Catwalking down memory lane

SINGAPORE - By the end of tomorrow, 25 women will be named New Face 2014's semi-finalists.

They have one more round to clear before getting into this year's top 20.

The New Paper New Face 2014 is presented by Subaru MotorImage with official apparel Levi's and official shoes and accessories New Look.

For 22 years, New Face has been kick-starting careers in the modelling industry and beyond.

TNP caught up with two New Face alumni who went on to make waves in the modelling industry.

And this year, they are back as judges.

POOJAA GILL
2006 NEW FACE FINALIST

Miss Gill joined New Face at 15. Then a student at Singapore Sports School, she had wanted to be a sprinter but a back injury led her to pursue her other dream - modelling.

And she has been living that dream ever since.

Last year, she shot a Levi's ad campaign in Shanghai. Earlier this year, she became a finalist on Asia's Next Top Model Season 2 and won Miss Asia Pacific World Singapore.

The 23-year-old said: "New Face definitely gave me a kick-start, it taught me how to walk, how to pose, how to carry myself - the basics."

Miss Gill judged the walk-in audition on June 14 at Bugis+.

She said: "It brought me back to when I was 15 and auditioning for New Face. It was a great experience, I'm very grateful for the opportunity. It's great to show girls that I didn't win, but joining still helped me become successful in the industry."

Since she had already seen the women going through to the Round 2 closed-door audition, she offered this advice: "A lot of girls didn't dress as well as they could for their figures. They could have worn more figure-hugging clothes.

"Some weren't confident and didn't smile or push their hair back to let us see their faces.

"Confidence is key, be yourself. In modelling, you're not always going to get assignments you want, but you should still stand tall and carry yourself well."

SARA CHAN
2008 NEW FACE FINALIST

Miss Chan joined New Face when she was 17. The 23-year-old returns to the contest tomorrow as a closed-door audition judge.

She recalled: "I had heard of New Face before the year I joined, but wasn't sure if I fit the criteria. I'm happy I managed to get to the finals. Many say it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it's true.

"I feel lucky that New Face introduced me to (show producer) Daniel Boey, because I continued working with him in other shows after the competition."

The 23-year-old has since modelled for several fashion shows, including the Audi Fashion Festival and Fide Fashion Week.

She has also had success overseas, with assignments in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Now that she's going to be a judge, she says it feels great.

"In this industry we always get judged, now it's a role reversal," Miss Chan said with a laugh.

"At the same time, it's also something new for me. So I'm looking forward to judging and meeting the girls."

She added: "I'll look out for girls who are presentable, pretty, tall and confident.

"Usually the contestants are nervous and tense, so I'd also like to see someone who's relaxed and shows her personality."

This article was first published on July 4, 2014.
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