Mother of 2 doesn't plan to stop modelling

As an awkward teenager who had stage fright, Ms Jaslyn Wong dreamt of being a supermodel.

But there weren't many things going for her.

She says: "I always wanted to be on the runway... I mean, most girls do right?

"The thing is, most models who make it on that kind of stage are at least 1.7m tall.

"I'm only 1.65m. That's why I thought I couldn't do those kind of shows.".

Ms Wong did get the shows after all - everything from fashion runways to even being a hair model at 18 when she first started out.

And she is still hot property after turning 36.

Those in the industry say there are a lot more opportunities now for models who don't fit the mould of the statuesque, fair-skinned beauty.

The rise of online shops have also created a demand for the girl-next-door look.

Ms Wong started her full-time career at 18 when a salon cast her to be a hair model.

See also: She didn't give up model aspirations even in her 30s

She then moved into doing freelance fashion and lingerie photo shoots for photographers building their portfolios.

In 2001, she became pregnant at 22 and her modelling career was seemingly over.

But at 31, she made a comeback doing shoots for photographers building their portfolios before Mr Jeffrey Chung, owner of Jeffrey Chung Models Singapore, signed her about three years ago.

Now, the mother of two juggles modelling and a day job as a marketing executive. The modelling jobs earn her at least $1,500 extra monthly.

While it can be tiring - she works from 9am to 5.30pm and her shoots in the evenings can last four hours - Ms Wong wants to continue taking modelling assignments.

"Now I get jobs at nightclubs like Club 5, Club Mansion. Those shows are usually product launches for online stores.

"I did one recently. It was a lingerie show for online store beau2.com," she adds. beau2 sells lingerie of different themes.

"Even with the kind of shows I do, my parents and siblings continually encourage me and give me their support to pursue my dreams," she says.

Her family says that the best thing to come out of her modelling career is the person she has become.

PROUD

"They always remind me that they're proud of the confident person my modelling career has made me."

At 36, Ms Wong does not think her age would be a hindrance.

"As long as I get requests, why should I give up modelling? It makes me happy and I don't plan on stopping any time soon".

See also: 'Less-than-perfect' models in Singapore can make a lot of money

And she has also fulfilled her dream of becoming a runway model.

"I was engaged by Chan Brothers to model at the Everyday Holidays Travel Fair in February.

"I was chosen to present leather wear for some Turkish clients to show people what they can use on their holidays," she says.

crobert@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on August 23, 2015.
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