Leather jacket & skirt; belt; jabot; and calfskin boots, all RALPH LAUREN COLLECTION.

Staying Grounded

Perhaps more significantly, Nair is acutely aware of her role as a representative of Malaysian culture on larger stages. “Malaysia is such a melting pot of cultures, and I think that’s something to be celebrated on a bigger stage,” she emphasises. “Representation matters—not just superficially, not just for myself, but for others who want to see someone that reflects their own identity and background.” Yet she’s equally determined that her work transcends regional boundaries: “I want the work I do to not just be good by Malaysia’s standards, but to hold its own anywhere in the world.”

This ambition is grounded in realism about the industry’s demands. “One common but big misconception is that modelling is all glitz and glam,” she notes. “People don’t always see the hours of waiting, the endless fittings, or the fact that sometimes you’re basically treated like a human mannequin—being yanked, pinned, and adjusted into place. It’s a lot of work, but that’s also what makes the final product so rewarding.”