From The Straits Times    |

On Noelle: Crepe blouse, crepe dress and Carine leather satchel bag.
On Cherie: Jersey dress and patent leather belt.
On Erin: Jersey jumpsuit and leather belt.
All Michael Michael Kors

Noelle Woon, 22 (@toddnoeii)

This Nigerian-mixed-Singaporean Chinese beauty only turned full-time as a model (with local modelling agency Mannequin) last year. But you might find her familiar as she won The New Paper New Face contest some years back.

Despite her past exposure though, she says modelling can still be challenging. “I can be unmotivated by general beauty standards. We’re all expected to be in line with the perfect measurements (34-24-34), but I know that I’m not naturally suited to that,” she explains. “But I remind myself that talent plays a part too.”

With her outgoing personality, it’s no surprise that she’s a regular on Tik Tok, the trending video-sharing social media channel, creating funny and entertaining content for her followers.

On Noelle: Wool top and wool jacket, Prada. Clash de Cartier pink gold hoop earrings, and white gold bracelet and rings, Cartier

Cherie Alexis Ng, 23 (@cheriealexis)

She’s eloquent, professional, and she rocks multiple piercings and tattoos. Cherie, who turned full time last year but tried modelling in Seoul two years prior, shares that switching to the South-east Asian market was not easy.

“Here, we’re very used to the idea of traditional Asian beauty – long hair, and with a clean or innocent look. It’s not necessarily accepted if you don’t conform to that picture,” she says.

Still, the young model decided to retain her unique look and continues to break stereotypes in Singapore’s modelling scene.

Outside of work, Cherie is into hip-hop dance and fashion, especially streetwear dressing.

On Cherie: Cotton shirt, jacquard and taffeta jacket and matching shorts, Dior. Clash de Cartier pink gold earrings, bracelet and ring, Cartier

Erin Li, 14 (@erinxli)

She appears quiet on the set, but when it’s time for her to shine, her striking almond eyes light up. Standing at a staggering 175cm, Li is signed with Singapore agency, Basic Models.

“It all started with Basic’s open-casting call on Instagram. I attended it, with support and consent from my parents. A couple of days later, I got the offer. I decided to go for it because I wanted to try something that I’ve never done before.”

Currently juggling modelling and school at the same time, she says she can’t give up on either because both give her a sense of satisfaction. Modelling allows her to express her creativity, while studying (math in particular) allows her to feel accomplished whenever she solves a problem.

On Erin: Cotton and linen dress, wool and silk dress and matching pants, Louis Vuitton. Tiffany T1 18K rose gold bracelet, and 18K rose gold bracelet and ring with diamonds, Tiffany & Co.

On Cherie: Tweed playsuit
On Noelle: Tweed dress.
All Chanel

On Noelle: Satin top and leather bermudas, Bottega Veneta. Coco Crush 18K beige gold bracelet and necklace, and 18K white gold necklace with diamonds, Chanel.
On Erin: Leather coat, Bottega Veneta. Coco Crush 18K beige gold ring, and 18K white gold ring with diamonds, Chanel

On Erin: Cotton-blend pullover, viscose dress, leather jacket, and Jade coated canvas cross-body bag.
On Noelle: Viscose dress and matching pants.
On Cherie: Crepe dress, patent leather jacket and Mercer coated canvas bucket bag.
All Michael Michael Kors

On Erin: Silk shirt, cotton viscose vest and matching pants, leather heels and Sylvie 1969 leather shoulder bag, Gucci

On Cherie: Silk jumpsuit, leather belt and leather boots, Celine. Coco Crush 18K beige gold ring, 18K yellow gold with diamonds ring, and 18K white gold ring, Chanel.
On Noelle: Silk dress, leather belt and gold-plated brass earrings, Celine. Suede sandals, Hermes. Coco Crush 18K white gold ring with diamonds, Chanel

On Noelle: Silk dress, Givenchy. Tiffany T1 18K rose gold ring, and 18K rose gold bracelet and ring with diamonds, Tiffany & Co.

On Cherie: Cotton dress and leather clutch, Moschino. Tiffany T1 18K rose gold bracelet and ring with diamonds, and 18K rose gold bracelet and rings, Tiffany & Co.

PHOTOGRAPHY Shawn Paul Tan, assisted by Melvin Leong & Kat Midori
CREATIVE DIRECTION Windy Aulia
STYLING Debby Kwong, assisted by Sean Tham
HAIR Grego, using Keune Singapore
MAKEUP Bobbie Ng/The Make Up Room, using YSL Beaute
MANICURE Audrey Wee, using Chanel
MODELS Erin/Basic, Noelle and Cherie/Mannequin

This article was first published in Her World’s April 2020 issue.