Silken Chu started modelling in her second year at UBC.
At the time, she assumed that she would only do it through university and then quit.
Four years later, at 23 years old, and signed with a bevy of worldwide agencies including Richard鈥檚 Models in Vancouver 鈥� Chu said she has no plans of slowing down.
鈥淢odelling has opened me up to so many incredible adventures that I would have never experienced otherwise,鈥� she explained, adding that the job has allowed her to visit beautiful cities all over the world.
鈥淢y all-time favourite will always be Hong Kong. It reminds me of home in a way. Hong Kong is a perfect blend of city-scape and landscape, with skyscrapers right next to hiking trails and beaches,鈥� Chu said.
For Chu, home is 91原创; she鈥檚 a graduate of Brookswood Secondary School and a former Fraser Valley Ringette player.
鈥淚 actually used to deliver newspapers for the 91原创 Times, back before they became the 91原创 Advance Times,鈥� Chu laughed. 鈥淏ack when I was 12 years old, my best friend and I used to tour the Brookswood neighbourhood and deliver these papers to every house. It鈥檚 a fond memory, so this feels very full-circle to me.鈥�
Her modelling career also began in the area, starting with companies like Herschel Supply Co.
鈥淲orking with local brands is always so special to me, since it feels so personal. I think that the Fraser Valley has its own unique fashion identity that comes out in the brands that originate here,鈥� Chu said.
鈥淥ne notable job that I had recently was for Telus. We made a strange mix of fashion film and public health advisory,鈥� she added. 鈥淚 think you have to see it to get the full effect of what that means.鈥�
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Since then, Chu has modelled everything from rain jackets to wedding dresses 鈥� even designer clothes. Right now, she鈥檚 on a contract in Singapore where she鈥檒l be living for the next three months.
鈥淪o far, I鈥檝e been lucky enough to work with brands such as Valentino, Dior, and Charles and Keith,鈥� Chu elaborated. 鈥淪ingapore is a beautiful city with some of the most delicious food I鈥檝e ever had.鈥�
The fast paced 鈥� often unimaginable opportunities that come with the modeling life are not lost on her either. She said the surprise career has opened up many doors for her, and for now, she is just enjoying the ride.
鈥淲hile my main attraction towards modelling was travel, I do enjoy the job itself! Each day on the job is entirely different, with different photographers, clients, stylists, hair stylists, and makeup artists. It鈥檚 an extremely collaborative effort to create an advertising campaign or magazine editorial,鈥� she said.
For anyone dreaming of becoming a model, Chu stressed that the job requires a degree of mental fortitude and self-awareness that most jobs don鈥檛 need.
鈥淚 would advise aspiring models to consider whether or not they are secure enough in their identity to not allow the fashion industry to hurt them,鈥� Chu advised.
鈥淲hile I have always enjoyed modelling, I know that making your appearance your career can be very damaging to the self-image of many young girls,鈥� she continued. 鈥淒on鈥檛 ever take it too seriously! At the end of the day, it鈥檚 just a job.鈥�
A selection of Chu鈥檚 work can be viewed at .
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