Our Cover Star for the August issue, guides her clients through the labyrinth of their emotions. Yes! Her whimsical character combines therapy, and sprinting toward fitness like a caffeinated squirrel, leaving trails of determination.
Step into the whimsical realm of our Cover Star for August edition Evi Jerry, who balances her love for fitness, spirituality, and cultural flair. With her quiet moments filled with mantras to Lord Ganesha however her pièce de résistance, lies in her unwavering faith in Lord Ganesha. All in all, she is a delightful fusion of fashionista and philosopher. Well, wait there’s more! Evi’s legendary fascination with Indian fashion includes intricate henna patterns on her hands and feet, and she revels in the vibrant colours of Indian fabrics. Her ambitious goals? Sculpt a body that rivals Greek statues and conquer Hollywood or Bollywood—she’s flexible.
So, watch out, world! Evi Jerry’s coming. Hollywood, Bollywood, or even Nollywood – she’ll be there, flexing her dreams.
Hello Evi, Welcome to FHM, you’ve explored both fashion and spirituality. How do you see these two realms intersecting? Are there any specific clothing choices or styles that resonate with your spiritual beliefs?
Fashion involves adorning the body with beautiful clothes, while spirituality entails adorning the soul with enlightenment. Thus, both realms are, in one way or another, spheres of beauty.
As for my personal style, I’m quite eclectic. I appreciate all kinds of clothing styles—from youthful hip-hop to elegant evening dresses, and from stage outfits to business attire. What matters most to me is that my clothing choice aligns with the situation at hand.
In India, clothing often carries cultural and spiritual significance. Have you ever encountered a fashion trend or traditional attire during your travels that left a lasting impression on you?
Probably, of all the traditional costumes that I saw, I was most impressed by Indian women’s traditional clothing and its fashionable details. I really like painting hands and feet with henna; I’m just a fan of this fashion trend. There is also a huge amount of color and glitter in Indian clothes—it is so beautiful. And, of course, there are the decorations. Indian women adorn themselves so lavishly with diamonds and precious stones of all colors (especially for weddings) that one simply cannot help but like it. In fact, I am simply delighted with this culture of clothing and jewelry.
Evi, as a fashion psychologist, you understand the impact of clothing on our psyche. How can our outfit choices influence our mood, confidence, and interactions with others?
Oh yes, our choice of clothing definitely affects our behaviour, mood, and interactions with other people. Sometimes (now I’m talking about women), when you’re in a bad mood, you need to put on beautiful underwear, dress up, and do your hair. Your energy will immediately change, your mood will improve, and your confidence will increase. In general, both women and men should always dress neatly and look well-groomed. Firstly, this way we enhance our own well-being, and secondly, no matter how others try to challenge it, we are judged by our clothes (and our appearance). Regardless of what anyone says, this is an indisputable fact.
You’ve guided many individuals on their spiritual journeys. How do you balance providing guidance while allowing space for personal growth?
Before beginning any therapy or working with a client, especially when dealing with teenagers, it is essential to establish strong trust and quality relationships. This is my personal approach, and I consider this initial step to be the most crucial. Additionally, I provide recommendations and advice thoughtfully, only after fully understanding the situation and problem. I gently guide the individual in the right direction, allowing them to make informed choices. In my opinion, this approach creates space for personal growth.
In Hinduism, Lord Ganesha is revered as the remover of obstacles. How can one apply this concept to our spiritual development, especially when faced with challenges?
Sometimes, when we find ourselves in difficult situations, we become confused and don’t know what to do. In such moments, we feel lonely and weak. It is during these moments that faith (regardless of our individual beliefs) saves us. We turn to the Divine—like in this case, to Lord Ganesha—trusting that he will help us. And he certainly does.
Lord Ganesha is very popular and is loved by adherents of various religions, not just Hinduism. I am one of those people too. Lord Ganesha is my favorite deity in this world, and the mantras chanted in his honor bring calm and joy to the soul. In Europe, it is said that Lord Ganesha helps people not only in removing obstacles but also in achieving financial well-being and abundance (though I can’t confirm this, I believe it to be true :))).
Evi, the number 108 holds immense significance in Indian spirituality. It appears in various contexts, from prayer beads (malas) to sacred texts. What does this number represent to you personally?
The number 108 is my favourite number, my lucky number. Also, by a magical coincidence, this is my birth date (August 1). It feels very unusual and mysterious to me, especially considering my immense love for India and everything connected with this country. I think this is a sign from above.
Fitness is clearly a priority for you. What’s your secret to balancing a rigorous workout regime?
Sports and physical activity have always been present in my life since early childhood. In recent years, fitness and exercise have become my healthy addiction. Of course, the strongest motivation to stick to the regimen is a beautiful, toned body. However, it should be noted that exercise is also highly beneficial for my mental health and peace of mind. Sport helps me relieve stress of any kind; it is very useful in this regard. For me, the gym serves as a form of therapy and a way to restore balance.
Your photoshoots have been absolutely stunning. Can you share any funny behind-the-scenes story that captures the essence of the adventure?
Each photoshoot tells a small (or big) story. But sometimes, beautiful photographs conceal backbreaking work. Posing isn’t as easy a task as it might seem at first glance. One day, during a photoshoot in beautiful, long dresses on a bridge over the lake, I had to stand on the very edge of the bridge on my toes and lift the train of the dress. After numerous takes, I lost my balance, stumbled, and fell into the water. Fortunately, I swim well, but we had to stop shooting. At first, I was very angry and upset, but then everyone and I laughed heartily.
If you could magically swap bodies with any male celebrity for a day, who would it be, and what mischief would you get up to?
I would probably prefer to be Eminem for a day. Eminem is my favourite singer, and I have a lot of respect for him. I admire his success story. Since he was quite a scandalous person (at least he used to be one before), it wouldn’t be difficult to do something mischievous in his guise.
Lastly, what’s the next big goal for Evi Jerry? Any exclusive sneak peeks you can give to our readers?
Since childhood, I have had very high demands on myself, and I am rarely completely satisfied. It’s never enough for me! Therefore, on the way to my goal and shortly before achieving it, I already come up with and set another new goal for myself. I have several big goals, and achieving them requires patience and discipline. Probably one of my big goals is to act in a movie in Hollywood (or Bollywood). I want the whole world to see my face!
