Tatler ASIA'S MOST STYLISH

What sets the truly stylish apart from those who simply follow trends? Meet the honourees on the fourth edition of our Asia's Most Stylish listfrom one of the biggest rising stars in couture today to the city's most discerning tastemakers

- Cherry Mui

READY TO ROCK

The rising movie star speaks about future roles, motherhood and what it takes to represent Hong Kong in fashion and in film 
Words : Cherry Mui

Before Louise Wong made her movie debut portraying one of Hong Kong’s best-loved stars, Anita Mui, she wanted to represent her city and heritage through fashion. At the age of 16, Wong embarked on her modelling journey by winning the Asia Pacific regional contest of Elite Model Look—the same international contest which has launched the likes of Cindy Crawford and Gisele Bündchen—and remains the only HongKonger to achieve this accolade. She was soon booking gigs throughout Asia and in Europe—one of very few internationally recognised Asians in the role. “Opportunities for Asian models were scarce; the most well-known Asian model before [my time] was Du Juan. I have always admired her ability to embody both fashion and commercial appeal with elegance, and her ability to make a lasting impression on everyone,” she says.

But finding work was not easy. “Even designers would honestly tell you, ‘We like you very much, but we can’t put you in the campaign.’ It can be quite frustrating and make you question whether it’s really that difficult. I refused to believe it was, and was determined to work harder. I wanted to represent Hong Kong: I believed that there could be Hong Kong fashion models who could make a mark in the industry.”