World T&T pageant and the winner of the competition’s “Beauty with a Purpose”. But the best was yet to come.
This year, Manisha graduated with distinction from the second best university in the world – Imperial College London where she pursued her Master’s in Strategic Marketing.
Achieving a distinction took dedication and focus. Some days involved stepping out in -5 degrees, six-hour group meetings and staying in the library past midnight. But those personal sacrifices reaped dividends; Imperial College opened doors for Manisha, enabling connections with leading international companies such as Google, Amazon, TikTok and LVMH.
She now works in the Marketing Europe Division of Charlotte Tilbury at their London headquarters. Much of her work focuses on supporting new product launches and retailer activation, predominantly with Sephora.
“It’s fascinating to explore the inner workings of a global company, the intricate processes and how far in advance everything is planned,” says Manisha, who recently witnessed the launch of “CT” in Prague, Czech Republic.
“As a teen there was no way I would have imagined that I’d get to work at a global beauty company, but life can surprise you when you make good decisions and have a little faith.”
Manisha is not one to stand still; rather, she focuses her time and energy on achieving tangible results, cultivating personal growth and pushing herself to challenge new boundaries.
After participating in the Miss World TT pageant she reflected on ways in which she could extend her impact. The allure of an international study experience which promised connections with people from all over the world was compelling, and too good of an opportunity to pass up.
“While I’m forever grateful for the comforting cocoon of T&T, stepping outside my bubble was essential,” she says. “I wanted to soak up new ideas and initiatives to bring back to our islands.”
England’s proximity to the rest of Europe was one of the selling points in her decision to study in the UK.
“Flights are sometimes the cost of a meal and in three hours you can be swimming in the Gatorade-blue waters of Malta. The walkability of London’s neighbourhoods is a true blessing. The architecture is breathtaking, there is history around every corner and I feel comfortable and safe walking alone even at night. London’s rich diversity offers a vibrant tapestry of cultures, providing refreshing glimpses into different worlds,” says Manisha, who adds that Princess Diana lived in her neighbourhood before and during her courtship with the then Prince of Wales.
Because she lives in one of the most multicultural cities in the world, sampling exotic cultures is as easy as going to ethnic restaurants which London has no shortage of. Manisha has also taken advantage of the many opportunities to travel. Last year, she stepped out of her comfort zone and explored Italy solo. What felt intimidating at first turned out to be one of the most empowering experiences of her life. Strolling the streets of Florence with a gelato in hand and savouring wines in the vineyards of Tuscany are memories Manisha says she will cherish when she’s no longer an independent girl in her twenties.
“Having always traveled with company, solo traveling taught me invaluable lessons about trusting myself and enjoying my own company,”she says. “It’s an invigorating and rewarding experience that I wholeheartedly wish for every young woman.”
Even though pageantry has taken a back seat to her life and career in the UK, experiences from her days on the stage do come up in conversations from time to time. She still uses her notes from Richard Young’s training sessions when preparing for interviews. Manisha also continues to model; this year she did a commercial shoot for Tropical Sun and was featured on three billboards around London.
Manisha is still as enthusiastic as her 2021 self but she has balanced that with realism.
“One of the hardest but necessary lessons was learning to trust that what’s meant for you will be for you. I’ve learned the importance of action over mere planning, for life is about movement. As a young woman, advocating for yourself and confidently sharing your achievements is vital. For a long time, I felt the need to underplay my own hard work and brush over my achievements to be modest. London taught me that to get what you want, you must ask for it and demonstrate why you deserve it, or risk being left behind. Very much in line with my field of expertise – you have to learn to market yourself!,” says Manisha.
As much as living in the UK has broadened her perspectives, Manisha concedes that at the end of the day, there really is no place like home. As a beach lover, Manisha craves the salt of the ocean and the luxury of spending a Sunday at Maracas Bay. Although the Naparima cookbook has been a lifesaver, nothing can compare to a roti from Mona’s or her aunt’s home cooked meals. Manisha also misses her family, friends, dogs and that sense of community – the small talk, hospitality and warm smiles that are an intrinsic part of Caribbean culture. To fill that void, she has recreated a community with friends from all over the world who have become like family.
“Having friends from diverse backgrounds has reinforced my belief that despite our different languages and cultures, our shared humanity connects us more than we might think,” she says.
Recently, Manisha found a paper where she mapped out her goals in five year intervals up to the age of 65; she seems to be on track for the most part. She plans to continue learning and absorbing as much as she can.
“I’m deeply grateful for this dream come true – a journey many years in the making. I’m excited to see how the skills and experiences I’ve gained in London, can one day benefit our twin islands,” says Manisha. “One lesson I’ve learned is that your plans rarely unfold as expected, and that’s often for the better. You just need to trust the process, be patient, stay proactive and navigate with grace.”
