Unbridled Ambition: Introducing Malaysian model Elana Nair

Model Elana Nair on finding her stride, embracing her roots, and the art of becoming.

Photography by Chuan Looi. Concept & art direction by Khairani Ramli. Styling & text by Abdul Aziz Draim. Elana Nair wears looks and accessories from the Ralph Lauren Collection Fall ’25.

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Off-the-shoulder pullover; satin skirt, both from RALPH LAUREN COLLECTION.

 

Current Obsessions

Away from the spotlight, Nair’s interests reveal a multifaceted personality. She’s currently obsessed with Love Letters Of Great Men by John C. Kirkland, red infrared therapy light, and “a box of Mevius slims … #Balance?” Her musical tastes span genres—currently rotating between Qendresa, Gunna, and Young Thug—while her cinematic preferences lean toward mood-driven features. “I can’t pick just one favourite movie. For now I’ll give you my top four: La Piscine (1969) for the mood, The Secretary (2002) for the edge, The Lover (1992) for the romance, and The Ugly Stepsister (2025) because sometimes you just need a twist on a good classic.”

When pressed about her biggest strength, Nair’s answer is tellingly humble: “I’d say my biggest strength comes from the community I have—family and a handful of good friends. But honestly, most of it comes from my boyfriend, Mathias. Having that kind of support really shapes how strong you feel.”

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Currently the creative director of BAZAAR, Aziz has been helming architecture, fashion, and design magazines for two decades now, and he’s been doing it in two languages to boot. Citing Rei Kawakubo, Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier as his earliest fashion gurus, this amateur poet believes that nobody deserves an ugly pair of shoes.

Creative Director