Vogue Singapore’s anniversary issue, themed ‘Voices’, amplifies its mission of representation and breaking boundaries in a myriad of ways. For one, its interactive cover, produced in collaboration with Spatial Labs, features an NFC-enabled Continuity™ Chip. With just a single tap, readers are transported to an exclusive soundscape experience that melds the work of Singaporean poet Alfian Sa’at and 16th century Southeast Asian melodies designed by artist Jeremy Sharma.
As you make your way through the pages of the issue, the lives and pursuits of Southeast Asians punctuate its chapters. Fashion designer Kel Wen of Behati redefines traditional Malay clothing, local radio DJ Yasminne Cheng opens up about her decision not to have children and Christina Rasmussen and Sasha Wijidessa of Fura delve into their vision for sustainable dining.
Driving this message home are Indonesian and Malaysian cover models Rizal Rama and Vanizha Vasantha Nathan. Since the conception of the fashion magazine, covers have undeniably served as a timeline of cultural movements and shifts. And when it comes to Vogue covers, the impact has proven to be even more resounding. We’ve seen pivotal milestones of representation in just the last two decades: Chinese model Du Juan gracing Vogue France’s cover in 2005, Fei Fei Sun fronting Vogue Italia’s cover in 2013 and Priyanka Chopra Jonas appearing on American Vogue in 2018.
Closer to home, Ethel Fong, Nora Ariffin, Hanis Hussey and Ling Tan are some of the names that come to mind when one thinks of trailblazers who paved the way for regional representation. Gracing the runways in New York, London, Milan and Paris are talents fostered in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and beyond. And though strides have been made since, there is still a long way to go, particularly surrounding the definition of what is considered beautiful in Asia.
Enter: a new generation of models who are continuing to challenge the status quo—albeit in different ways. Rama and Vasantha Nathan are part of a fresh wave of faces who are redefining what Southeast Asian beauty looks like today. Here, the duo delve into the importance of inclusivity and how they hope to keep the conversation going—anchored by Vogue Singapore’s October issue cover spread lensed by photographer Zantz Han.
Vanizha Vasantha Nathan
Vanizha Vasantha Nathan is no stranger to the conversations surrounding beauty norms. At just 30-years-old, the Malaysian-Indian model has become a household name in the region. The journey, she shares, hasn’t been without its pitfalls. Vasantha Nathan is vocal about the discrimination she faced growing up because of her race and physical appeareance, which in turn, lent to feelings of low self-worth. A fateful model scouting on the campus of Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College in 2014, however, changed things beyond her wildest dreams.
Standing at 1.81m tall with long, jetblack hair, Vasantha Nathan proves a vision to behold. Signed to Archive Models, she has walked some of the most coveted runways in the world. Her most recent endeavour? Gracing the stages of Milan Fashion Week in 2022. As she continues to challenge the industry’s ideals, the model speaks to Vogue Singapore about visibility, body image and collaboration.
What, to you, defines the Southeast Asian voice?
The Southeast Asian identity is a unique one and for a long time we have been a small niche in a vast world. However, the more personal and cultural we are, the more global our visibility gets. In today’s climate and with our virtual borders being blurred, the Southeast Asian voice is the loudest it has ever been.
How do you think this voice has developed within the realm of fashion?
I definitely think the Southeast Asian voice is becoming more prominent in the fashion realm. Fashion designers are making their presence known on a global platform. There is more diversity when it comes to the models used in shows and we have representation in terms of size, skin tone and ethnicity. Though I personally feel we can go further, it is surely a start. Our fashion creatives are taking inspiration from their roots and marrying tradition with modernity. And the West seems to be looking to the East for inspiration.
“With widely admired covers like this one, we will continue to educate, remind, and unpack a topic that was once considered taboo.”
Why do you think the visibility of brown bodies in fashion is so important?
While we have come a long way, there is still a large percentage of people who discriminate against brown skin.With widely admired covers like this one, we will continue to educate, remind, and unpack a topic that was once considered taboo.
How do you hope to continue to push conversations surrounding representation and inclusivity moving forward?
These are some steps that can help promote inclusivity, in my opinion. Firstly, diversity in casting. Casting a wider range of models who represent various ethnicities, body types, ages, and gender identities can help ensure inclusivity. This will allow more people to feel represented and celebrated. Secondly, encouraging partnerships with designers and brands that prioritise inclusivity can have a positive ripple effect.
Working with a range of fashion labels and companies can showcase the industry’s commitment to inclusivity and inspire others to follow suit. Thirdly, promoting body positivity campaigns can help challenge unrealistic beauty standards and foster a more inclusive environment for aspiring models. And finally, encouraging conversations surrounding inclusivity and representation within the modeling industry is an important step, too. This can range from panel discussions and forums to social media campaigns aimed at addressing challenges and finding solutions together.
Rizal Rama
Hailing from Surabaya, East Java, Rizal Rama is quickly making his mark in Asia and beyond. Scouted just a year shy of graduating high school in 2017, the 23-year-old was armed with the task of putting his hometown on the fashion map. And that’s exactly what he’s done. In just a few short years, Rama has walked the runways of pivotal brands from Fendi and Comme des Garçons, lending to what the industry is calling the “renaissance of Indonesian models”. With a population of nearly 278,000,000, Indonesia boasts an ethnic background that is unparalleled in its diversity.
Rama boasts a striking and unique presence at 1.87m tall, with black neck-length hair and dark brown eyes. Armed with sharp yet delicate features, he also paints an androgynous portait—one that has afforded him the ability to pull off womenswear and menswear with equal ease. Here, Rama shares his thoughts on the vast heritage of Indonesia while honing in on the beauty of difference.
What, to you, defines the Southeast Asian voice?
It is the voices of indigenous people that express our culture, heritage and colours. We are also able to showcase our diverse ideologies through various beautiful artforms.
How do you think this voice has developed within the realm of fashion?
The world is starting to hear the voice of Southeast Asia. Many cultures from our region have great potential in the development of the current fashion industry.
“Difference is not a deficiency.”
Why do you think the visibility of brown bodies in fashion is so important?
The visibility of brown bodies is important because it is a move towards equality. Difference is not a deficiency.
How do you hope to continue to push conversations surrounding representation and inclusivity moving forward?
I hope we can respect each other more and agree to disagree. For me, as an Indonesian, we have so many different backgrounds, languages and mindsets. They’ve been there since day one and we just need to embrace and celebrate it.
Photography Zantz Han
Fashion direction Desmond Lim
Set design Angela Zhang
Producer David Bay
Make-up Marc Teng using Nars Cosmetics
Manicure Ann Lim
Hair Yuhi Kim using DunGüd from Woorailoora and Dyson Hair Pro
Models Rizal Rama, Vanizha Vasantha Nathan, Alexis Rose Cook and Serena Jane McNeill
Poem and recital Alfian Sa’at
Soundscape Excerpt taken from ‘Fidelity’ first shown at Aloft at Hermès (2018) by Jeremy Sharma
Kuala Lumpur (through the Malaysian Relief Agency), Ustaz Hamidullah bin Dudumiya with Razik, Zubair, Kamal, Faydullah, Sharifuddin, and Anamuddin in the Rohingya language
Johor, Jahan bin Tom in Slitar
Yogyakarta, Wahyuningsih in Javanese
Mixing Engineers Brandon Leo and Julien Leo
Photographer’s assistants Renjie Teo and Dennis Er
Fashion assistant Nicholas See
Make-up assistant Esther Goh
Hairstylist’s assistant Yue Qi
The October anniversary ‘Voices’ issue of Vogue Singapore is available for sale online and in-store from 10 October 2023.
