10qq with fiona fussi.

Referred to as "confident," "leggy," "fresh-faced" and "stunning" by the number of publications she's graced, Fiona Fussi isn't one you can miss. Whether you recognize her from magazine covers like HerWorld/Nylon Singapore, you happened to be taking a stroll through Ion a couple months ago only to see Fiona posing in a Kikki.K paper dress, or - get this, you happen to have spotted her face on Singapore's public buses, Fiona has achieved leaps and bounds after her 2011 victory of Elite Model Look Singapore. After a life-changing experience at the Elite Model Look World Finals in Shanghai, Fussi returned to Singapore and, quite simply, took the modelling scene by storm. With thousands of loyal followers on each of her social media platforms and a career that has made her a local household name, dubbing her "Singapore's Sweetheart" suddenly sounds like a vast understatement. Read on and find out more about what it's like to live in Fiona Fussi's shoes!

Photo credits to Fiona Fussi/fussi.com

1) What was your first modelling experience?

My first experience was at the Elite Model Look Singapore 2011 competition, I had never done any modelling before that. 

2) What made you apply for the Elite Model Look competition in Singapore?

I had always been interested in the entertainment industry, being in front of the camera, communicating with people; whether it was modelling, singing, acting or hosting. I first saw a Facebook page about the competition which intrigued me, and because there was an application process where I could apply on the website in the comfort and convenience of my own home, I decided to apply online. 

3) Tell me about your time in Shanghai during the World Finals:

It was such an amazing experience, the best way to describe it would be a hundred times better than camp. To have 60 girls from different countries come together for a common ambition and to be the first person to represent Singapore in Elite Model Look was pretty incredible! What surprised me the most was how open and kind many of the girls were, especially the girls in my chaperone group. We were sorted depending on the continents we came from - the ‘Asian’ group ended up becoming a family!

The Finals was at the Mercedes-Benz stadium with 1,500 people watching, so I learnt some tricks and tips about making sure heels that were too big for us didn’t slip off! My linguistic skills also came in handy when speaking to make-up artists and hair stylists from  from different places and cultural groups. The toughest part was probably leaving Shanghai and saying goodbye to my friends. Even though I made friends from different parts of the world that I still keep in touch with, it was definitely the hardest to leave my ‘Asian’ group. We all became sisters, and when we left the hotel one by one there were tears and hugs, it was very bittersweet.

4) How did you get involved with the Audi Fashion Festival?

The Managing Director of Audi was interested in having me as the face of the Festival; he thought I was fresh and well suited for the role and he believed in my potential. It was a great experience and an honour to be able to walk in all of the Future Fashion Now shows because it was my first professional show and I got to work with amazing designers and models. 

5) You were on the cover of NYLON Singapore and HerWorld Magazine (twice!) - What was that like?

I really enjoy doing cover shoots because I love to see the final product in stores, and I actually get to see where all my hard work has gone. Even though they are pretty short-term since they’re only up for a month, I think it’s a great privilege to be the cover or face of a magazine.  

6) Juggling high school with a full-on modelling career must be difficult. What do you do to relax? What's the hardest part of balancing your two separate worlds?

To relax I like to hang out and have sleepovers with my best friends, watch TV shows, sing or go for a run or swim. The hardest part of balancing my modelling and high school life is definitely having the energy to do both. In the beginning I thought the biggest issue would be having enough time, but after that, I’ve realised it’s also physically having enough energy to wake up at 6am, go to school for 7 hours and then have a 5 hour shoot, and then do homework afterwards! I managed to walk in the Audi Fashion Festival during my IGCSE exams, but I can already predict that managing my IB diploma with modelling will be even more challenging. 

7) Who do you have to thank for helping you come this far?

I would thank the Elite Model Management Singapore team for believing in me and presenting me with so many opportunities, especially my booker, Bonita, who has been incredibly kind and understanding towards my schedule. Also, my mum and dad who allowed me enter the Elite Model Look Singapore competition in the first place - without their support I wouldn’t have made it this far. I also would like to thank my friends at school for being so encouraging and positive towards all the new assignments I’ve been doing and everything I’ve been going through.

8) If you could change anything you've done in your modelling career so far, what would you change?

I am very happy with the course my modelling career has taken, but if I could change something, I would somehow find a way to have made it to Paris Fashion Week Fall-Winter 2012, because I was given the opportunity to, but had to reluctantly turn it down because it was during a school week. 

9) What would you christen as your proudest moment in your modelling career so far? 
It would have to be my first magazine cover, which was my Her World March cover, or being chosen as the face of Audi Fashion Festival 2012. 

10) Any advice for aspiring models?

I would say that if you’re doing it for the right reasons, and you know that it’s not as glamorous as it seems, you should believe in yourself and keep trying because anything is possible.

+ Check out Fiona's agency Basic Models here, and like their Facebook page here too!
+ [sponsored link] Lusting for some quality/affordable apparels? Check out Melrose Medley!