New Face 2011 finalist says contest brought her modelling offers

Lisah Suhaimi went from being a novice in The New Paper New Face 2011 to the summer 2016 face of American clothing brand Guess for South-east Asia.

Guess is famous for using in its advertising campaigns models such as Claudia Schiffer, Adriana Lima and Kate Upton before they became famous.

The 24-year-old took part in a search for Guess models and emerged runner-up. Her prize included US$1,000 (S$1,370) in cash and an advertorial shoot in Los Angeles.

Lisah said: "It was fun and exciting because I'd never been to the United States before.

"The weather, environment and people there were all very new to me. It was easy and fun to work with the crew there because they let me do whatever I wanted."

She called New Face a "direct channel to the modelling industry".

"I was surprised by how much exposure New Face gave me. A lot of modelling offers were made (after she was placed in the top-20).

"Before that, people didn't want me because I didn't have a portfolio," she said.

Lisah has since done bridal fashion shows, and shoots for magazines, including Elle and Cosmopolitan in Singapore, and for clothing brand Mod Kebaya.

NO REGRETS

She said: "New Face brought me a long way. I never regretted going for the competition.

"The entire three months (of the competition) was new and fun. I made a lot of new friends that I still keep in touch with."

Lisah remembers being nervous. As a newbie without experience, it was difficult trying to understand the directions she was given at shoots, she admitted.

But she was quick to add: "When you have good shots, they will let you know, so that was good motivation."

How to join

Lisah Suhaimi, 24, from The New Paper New Face 2011, said she has never regretted taking part in the competition.

She is thankful for the head start New Face gave her, and says she might not be a model now if not for it.

Lisah said it is important to "stay true to yourself and not change who you are" during the competition.

"Improve in whatever ways but don't deviate from who you are. You want your own signature that people will remember you for."

Now in its 24th year, The New Paper New Face is a modelling contest that opened doors for some of today's top names, such as actress Jayley Woo, model Vivien Ong, and social media stars Eunice Annabel Lim and Sophie Willocq.

This year's contest is presented by Subaru MotorImage, with beauty training school Cosmoprof Academy and Marina Square as the official make-up sponsor and fashion mall respectively.

Here are two ways you can be part of New Face 16:

STREET HUNT

Be at Bugis Junction or Bugis+ this Sunday afternoon. Last year's top 20 contestants will be around to spot girls to put through to Round 2.

WALK-IN AUDITION

The walk-in audition on May 29 will be the final chance for you to be in New Face 16. Registration is at Bugis+ Level 2 atrium between 1pm and 2pm.

This article was first published on May 17, 2016.
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