LEGENDS OF THE RUNWAY

Iconic supermodels from the 1980s and '90s reflect on their careers and the art of ageing gracefully under society's critical gaze

- Lynette Ow

In today’s modelling landscape, star power is won and lost according to social media followings. In the mid-1980s, however, models had to earn their stripes at what was called a “fashion luncheon show”. This term has slowly faded from consciousness in the 21st century, but back then, corporate types and chic society knew it was no ordinary lunch. A fashion luncheon show carried a promise of being more refined and elegant than a casual lunch. It featured reed-slim, high-cheek-boned models walking down a runway, wearing the latest creations of local designers. Later on, in the 1990s, an additional high-tea format for fashion shows would become de rigueur as well. Within this world, six bright lights stood out: Cilla Foong, Adib Yasmin Aman, Hana Toolseram, Datin Catherine Lai, Bernie Chan and Tengku Azura Awang— the “it” models of the Eighties and Nineties. 

Outside the fashion luncheon shows, these six pillars of perfect proportions were also highly visible on other international fashion shows, TV commercials, editorials and brand campaigns, but one of them has ultimately emerged as the classy godmother of the Malaysian fashion scene.