TWO of a KIND

These strong-minded women reveal their take on women empowerment, the power of happiness, and the perks of voicing out., Janice Low and Nicole Wong are dressed in Ferragamo's Spring/Summer 23 collection.

- SYAMEEN SALEHALDIN

For a short-lived stint, the blasting trope of women's empowerment was a taboo subject that was not highlighted enough. The hamster wheel eventually sputtered and ran out of fuel when a dearth of female role models started rejecting the centuries-old narrative that has pitted women vying for opportunities against each other. In truth and real life, perfection is sometimes unattainable, though that has never stopped Malaysian models Nicole Wong and Janice Low from going through unimaginable ordeals to excel in all corners of their life, remoulding the meaning of empowerment.

Despite the word 'empowering' being used so indiscriminately that it was in danger of losing its meaning, there are no other words to describe these tenacious women. When asked what empowerment means to them, they voiced out that it meant having control over their own lives and having the freedom of power to do whatever they want. Brimming with whirring energy, these women have democratically anointed themselves as self-made warriors, endlessly ricocheting strength and pushing the boundaries of success.

No strangers to change, Wong and Low have always taken the initiative to face their fears and dream a little dream. Even when extreme youth had its drawbacks, these women were never deterred from achieving their wishes and desires. It was never a picture-perfect moment for them, but they were still so lucky during those merciless years. "Growing up, I was a timid kid without any goals or dreams in life. But, after graduating from college, I knew I couldn't be like that anymore. I wasn't happy with myself, and I wanted a change," said Low. Not one to shy away from opportunities, the millennial never once stopped trying. "Even though rejections made me crash into my bed and cry almost every day, I still boosted myself up with confidence and just kept going," she said. All she did was focus even more on learning and doing her best to achieve an arc in her growth.