Ling Tan is Malaysia's very own success story on the catwalk. She talks to S.S. YOGA about her roots and her work.

POOR Ling Tan. During a recent interview via e-mail, she complained about the bitter cold in New York where she is based.

"It's been freeee-zzzzing in New York for the last three weeks. It was -10°C. When it snowed a few days ago, it was so beautiful but now all the snow has turned black on the sidewalk. I don't like the cold weather," revealed Malaysia's very own international supermodel.

If that's not "misery" enough for her, Ling (whose full name is Tan Mang Ling) and her younger sister Ein (also a model) had to work a week earlier during Chinese New Year. Both of them travelled together in Europe for some assignments (we should be so lucky).

Ling Tan clad in a grey Armani suit. Behind her is a poster of her in an Emporio Armani perfume advertisement. Her sultry looks have shot her to fame in the modelling world.

"Ein was working in Paris and I was in Milan. I went to a Chinese restaurant there with my friends to celebrate," and she added that she had to pop over to Paris to report to the agency they both share there, Elite Models. In New York, she is represented by IMG Models.

So how did this Gombak-born lass with the fashionable single name end up in the Big Apple? Well, her story is the stuff dreams are made of.

This "tiger" girl (she was born in 1974) was studying art and design at a private Malaysian college when she embarked on a modelling career in 1992. Her "too Chinese" looks were considered an obstacle locally. However, while she was waiting for a friend at a hotel lobby, she was "discovered" by New York producer Danny Wolf who slotted her for an advertising campaign for Tiger Beer. Wolf was the producer of those "fate-defining" beer ads. Success in the local front ensued and she went on to become a runner-up in the 1994 Asian Model Search finals.

You could say it was also a happy coincidence that Malay-sia's international renowned New York-based designer Zang Toi was a judge at that event. He was so impressed with her that he introduced her at his Spring/ Summer 1995 fashion show in New York even though Ling was too late for the fittings. Ling's command of English was not so good then and Wolf guided her along. He eventually became her boyfriend and adviser.

The rest, as they say, is history, as she went on to become the first internationally acclaimed Asian model. The fashion world went wild over her pouty lips, high cheekbones and face that could be changed at will, and the 177cm model's elegant, graceful walk.

All the big designers and fashion houses were won over by her charm and prowess on the catwalk. Famous photographers like Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, Ellen Von Unwerth, Gilles Ben-simon, Patrick Demarchelier, Jean Baptiste-Mondino, Michelangelo di Battista, and Richard Avedon queued up to capture her magic on film. Ling graced the covers of top fashion and lifestyle publications in the world, and became the face behind commercials like YSL, Prescriptives (she was the first Asian model to have a cosmetics deal worldwide), Gucci, Guess, Emporio Armani and even La Poste, France's postal service.

You know she has made it when she was featured with the Who's Who of supermodels in George Michael's video of the humungous 1996 hit, Fast Love. Ling's star status was sealed when she appeared in the mega-popular cable-series Sex and The City as herself.

Origins

It is hard to imagine that this was the same girl who grew up in nondescript Gombak with her parents and sister, along with an extended "family" of three dogs, a cat, birds (parrots and magpies), goldfish and chickens.

Her mother was a tailor and, as a child, Ling would sometimes get her to tailor clothes for her from one of the fashion magazines.

Ling said that even back then, she had dreamed of being in fashion and travelling around the world. Ling noted that her most memorable experience was being part of Yves Saint Laurent's farewell tribute show in Paris in 2002 where she wore a 1962 "Smoking Tuxedo" from his first collection. Ling also acknowledges the prestigious Pirelli calendar shoot by the legendary photographer Richard Avedon as being the catalyst that propelled her career to new heights.

Ling is proud to be Malaysian and takes great pains to emphasise her beginnings. Our girl says she doesn't want to give up her Malaysian citizenship and insists that she can still sing our national anthem (Negara Ku) without missing a beat.

"Since I am ethnic Chinese, the Westerners don't really understand that I am Malaysian, but I enjoy explaining Malaysia's multi-cultural society to them. All the articles about my career explain my Malaysian heritage. And everyone I meet gets a lesson on Malaysia," said the committed spokesperson.

Ling Tan in a Guess? shoot.

She often describes Malaysia to everyone as the most beautiful country in South-East Asia, and how it is an example to the rest of the world that people of different cultures and religions can live together in peace, harmony and prosperity. You go, girl!

Ling misses Malaysia very much and the last time she returned home was three years ago. So it was comforting when her mother and Ein visited her in New York two years ago. Apart from her family and friends back home, Ling said she craves for Malaysian food, the countryside (as she spends most of her time in big cities) and the beaches.

"I am on a strict Asian diet (if it can be called that because she apparently eats like us "normal folks"!), and I love Malaysian and Chinese food. My favourites are roti canai and teh tarik – they help keep away the homesickness. I also drink two to four litres of mineral water every day.

"I go to all the Malaysian Chinese restaurants in New York (Chinatown), London and Paris, and it's also to get dim sum. I hang out with Malaysian friends in New York like Zang Toi, Chris Ong (interior designer), Ban Leow (restaurateur), Gillian Hung (Malaysian designer) and Kevin Woon (hair stylist)."

Stepping out

Ling is one busy girl as she is frequently going from airport to airport, something which she said keeps her fit. She only has the chance to go to the gym "when I am free in New York." Her schedule is so full that she has agents in seven countries. Ling added that her fax and computer are essential equipment for the business.

Ling has a reputation for working hard and being reliable. At the same time, she comes across as a very down-to-earth person despite her "super star" status. Ling said the days of the supermodel were in the 1980s and 1990s, and now everyone is just a model who has to work hard. She is certainly not one for the party scene and she tries to keep to a sensible eight hours of sleep a day. You may occasionally see her at events, and that's only because it's work-related.

During her free time, Ling likes to play the tourist and check out places of interest. She also enjoys going to theatre and musical shows, and museums. When friends and family visit, she happily plays the role of tourist guide.

Don't be surprised to see Ling with a digital video camera in tow, should you bump into her in the Big Apple as, these days, she's making short films. Currently, she is studying film-making and she records everything that happens backstage during the shows she appears in. As for her non-working wardrobe, the key words are casual and comfort.

Sometimes, she even gets together and sings with four of her fellow models in a group called Jungk (put together by the quirky producer Malcom McLaren himself) and the songs sometimes have them mouthing things in Hokkien to dance rhythms!

After more than 10 years in the modelling scene, Ling dispensed this advice: "To be successful internationally, you must travel to the fashion capitals of the world and try to work with great designers, photographers and stylists. It's very important to build a portfolio and have good pictures. One way is to work with up-and-coming photographers and stylists, and develop your portfolios together. Good English is also important.

"You also need to learn quickly that there will be rejections for every model, even the top girls. Just move on and don't think that it is because of your race as the scene is now big enough for all sorts of models."

Ling intends to continue modelling as long as she is still wanted by the industry. She feels it is important to show that beauty is not just for the young.

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