Model and fashion entrepreneur Cyii Cheng has always been one to challenge perceptions. BAZAAR sits down with the courageous talent as she shares her thoughts on bleached eyebrows, breaking barriers, and building her fashion brand, Ghostboy.
Photography by Bibo Aswan. Text & styling by Abdul Aziz Draim.
Cyii Cheng wears looks and accessories from the Gucci Spring/Summer ’25 collection throughout.
Dress; and Gucci Bamboo 1947 small top handle bag, both Gucci.
Not Your Average Start
But Cyii Cheng wasn’t always the confident, commanding presence she is today. “I felt ugly and undesirable before I started modelling,” she shares candidly. It wasn’t dreams of fame or gracing magazine covers that brought her to the world of modelling; it was her father, who signed her up for classes at 16 with the hope of improving her make-up skills, confidence, ability to walk in heels, and “learn to have better posture,” she says. “I still don’t.”
From small-time gigs to catalogue work, Cheng’s early career was defined by a sense of obligation rather than passion. “In the early years, I felt like there wasn’t much room to be ‘different’ as a model,” she divulges. “I took on jobs like bridal photoshoots, or girly blogshop catalogue jobs, feeling like I had to be somewhat palatable commercially in order to be a model in Malaysia.” Fortunately, the landscape of the country’s modelling industry has since evolved, as has her career.
Left: White zipped jacket; mini tulip skirt; high heel wedge mule, right: Grey wool mini jumpsuit with deep V neckline; Gucci 73 mini bucket bag, flat boot in black. All from Gucci.
Greater Diversity Now
Fast-forward to today, and Cheng is part of a generation of talents that is pushing boundaries, celebrating differences, and proving that beauty is far more multifaceted than the industry once allowed. The scene is alive with diversity—there’s a greater demand for local models, as well as a wider acceptance of petite, plus-size and trans models who challenge traditional perceptions of beauty. “Now I feel like there are more clients and directors that appreciate models that are not quite generic. These days I don’t get as much work that feels out of character,” she adds. “Of course, I still understand that being a model is about portraying a character that the project demands, but I’m happy to have some leeway to market myself how I want, with an agency that supports that.” Cyii Cheng is currently signed to the Models Lab KL.
Although our industry is evolving, there’s still a ways to go. “We’re still lengths behind other countries, and every model will inevitably be told ‘you should work overseas’,” Cyii says. “I admit, I’ve been on both ends of this conversation. Nevertheless, I’ve always looked up to models that were able to make a name and achieve fame from working in Malaysia, and always thought it would be cool if I could do that too.”
