Pretty girls pulling on gloves is nothing new, but not only is model MIA KANG set on becoming a champion in the ring, she’s also on a mission to empower young women, says Georgina Safe.
MIA KANG is enjoying a Muay Thai and yoga retreat on the southwestern tip of Phuket when Harper’s BAZAAR calls. “I’ve had a really hectic 12 months with work, so I just wanted to chill out away from the world for a bit,” the model says.
Hectic is right. After winning Sports Illustrated’s 2016 Swimsuit Model Search, Kang spent 2017 travelling the world and starring in campaigns for Guess, Triumph, Chanel and Nike. She has a master’s degree in finance from the University of London, did a stint as a commodities trader and, most impressively, she’s a professional Muay Thai fighter. Kang is on a mission to prove models can have it all: strength, beauty, intelligence and confidence.
“There is a huge difference between a model and a role model,” Kang says. “We need healthy models for the next generation of women to look up to. There needs to be a more realistic and accurate representation of women in the fashion media, and so I made the decision to be the change I wanted to see.”
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