LAYLA ONG, 25

Professional model

At the time of writing, Layla is jetting off to Milan for a fitting with Dolce & Gabbana. She hopes to get her burgeoning modelling career back on track in Europe, where she drew national pride as the Singaporean model to walk exclusively for Gucci’s Autumn/winter 2018 show. She followed up her best-known coup by walking in the luxury fashion house’s runway presentations five more times, and was part of its Christmas campaign in 2019.

Now, her resume reads like a who’s who of global brands the likes of Hugo Boss, Rodarte and MSGM. It is a triumphant about-turn after an early elimination from Asia’s Next Top Model in 2017. Unfazed, she went on to score her first solo magazine cover in November that year, before landing six more local covers over four years.

Standing at 1.75m, Layla falls short of the standard model height of 1.78m. But her quirky look and waifish frame, accentuated with an almost otherworldly allure, sets her apart. With a fearless, give-it-a-go attitude, she exudes optimism that belies her edgy-cool vibe. “I try to look on the brighter side of life. When one door closes, another is bound to open. Life never fails you.”

She hopes that people will emerge from the pandemic kinder and free from discrimination. “I have always been treated kindly. I hope that we have learnt to respect and treat people of all sizes, races, genders and ages the same. Also, we need to take mental health seriously, just as there’s easy access to treat infectious diseases.”