Two models, two photographers and two brand owners join a teacher and a student, and a stylist and her assistant in an exchange of beliefs on their roles in the fashion industry.
Pictured from left to right: Aloysius Chua, Model, NOW Model Management; Claire Lee, Model, Misc Management
(On Aloysius) Top, DUC Studio | Plop Apparels; Pants, Aloysius’ own; (On Claire) Dress, Latui | Plop Apparels
Is there a pressure to be relatable?
Claire: For me, I don’t like take social media that seriously, so it’s quite easy for the relatability aspect to just like, be on my page, I guess. I don’t think it’s like a pressure because for me, it just happens, you know.
Aloysius: Because for us to stay relevant, we definitely have to branch out into being relatable. But for us, the conventional way of being “known” has always been doing runways or shoots and everything in between. And that makes up who we are, in the eyes of the public. I mean the job has evolved. Now content and KOL-things are expected. But for us, even just turning our daily lives into content can be quite relatable. We don’t have to specially create or curate an image. I think the local scene is quite real in that sense. Do you think it’s different for female models?
Claire: I feel like there are definitely more jobs for female models, but also, there’s just a lot more female models too. So I think it evens out. The chances of us getting a job is about there.
Aloysius: Yeah, because conventionally, fashion is more centred around female models, but like what you said, there’s a bigger pool of competitors. But something that I’ve noticed recently is that gender don’t really matter, as much anymore, in this line of work. Nowadays, the market is more into gender ambiguity and blurring the lines of who can be in what, you know? I’ve walked female shows before. So I feel that the industry is more flexible now. People naturally come to you less for what gender you are, but more so because they like you for who you are.
Claire: Yeah, my agency focuses quite a lot on inclusivity and exploring different gender roles and how you know, like female models can work for male shows. I think Tim [Misc Management’s booker] has been pushing for male models to walk for female shows. But I think, while being a girl on social media has its perks, it’s also a bit difficult because your audience can literally be anyone. Like weird men included. So I try not to do too much revealing content because I don’t want that audience. But ultimately, I think I don’t really care about scrutiny. Perceive me if you want.
Aloysius: I agree, because I feel like if we try to conform to certain social expectations like oh, models are always well-dressed, or materialistic. It’s not practical. I just want to be me. There’s more pressure in thinking of conforming. At the end of the day, if I conform, I won’t be living the life and showing everyone who I am. I’d just be showing everyone who they want me to be.
Claire: Yeah, one thing I really like about my agency is there isn’t as much focus on measurements and stuff like that, as I would assume others have. I like how have to watch my weight or anything.
Aloysius: I like your agency’s agenda. Of like, embracing the concept of the future. There’s a flexibility and they are practicing the future they want. But my agency, and most conventional agencies are moving to be more flexible. I think people’s perceptions are that traditional agencies like NOW are strict on us as well. But in reality, my bookers are quite concerned about of physical and mental well-being. There’s no forced, strict diets. Instead, they want us to be happy and will find compromises like exercise. Because after all, if we ever have to restrict ourselves and our mental well-being is not there, then I don’t think we can even deliver or even move ahead and have this sustainable approach to the job.
Claire: But I don’t think modelling is like a very sustainable job in the long-term. So honestly, you have to find things to do on the side. And I think for most of the models in Singapore, unless you’re doing it full time is not like something that you can keep doing consistently.
Aloysius: I have a different perspective, maybe because I’m doing this full-time. Financially, I think that it’s sustainable. But of course, there’s a level of discipline needed to set goals you want to achieve. There are challenges, for sure. Yes, our job can be very irregular, there are periods of peak and lulls. But it’s what you do with it, right? Lulls can provide pockets of time to go learn a skill, something that can benefit you. Because nowadays, modelling is not just about runways, or just standing in front of the camera. It’s also about being able to have a skill or two like skateboarding or flexibility. So adding to your skills can make a difference. I think modelling can be sustainable because I feel like the job has evolved. Nowadays, we are more attuned to creating content on our own. It’s being engaging as well. So people will remember you.
Claire: Month-to-month, it’s definitely sustainable. But like in 10 years, when you’re done with modelling, if you have nothing else then what do you do? Plus, sometimes gigs aren’t as upfront and honest as you’d expect, like the industry standard. There was a project that I worked on that I later found out, through experience, to be a lot more physical than what was said. And my health is not the best, so I fainted three to four times in two days, and I had to leave and forgo the job. But then the contract stuff kicked in and it was difficult to work a way out.
Aloysius: Yeah. There’s definitely a lot of ambiguity at times, especially when you’re starting out. I mean, there’s expectations, even for going on-set. And you’re expected to know. And there’s the thing about personal energy that people don’t see in the final result. There are overnight shoots that last up to 20 hours. It is very challenging on your body. Beyond just physically being there, mentally you may have to channel a certain persona or vibe that is required for the shot. If you’re not in the right frame of mind, you might not be able to produce what the team wants.
Claire: I think ultimately, I don’t want that much out of this job. I want a simple life. I want to own a house, start a jewellery business from home, and maybe freelance as a model on the side.
Aloysius: Yeah, I think we just like go for simple happiness. There are things I want to do for myself, I want to like start my own brand. And then I can model on the side and say, I can model for my own brand. But of course, I have plans outside of the industry, like opening an ice cream shop. In terms of modelling, I would see where things go. I would still want to model in five years because for me, I’m blessed. I don’t look my age [laughs].
Is it worth it?
Claire: I feel, yes. But you have to plan ahead. There are things that being in this industry that you can’t get from anywhere else. Maybe because I studied design, so I appreciate everyone a bit more. Like the photographers, the set designers, the makeup artists, and everyone. even have to be interested.
Aloysius: I’m a finance student graduate. And I’ve been modelling for seven years. So I think it says a lot about how much I enjoy it. I’ve never looked back and regretted not working in a bank. These are the opportunities not everyone gets to experience. And while you’re still at the prime age these opportunities can really be a different kind to have. Like just seeing a different side of the industry than what the public sees, like getting to speak to people behind the scenes to know a lot about their creative stories and why they end up being here today. So for me it’s worth it. I just want to do things that make me happy, regardless of whether it’s gonna be a long-run thing.
Photography Beng
Styling Manfred Lu
Text & Coordination Vanessa Grace Ng
Grooming & Hair Jenny Tan | Paletteinc. using M.A.C. Cosmetics and KEUNE Haircosmetics
Photography Assistant Alfred Phang
Styling Assistant & Production Coordination Lance Aeron
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our November 2023 issue.
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