Singapore
Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is a small and beautiful country that many models enjoy working in. The weather is hot year round, the jobs are pleasant, and there is also a good chance to earn money if you fit market demand. Singapore is renown for being a place where models can build a beautiful portfolio due to a large list of editorial clients, as well as very talented photographers.
Market Criteria
Clients cater primarily to Singaporean consumers, and hire models that Singaporeans can relate to. As such, most clients primarily will hire brunettes, Eurasian models, or “Eurasian looking” models, especially when it comes to commercial work. These types of models will find the most success in Singapore and in Southeast Asia as a whole.
Blondes can work in Singapore if they are very editorial and have a unique look. They can book runway, presentations, editorials, and events, but commercial work (where the most money lies) is minimal. In addition, the competition amongst blondes is high. Many magazines usually only like to use one blonde model for each issue in order to be sensitive to their target market: Singaporean women.
There are a lot of magazines in Singapore so technically there should be enough work to go around for all blonde models in town. However, this is not usually the case: if a model creates a lasting impression on one magazine from a main publishing house, she can end up working for multiple magazines multiple times and have a monopoly over them.
Age
For editorials, Singapore has a preference for younger models but age doesn’t play too big of a part as long as the model is slim, in good health, and fits the market criteria.
If the model is Eurasian or “Eurasian looking” and has become established in the Singaporean market, they can continue to model regardless of age. They may also have the opportunity to branch out into television, hosting, acting, etc.
Seasons
Singapore has two fashion weeks: May and September. Designers such as Chanel and Cavalli have shows held during SGFW, as well as local designers. Runway models can make a good sum of money during SGFW depending on how many shows they do.
For shorter girls the best months are November – December to travel.
Arrival info
After you arrive to Singapore at immigration – show the ‘work pass exempt activities’ documents when queried about the purpose of trip . Please print the emailed copies that you got from your agency and bring them along on your trip to Singapore. After you have to proceed to the taxi stand and catch a cab from there . Do show the cab driver the apartment map what you got!
Transportation
Metro
Models take the metro (subway) or the city bus in order to get to castings or jobs. Singapore is an incredibly small country so getting around is very easy. Unlike the intimidating metro line in London (UK)’ the Singapore metro (MRT) is simple to navigate as there are only four lines! Models can purchase an MRT card from most metro stations and put any denomination on it. Fifty dollars per week, depending on your number of castings, is usually a sufficient amount. Be sure to write down the number of your MRT card in case of theft or loss. This way, the MRT officials can cancel the card and give you a new one with your correct balance on it.
Taxi cabs
Taxis in Singapore are relatively cheap and the meter starts at about $3.00 SGD. Even though the cost is inexpensive, Singapore’s population increases largely each year – mostly due to expats – so be prepared to sit in traffic for a while during peak hours!
Note
When you’re waiting for a bus or if you’re trying to catch a taxi, you’ll need to hail it down by waving your arm. If you don’t flag the bus down it won’t stop for you even if you’re at a designated bus stop.
What to wear
As Singapore is high fashion Asian city, please wear simple models street style- it can be black jeans and shirt, simple black dress, if you are a fan of cute clothing style – don’t wear those kind of clothes in Singapore.
On the castings
When you come to the agency for a first time, bring something special from your country as a gift. The simple gesture of sharing something from your home will be greatly appreciated – think souvenir key rings, chocolate bars, and other treats only available in your country.
Beware of taboos if bringing gifts. Any products (food or otherwise) involving animals may cause offence and are best avoided, as are white flowers (usually reserved for funerals). Knives and clocks are also symbols of cutting ties and death, respectively, and some Chinese are superstitious about the number four. Also note that in Singapore, it is considered rude to open a gift in front of the person who gave it to you. Instead, wait till the person has left and open it in private. Many Singaporean Muslims and some Hindus abstain from alcohol.
On the casings be pleasant and smile as much as possible in the presence of clients as Singapore clients will only hire easy going, happy and compliant personalities!
As mentioned earlier, Singapore is renowned for being a great place for a model to build their book. The two main publishing houses in Singapore are Mediacorp and SPH. For most editorial castings, models will be going to either of these two buildings.
-Publications under SPH: Cleo, Cosmopolitan, Female, Female Brides, Golf Digest, HerWorld, HerWorld Brides, Icon, Men’s Health, Nuyou, Shape, SimplyHer etc.
-Publications under Mediacorp: Elle, FHM, Style, Style Men, Style Wedding etc.
-Other publications not under SPH or Mediacorp: Alexis, L’Officiel, Nylon, Revolution, Tatler, T3 etc.
Most tear sheets are also in English as well. As such, going to Singapore gives models the opportunity to earn European-looking tear sheets without having to invest in European travel.With the great clientele and talent in the country, Singapore has a reputation of being able to help launch a model’s career. Sigrid Agren, Monica ‘Jac’ Jagaciak, Coco Rocha, Melissa Tammerjin, are just some of the models who have gone on to top model rankings.
Singaporeans tend to be very kind people so it’s important that you are polite in return. Singapore is a very small country and the fashion industry is even smaller. If you’re acting rude or like a diva, word spreads fast and it could easily do permanent damage to your reputation in the market. If you are professional and polite, clients will rebook you again and again!