CHASE the SUN

Janice Low and Aria Ma talk modelling, fashion and personal goals in CHANEL's Californian-inspired Cruise 2024 collection.

How do you feel about gracing the cover of L’OFFICIEL Malaysia’s Dec/Jan 2024 issue?

JANICE: I’m very grateful to the L’OFFICIEL team for putting me on the cover for my favourite holidays, and allowing me to share my story to mark the end of this year and the start of a new one.

ARIA: It’s definitely an honour! To be able to wrap up 2023 and kick-start 2024 with L’OFFICIEL Malaysia, I feel really grateful to the team for giving me this opportunity.

Let’s go back to the start. How did you get started in the modelling industry?

JANICE: Growing up, I had friends who told me that I should be a model. Back then, I didn’t think I could be one, but deep down in my heart, those words were like a seed, growing slowly. In 2015, when I was working as a barista in a cafe, a friend convinced me to join a modelling competition called I Wanna Be A Model Season 6. Fun fact: During my audition, I was asked to do a short catwalk in my highest heels and I ended up tripping not once but three times [laughs]. Anyway, I went and tried my best, and the whole experience exceeded my expectations. I was the champion of the competition and that was how I started my modelling journey.

ARIA: When I was in university, a friend of mine, who’s already a model, was gracious enough to introduce me to the industry.

Both of you are currently based in a foreign country. Can you share your experiences and how different they are from your home country?

JANICE: The biggest difference for me would be having a lot more time for myself when I’m travelling. When I’m not working, I usually spend most of my time alone, and sometimes I do feel quite lonely and homesick. To this day, I still haven’t gotten used to it!