Singapore’s Model Renaissance
Remember the days when Hanis Hussey, Ethel Fong and Junita Simon were the names that lit up the international runway? Those were the golden years of the ’80s and ’90s, when Singapore models strutted across the globe, driving trends and bagged bagos on every major campaign. Fast forward to today, and a fresh crop of talent is turning heads again.
Meet the New Generation
- Layla Ong – Crushed the runway in Gucci’s Milan Fashion Week, proving that Singapore leather can compete with the Italian finest.
- KaiGin Yong – Stepped onto couture catwalks, showing that sheer ambition can match the high fashion flavor of Paris.
- Ruth Teo – Discovered on a viral TikTok challenge, now gracing global beauty editorial spreads.
- Jian Koh – From a humble neighborhood in Singapore to standing beside architectural wonders at New York Fashion Week.
- Mei Chen – Champion of sustainable fashion, featuring in campaigns that celebrate eco‑friendly style.
Why They’re Worth Watching
These figures are more than just pretty faces; they bring a fresh geography to the scene. Their stories of everyday hustle paired with the flair of street style inspire a new generation of aspiring models. Because, let’s be honest—when a girl can nail a runway in Gucci with swagger while telling you about her grandma’s secret spice recipe, you just can’t ignore her.
Spotlight Back on Singapore
With these new talents, Singapore has slipped back into the modeling spotlight. Their international appearances are proving that creativity, talent, and a pinch of cheeky humor can make a country’s name buzz louder than the old classics.
Layla Ong
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From a Casual Instagram Post to the Runway
Who would’ve thought a spur‑of‑the‑moment trial at Basic Models would ignite a full‑blown fashion career? That’s the story of Layla Ong, a 24‑year‑old model whose journey began when she spotted a photo on fellow model Aimee Cheng‑Bradshaw’s Instagram.
At just 21, Layla decided to play it safe and give modeling a whirl for fun. Fast forward two months later:
- Season 5 of Asia’s Next Top Model – She was cast and, while she finished in 10th place and left the show early, the exposure was a game‑changer.
- Coverage in local fashion media – Her striking looks grabbed attention, earning Female Magazine two covers.
- Big brand collaborations – From Pomelo to MSGM, Rodarte, and Dolce & Gabbana, she’s fronted ads for each.
- Gucci beauty campaign – Most recently, she’s featured in a high‑profile Gucci campaign.
Layla’s trajectory is a testament to the fact that a single bold decision can launch a future that graces international fashion weeks and top‑tier campaigns.
Kaigin Jean Yong
Kaigin Yong: From Talent‑Spotlight to Couture Catwalks
Kaigin Yong paved her way to the runway with a classic, no‑fuss strategy: she showed up at a big competition and let her look speak for itself.
Gaining the Spotlight
- 2017: Competed in The New Paper New Face contest.
- Her striking androgynous style turned heads, outshining all her rivals.
- She clinched the top prize, a win that earned her immediate recognition.
From Winner to Agency Star
At just 22, she secured a contract with a local agency that sent her into the fast‑lane of fashion modeling. She’s since graced countless magazines and runway shows, and her portfolio is a quick tour across style capitals.
Recent Highlights
- January Couture Fashion Week: Walked for high‑end houses like Ralph & Russo and Viktor & Rolf.
- Autumn/Winter 2020 in Paris: Staged in 14 shows for labels such as Yohji Yamamoto and Lemaire.
Kaigin keeps scaling the heights of the fashion world, flirty on the catwalk and fierce in the spotlight. Her journey proves that a genuine look, paired with hard‑earned accolades, can turn a dream into a runway reality.
Duan Mei Yue
Shining in the Spotlight: Mei Yue’s Fashion Odyssey
From Little Steps to Big Catwalks
Mei Yue has been chasing a fashion dream since she was a kid. She wanted to design a runway but ended up modeling instead—it’s a tiny twist that turned into a huge gain.
How K‑Pop Sparked the Spark
Watching her K‑Pop stars glide through fashion weeks lit a fire in her. “I could be next to them! That’s the idea,” she mused. And so the stage was set.
Igniting a Passion for the Clothes and Cues
She fell in love with the way models carried themselves and realized, “Let’s get in front of the camera and bring that energy to life.” The dream kept growing as she got closer to the runway.
Runway Highlights to Date
- Dior haute couture at SS’18
- Front‑page role in Sephora Singapore’s Chinese New Year campaign
- Spotlight on the covers of i‑D Japan and Vogue Korea
Mei Yue is proving that ambition, a sprinkle of fandom, and a fearless stride can turn a kid’s wish into runway reality.
Diya Prabhakar
Meet Diya: From Teen Star to Fashion Maven
Diya burst onto the runway at just 15, bagging the New Paper New Face award in 2014. Fast‑forward to 21, and she’s now the latest darling signed to giants like Storm in London (yes, the same agency behind Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell) and The Industry Model Management in New York.
Career Highlights (in a nutshell)
- Walked for Christian Siriano and Prabu Gurung—so basically the big names in fashion.
- Featured in top publications: Tank, Grazia China, Marie Claire UK, and the Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore.
- Has steadily built a portfolio over the past four years, proving she’s not just a flash in the pan but a full‑blown career guy.
What Makes Her Stand Out?
Diya blends youthful energy with seasoned professionalism—a rarity in a field that’s all about “the next big thing.” She keeps the runway fresh, wears her 15‑year‑old accolade like a badge of honor, and works with the industry’s biggest names.
Bottom Line: A Rising Star Ready for the Future
With top agencies backing her and a catalog of runway and editorial wins, Diya’s trajectory is sky‑high. Watch this space—she’s already rewriting what it means to be a modern model.
Kaci Beh
From Schoolgirl to Supermodel: Kaci’s Roller‑Coaster Life
Early Beginnings
- 18‑year‑old Kaci stumbled across Basic Model’s open casting call, just like her friend Layla.
- She was itching to break out of her routine, so she signed up without a second thought.
The Decision
- Real talk – she dropped out of school after a quick reality check: “Not my thing.”
- She gave the modeling dream a full‑time shout‑out and packed her bags.
Life on the Runway
- Fast‑tracked to European hubs: Milan, Paris, London.
- Wearing the vision of big brands like United Colours of Benneton and Dolce & Gabanna.
How It Feels Working for the Big Names
- “It’s a wild mix of glam and grind,” she says.
- Every shoot feels like a passport stamp in an exciting fashion saga.
This is a breezy retelling originally penned for CLEO Singapore.
