LAYLA ONG

Gamine features, a waifish demeanour and an awkward-yet-endearing presence… 22-year-old Ong is leading the renaissance of Singaporean models who are making inroads in the international modelling arena. Her biggest claim to fame? Strutting her stuff down the runways of Gucci. “I couldn’t believe it was real even moments before I was due to step on the catwalk,” she remembers. It also goes without saying then, that she considers Alessandro Michele, Gucci’s Creative Director, as one of her fashion heroes. His talent for making the old new again has perhaps rubbed off on her: She can be seen criss-crossing the streets of each fashion capital in her comfortable vintage finds. “I’ve stopped buying new clothes ever since I discovered the wonder s of thr ifting,” Ong adds, citing NewYork’s Crossroads as one of her favourite haunts.

Ong wears her own Zara jeans; shirt, Gucci.Gold HardWear Triple Drop earrings; gold HardWear Wrap necklace; silver T Chain necklace; (right hand) gold T Wire bangle; gold and diamond T Square bangle; gold HardWear Link bracelet; (left hand) platinum and diamond Paper Flowers Diamond Cluster bracelet; gold T Narrow Chain bracelet; gold and diamond T Wire bangle, Tiffany & Co.