PETALING JAYA: Following in the footsteps of Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh and singer-songwriter Yuna, is supermodel Vanizha Vasanthanathan, a name to watch in the world of fashion.
Standing at an impressive 1.81 metres, this local talent has made history as the first Malaysian Indian to grace the cover of Vogue magazine.
Debuting in Vogue Singapore’s anniversary October issue alongside Indonesian model Rizal Rama, Vanizha’s presence is magnetic.
This step up the fashion ladder places her in the illustrious company of fashion legends Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss who have adorned the pages of this iconic magazine.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle shortly after the Vogue cover made its debut on social media, Vanizha admitted her initial disbelief when told about being chosen.
“When I received the email about the Vogue cover, I thought it was a scam,” she shared with a laugh, adding that the feeling of excitement only sank in when her flight to Singapore was booked. “Then I knew, alright, it’s happening!”
At 30 years old, Vanizha is no stranger to international recognition, having made waves with her Milan Fashion Week debut in 2022, and gracing billboards worldwide with Sephora’s international beauty campaign in 2019.
Vanizha acknowledges that while she approaches every project with the same determination and effort, the Vogue cover shoot holds a particularly special place in her heart.
“Since the day I started modelling I’ve always thought, ‘I want to do this for my people. I want to represent my country,” she shared.
Vanizha’s journey is a clear example that modelling goes beyond mere looks, leaving a lasting impact on her life.
“Growing up, I was not confident about myself at all; my colour, my height, any of it, because I always thought that ‘fair is beautiful’. That’s what society taught us,” she added.
“But modelling changed my life. It changed the way I saw myself.”
Vanizha, now celebrated for her rich complexion, stands as a rarity in the South East Asian modelling scene, actively challenging norms and reshaping contemporary beauty standards.
A journey that started eight years ago, Vanizha’s story reads like something out of a movie.
She recalled: “Back in college, a fashion student asked me to be a model for her project. I was confused at first, wondering what she saw in me.”
It was during that college fashion show however, when a photographer spotted the young Vanizha and later introduced her into the world of modelling.
From that point onward, there was no turning back as Vanizha fully embraced modelling at the age of 21. And, what struck her the most was her parents’ response when she broke the news to them.
“I come from a very traditional Asian family, so I was surprised when my parents were immediately very supportive of my career choice,” she recalled.
And their support hasn’t wavered to this day.
“My father wakes up early, sometimes as early as 4am, to prepare breakfast for me and drive me to castings or shoots,” she shared with a smile.
While her first step into the industry may have been a stroke of luck, her current success is primarily due to her continuous hard work in an industry riddled with challenges.
“I remember during my time in Milan, I was comparing myself to all the other models. Some taller, some slimmer. I actually went back to my apartment and cried for a while,” she shared.
But this trailblazer revealed that what keeps her going is knowing the impact she’s making on people in her own small way.
In fact, Vanizha still remembers one touching message she received when the Sephora campaign launched. She recalled: “A girl messaged me, saying: ‘Finally, I see someone who looks like me on a billboard’.”
The supermodel emphasised that these words, though from a complete stranger, held a profound meaning for her. “When I was at my lowest in life, this is what pushed me to keep going. That’s the reason why I give my 101% with modelling, and I will continue to do so for as long as I can.” - FMT
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