Wanna be on top?
All eyes are on Asia, finally.
Fashion has long been dominated by the West. Which is quite strange since a bulk of the sales and the growth of all the major fashion houses are because of the East. Well, the universe works in mysterious ways and what do you know? “One day you’re in, the next day, you’re out,” to borrow another tag line from another reality show on fashion.
Enter Asia’s Next Top Model, the show that intends to seek out the next big name to come out of the Asian modeling scene. Asian beauty is quite diverse, from Chinese to Malay to Indian and the hybrid Pan Asian, this is the first time the spotlight has been focused on Asian beauty. In this way, the show is groundbreaking, even if it is a franchise of Tyra Banks’ popular reality series. All fashion-forward publications and entities are now looking for that distinct Asian face. The market of luxury and fashion is looking at Asia. Buying power is at an all-time high. So it’s about time we were able to represent.
And more than just representing, it’s about time the world opened up to the diverse beauty that comes from the East.
Joey Mead has held the position of Top Model for quite some time. She is that unique chameleon that has traveled all over the globe, signed on countless global campaigns, graced a thousand magazine covers and editorials, rocked the ramp more than a hundred times, and continues to pulsate whether onstage as a model or as a host. She is hands down, as top a top model can be.
That she serves as model mentor to the girls of Asia’s Next Top Model is icing on top of her very multi-layered cake. “I want to inspire the next generation of girls to know what it takes to really make it as a model. They must think of themselves as more than just a model. What do you want to be remembered as? Make a business plan for yourself.” When Joey Mead talks, you know she means it.
Broaden your horizons
“Go abroad, broaden your modeling work and your horizons.” This is what she advised models who are seeking to make their stamp in a fickle industry.
Last Tuesday, Joey hosted an intimate meet and greet for friends from the media to welcome photographer judge Todd Tyler and Philippine bet on the show and early favorite Stephanie Retuya. The Top Model trio then went on to do this PhilSTAR Supreme exclusive shoot, for your visual pleasure.
Todd Tyler was a former model himself. Joey talks to me about Todd, “We both started during our Polaroid days. Models couldn’t really party because we had to take care of our skin for the shoot the next day. It was a time when there was no Photoshop. Models were not about airbrushing.”
Todd is Canadian, and as a model has worked extensively in Europe and Asia. Todd is now a Shanghai-based photographer and for the last 10 years, he has shot and built the careers of top Asian models like Fei Sun and Liu Wen. Who knows, his magic touch may just be that missing link to send another girl to Top Model stardom? Who knows, maybe she’s Filipina?
Joey ends our conversation with something to think about. “Modeling is not just about looking good, it’s a state of mind.” It’s about putting your best foot forward, your best self to the fore.
It’s what being on top is all about.
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Who do you think will win Asia’s Next Top Model? Tweet me at twitter.com/officialTIMYAP.
