Photography by Hazmiljapilus. Styling by Abdul Aziz Draim. Suganya and Nina Amin wear Tiffany Lock bracelets and assorted jewellery from Tiffany & Co. throughout.
Comrade in arms Nina Amin and Suganya of The Models Lab KL lead us into a brand new year with our digital cover editorial for the month of January 2023. Bangsar-born Nina Amin, now 27, began modelling at the tender age of 16 and has since lent her serene beauty and elegance to beauty campaigns for brands the likes of Duck Cosmetics, and Young And Glow, as well as fashion campaigns for labels the likes of Mimpi Kita, Lilit, Jovian Mandagie, and Anaabu, the latter of which she is a mainstay. (She even came to the shoot looking chic in the brand’s Ireng skants).
Newer to the industry, in a short time Penang lass Suganya, 25, has already established herself as a favourite for high fashion editorials and runway presentations thanks to her sharp features, strong walk and natural affinity for creating dramatic poses. Now residing in Perak as she pursues a bachelor’s degree, her diehard commitment to her vocation was evident as she boarded the 5 am train from Perak to Kuala Lumpur to make it for our shoot, all fresh-faced and energised.
Ready to embrace the new year, the two talented models talk to BAZAAR as they take us through their personal modelling journeys, their hopes for 2023 and the strong bonds that define who they are today.
On Suganya: dress, Nurita Harith; shoes, Gucci. On Nina Amin: dress, Afiq M. Jewellery, all from Tiffany & Co.
ON MODELLING
When did you start modelling?
Nina Amin: It all started because of my sister actually (Shout out to Nana). She was an editor for a magazine and urgently needed a model at the time because the model that she initially booked had cancelled at the last minute. So she asked me to help her out. I was 16 at the time and had no idea what modelling was all about. I was scared to say yes because I didn’t know if I was cut out for it. But I really wanted to help my sister out, so I told myself to just go for it.
Fast forward to a few months later and one opportunity led to another as one designer asked me to model for her collection. Honestly, I was shocked because I thought the shoot with my sister would be the first and last. But to my surprise, it only brought me more amazing opportunities. Who would’ve thought that this 16-year-old secondary school kid could become a model and now signed to an amazing modelling agency, The Models Lab KL. Life does work in mysterious ways.
Suganya: I started modelling only early last year, in January 2022. After a long journey of constant contemplation and doubt, I was fully determined to start modelling when I was 23 years old. But my luck ran out because the very same year, our country was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, I kept my dreams on hold. Then last year, I made up my mind to try venturing into modelling again and on the very same day I decided to do so, I saw a post on Instagram about a casting call. Instantly, I felt like it was a calling so I applied and a month later, I was already a part of a warm and welcoming family, The Models Lab KL.
