Modelling agency's calendar shoot gets a touch of the orient

SINGAPORE - Wearing nothing but a bright red lingerie and a robe over her shoulders, she stretched her long slender legs and smiled alluringly at the camera.

Miss Anupriya Panneerselvan, 27, was one of 12 models to pose for the lingerie shoot for Jeffrey Chung Models Pte Ltd's (JCM) 2015 Calendar.

But Miss Anupriya is actually a senior enrolled nurse with the Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

She said: "This is my first lingerie shoot and I haven't told anybody about it.

"But my parents, boyfriend and colleagues know that I am in a modelling agency and they have been pretty supportive of the things that I do, and they trust that I will be able to draw the line well."

Her mother has always liked watching pageants and beauty contests, and Miss Anupriya became interested in them too.

She admired the models and pageants that she was seeing on television, but it was only six years ago that she decided to take part in her first pageant and run for Miss SGH, held during the hospital's dinner and dance.

But she only won at her third pageant and was crowned Miss Hiranyaa 2010.

One of the prizes was a three-year modelling contract with JCM, which started her part-time modelling career.

Miss Anupriya told The New Paper: "I took up this lingerie shoot because I want to try new things. I know I won't be exposing too much and so I'm okay with it.

"Every shoot is a learning experience."

Another model at the photo session was Miss Candy Tan.

KEEPING MUM

The 26-year-old beauty blogger and freelance makeup artiste said her mother did not want her to go into the modelling industry because she felt the environment was too complex.

But she went ahead anyway - though she didn't tell anyone she was taking part in a lingerie shoot.

Miss Tan said: "My father has a very negative perception of the media, especially the modelling industry and TV broadcasting.

"If he were to know about this, he will most probably not talk to me for years to come."

Miss Tan said she was going ahead with the photoshoot because she feels proud of her body. When presented with the opportunity where "others appreciate my assets", she jumped at the chance so she wouldn't have any regrets.

It has been 23 years since JCM started producing a calendar for its clients and the media.

The coming year's theme is One Nite In Beijing.

Director of JCM Jeffrey Chung said he wanted an oriental influence.

"I want this calendar to be alluring, warm and inviting. I want my clients to fall in love with the girls. I want them to be surprised," he said.

In December, 1,000 calendars will be released.

JCM is also considering the possibility of holding a public calendar launch the same month where 100 lucky guests who show up will walk away with the calendars. 

This article was first published on July 29, 2014.
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