Q&A: Gwen Loo

Q+A: Gwen Loo
Fri, 19/09/08 - 12:41PM
By: Stacey Chia @ Tongue in Chic

It’s not everyday that you get to acknowledge a high-flying fashion model as your friend, but that’s what Gwen Loo is to me.

For two weeks in December 2005, Gwen and I developed a friendship, one based on being two of the few Asian models amongst a sea of European girls. Since then Gwen’s career has sky rocketed. Gwen, who hails from Penang, is anything but a typical Asian model. Sure, she possess the industry’s favoured Oriental eyes and porcelain skin, but distinguishes herself from the rest with her jet-black short crop.

“I used to think that a model has to have long hair because it’s more versatile and easier to style, but I decided to break the stereotype that Asian models should have long black hair with bangs and show that short hair works on me too,” she explains. According to Gwen, making the decision to model full-time was not an easy one as there was no guarantee that venturing abroad to model would reap results, given that the modeling industry is always fluctuating.

“The tingling desire towards modeling grew as I started to taste the fashion and modeling world,” she confides.

“In the end I decided to leave my comfort zone and pursue modeling full-time as modeling part-time is too stressful and I really wanted to concentrate on this exciting career,” Gwen adds. But it was a decision well made. Now based in New York, she has been photographed for Bazaar Espanol, Deutsch Magazine, Diva (Austria), Wound (UK), D Magazine, French Biba, French Glamour, Vogue Taiwan, Elle Accessories, and Cosmo Girl; just to name a few.

In addition, she secured campaigns with Macy's West, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and GO! Target.

So how did the former quantity surveyor become Asia’s next top model? TiC asks Gwen Loo the specifics on getting the glamourous life many girls can only dream of.

Q: How did you get to where you are today?
A: I started modeling in the middle of 2005 and at the end of the year I won Elite Model Look Malaysia. After winning the competition, I started modeling full swing, I secured a contract with Ave Management in early 2006 and during my first season in the Singapore Fashion Festival, the Director of Elite New York scouted me.

Q: What is it like living in an apartment with so many other models? Living with other models is just like living with other human beings.
A: They are my companions when I’m away from home and sometimes I take care of them when they are in need.

Q: What’s a typical year for you?
A: On average, I spend about seven months in New York City, three months traveling in Europe and Asia and two months back home. I was back in Malaysia in June for a beauty campaign and a print job for P&Co (by Padini group).

Q: And a day in New York? It’s hectic!
A: Castings start in the morning and go on till evening. I spend most of the day underground connecting trains or navigating my way through New York in search for the place I have to be at. At night, I usually stay in front of my laptop and chat with my friends online and reply emails.

Q: Which fashion capital do you enjoy most?
A: I love Paris. It’s such a beautiful and calm city. However, there is not as much work for me in Paris compared to NYC.

Q: After so much talk of Asian models breaking into the scene, are they really more opportunities for Asian models these days?
A: Yes and no. The demand for Asian models is greater in US, but not so much in Europe. I hope Asian faces will get more exposure in the Western countries.

Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: The thing about me is that I do not plan. I just follow my heart and do what I love.

Source: Tongue in Chic