Sarahléna Manise, Miss Namur contestant: “Behind the rain, there’s always sunshine”
Portraits Bullied at school, she went through eating disorders before regaining her confidence. Aged 18, a nursing student and Miss Namur contestant,…
Portrait · Metz, Moselle
Lou
For a long time she doubted herself, her weight, her figure. Since then she has posed, walked the runway, and in 2026 won the sash of second runner-up in Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine.
Text The info-shooting editorial team
Photos Michel Fouarge · info-lux.com
Based on articles published by info-lux.com in 2026
Lou is 23 and lives in Metz. She works at a school with pupils who need extra support, and has been posing in front of the camera since 2019.
Being from Metz makes her proud: her city, its history, its old monuments, its Saint-Étienne Cathedral. In early 2026, she is contestant no. 7 in Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine.
Regaining confidence in front of the lens
Her path to photo shoots came through her older sister.
I had serious self-confidence problems because of my weight, my body shape… My big sister was in this world and introduced me to it. Since then, I’ve got my confidence back and I love posing.
Lou Van, March 2026
Before this pageant, she took part in the Égérie Tour 2023 and The Casting 2024, and walked the runway the previous August at the Nanda pour la Femme event. She also enjoys going out with friends, reading and writing stories.
Former soldier
Asked which heroine she would be, she answers Mulan, a woman who “showed great courage and strength”.
I’m a former soldier myself, so I had to show I wasn’t weak. I had to summon courage, strength and determination.
Lou, January 2026
For her, elegance starts with “a kind and humble attitude”. And sensuality lies in the gaze: “people often say the eyes speak louder than the body and its gestures…”
Second runner-up
What she was looking for in the pageant: “gaining confidence, letting our personality shine”. On 7 February 2026, at the Forum de Longuyon, seven finalists compete for the title. Louna Dos Santos is crowned Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine; Lou Van is second runner-up, behind Maëlys Arnould.
Couture daydreams, then the Dernier Bataillon
In March 2026, More Followers features her on the inside cover of issue 21. At the Centre Saint-Jean in Longuyon, Michel Fouarge photographs her in black and silver, with hair by Fabien Tulli and make-up by Alexandra Barré, in a Bona Stella Fashion dress.
Favourite themes? “I have a bit of a weakness for extravagance. But apart from that, I like almost every theme.”
In June 2026, she is one of the five models in issue 24 of More Followers, “Le Dernier Bataillon Amazone”, shot in black and white at the Fermont fort on the Maginot Line. Her character is “combative and instinctive”.
They thought the storms would bring me down. They only taught me to walk in the rain.
Lou Van, More Followers 24 (June 2026)
What’s next
Lou sees her future in modelling and wants to keep doing photo shoots. In March 2026, she adds another plan: “to be my own boss, with several possible options”.
If mirrors gave life advice, I think mine would tell me to stop doubting myself so much and trust myself more.
Lou Van, March 2026
Lou in the media
Finalist Q&A, contestant portrait, final and two issues of More Followers: her features in 2026.
· info-lux.com
Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine 2026 > final
The finalists answer five questions on elegance. Portraits by Michel Fouarge.
· info-lux.com
Miss Élégance Nationale 2026 > Lorraine > Final
The final on 7 February in Longuyon: second runner-up.
· More Followers × info-lux.com
Longuyon > Fashion > A photo shoot in a dreamy setting
The inside front cover of issue 21, the “Rêveries Couture” series and the accompanying interview.
· More Followers × info-lux.com
More Followers 24 > Le Dernier Bataillon Amazone
Five Amazons in black and white at the Fermont fort, on the Maginot Line.
Lou’s gallery
Tap or click a photo to open it full size, then scroll through with the arrows, the keyboard or by swiping.
2026 · Contestant photos
2026 · Finalists’ shoot
2026 · More Followers, “Rêveries Couture”
Model profile: Lou on info-shooting. To propose a photo shoot or casting, write to the editorial team, who will pass it on.
Photographer: Michel Fouarge’s portfolio.
On info-lux.com (in French): Miss Élégance Nationale Lorraine > Lou (February 2026) and More Followers 24, Le Dernier Bataillon Amazone.
Sources: portrait published by info-lux.com on 5 February 2026; interviews by info-lux.com (January 2026) and More Followers (March and June 2026); account of the final (February 2026). Each photo is credited in its caption.
