Millie Cheong is undoubtedly one of the rising stars in the local modelling world. After a number of shoots with Emma Thiternik Grigoryan, Kunal Jankee, Khatleen Minerve, Karen Pang and Chloe Ip, the 19 year old was marked as one to watch: Her face is akin to a porcelain doll, perfectly framed by very, very long straight black hair. She models clothes to perfection, her body is perfectly toned and slim (bodycon never looked better!). Most importantly, she is a true chameleon, mastering everything from perfect innocent to full on glamour.
Photo: Karen Pang
She has modelled for Perry Ah Why's fashion show, Lionnet Fauzou, the SAFIRE fashion show, the MEGA fashion show organised by the University of Mauritius amongst others. Millie has also appeared in the Defi Life magazine and Essentielle, and will be featured in PEOPLE: IN FASHION in September.
Photo: Kunal Jankee and Emma Thiternik Grigoryan
Name: Elizabeth Cheong
Height: 1m 68
Bust: 75 cm
Waist: 62 cm
Hips: 82 cm
Photo: Karen Pang for Cedric Lanappe's Make Up Show
How did you start modelling, when, and why?
I started doing photo shoots at the age of sixteen, but really entered the modelling world at the beginning of this year. Well, how it happened is still a mystery to me. I mean, one day I did a shoot and then bam, everything followed from there. It is, I think, most teenagers’ dream to form part of this exclusive world with all its glamour and beautiful people. It attracts you like a moth to a flame.
Photo: Khatleen Minerve
Were/are there difficulties modelling in Mauritius, especially if you are a new face?
Humm, not really. I mean for my first fashion show, all the girls were very nice to me. Even if there were already small groups here and there, each of them welcomed me, and that was pretty cool I have to say. There was no competitiveness or jealousy, far from it! It was mainly a “have fun" atmosphere.
The main difficulty is 'how-to-get-your-modelling-career-off-the-ground’. I don’t think it only applies to Mauritians but when you’re a new face you have to make yourself known in the fashion industry, make sure your face is recognised, and this may take many years.
Photo: Khatleen Minerve for the Defi Life Magazine
3. Do you belong to an agency? If so, has this helped you in any way?
I usually work with Gold Models but then in Mauritius, you don’t really have a strict contract with the modelling agencies, so I’m kind of half-freelance (if that even makes sense!).
Photo: Chloe Ip
4. What are your plans, modelling-wise, for the future?
For the foreseeable future, I hope I’ll be able to continue in the fashion industry in Mauritius. I really love it - the atmosphere, the people. But no, I have no big dreams of becoming the next Victoria’s Secret angel. I am realistic enough to know that after a few years my modelling career (if you can call it that way) will eventually end. But then I’ll be glad to have been able to form part of this world even if it has been only for a few months or years.
Photo: Julien Venner for Lionnet Fauzou
xoxo
Alex
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