Clover
Agencies
Mother Agency (MA): Massardo Model Management
Toronto/Montreal: Lang Models
Milan: Major Model Management
Barcelona: Miah Management
Los Angeles: Aston Models
Cape Town: Base Model Agency
Answers to Q&A
Why did you want to become a model?
I love FASHION. I love the madly creative and ever-evolving nature of the fashion industry. And it is not OK to not be a part of it. I always believe Fashion is not just about clothing; it's a form of self-expression and what we wear reflects our cultural identity, values and desires. Fashion is also a form of fine art. As a person who started painting at an early age, over the years I was not only influenced by great painters but also great designers, such as Hussein Chalayan, Vivienne Westwood, Rei Kawakubo... I learned a good artist should be daring, push boundaries and challenge norms. And being a model gives me the opportunity to be a part of this fascinating industry and brings me closer to those creative minds. I had my reasons to start modelling. And ever since I started, there are a million more reasons to keep modelling: the beautiful souls I encountered at work, the mind-opening trips my work took me, the confidence I built... I am very grateful for the journey modelling has taken me on.
What makes you special?
Every tiny bit of me. The courage I had to come to a new country to pursue my dream, the determination in me when I make major decisions, the original thoughts I have in my mind, the tenderness of my heart, the tendency to stay true to all my feelings, the appreciation of the moment I live in, the acceptance and proudness of who I am… No one else is this combination. I am special and I embrace my uniqueness.
What are you passionate about?
I have too much curiosity in me, I am deeply passionate about learning and immersing myself in diverse cultures. I love travelling to exotic destinations, reading literature in foreign languages, and engaging with people from different backgrounds.
I find joy when I see the delicate connection between things. For instance, when I learn a new language, I think it not only reveals the value, but also the humour within each society. In my language, we would describe a real friend as “风雨与共“ (someone would go through the storm and rain with you), and in German, they say ”durch dick und dünn” (someone who will get skinny and get fat with you). It is a great feeling to be able to understand different cultural expressions and the wit behind them.
My favourite thing to do when I am on a trip is to make new friends and listen to their stories. I find that everyone’s life is an impressive tapestry woven with threads of sweet and bitter, triumphs and challenges, love, and loss…
I like my little hobby, it creates paths for me to appreciate the richness this world offers. The world is my oyster, which I with sword will open.
Who is someone you admire and why?
There are a lot of people I find inspiring, but one in particular that I would like to talk about since his story has not been heard by the public. Shuai Tang is a lawyer in China, the first lawyer who speaks sign language. There has been a long history of political injustice, cases that involve people with disabilities have been treated unfairly and handled carelessly. Many innocent people were put in the cell, for crimes they never committed. And they have no way to defend themselves, due to the language barrier. So I am very very happy to see finally someone who works very hard to make sure those voices are heard.
What would you like to see changed within the fashion industry?
I love this industry in many ways, but I have to admit that the fashion industry also highlights some complex issues. Of course, I can see some problems are getting better and this industry is evolving at a fast pace, it is starting to embrace inclusivity and diversity. I see different body shapes and people with different backgrounds being represented. But I think there is one topic that is not talked about enough: cultural appropriation. The power dynamics are unbalanced, I often find elements of one minority culture are “borrowed” by another powerful popular culture without any type of permission or proper understanding of their value and history. It leads to misunderstanding and minorities will lose their voice. I would like to see fashion having more respect towards unpopular cultures.