Faces To Watch

Project M winners Naomi Huth and Abduaziz Mirzayokub look back on their journey to the top and share their next steps.

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First impressions first: Eighteen-year-old Naomi is confident and articulate, all sunshine and smiles. On the other hand, Abduaziz (“You can call me anything – Abdu and AB are all okay”) comes across as a slightly awkward, gangly teenager who’s trying not to trouble anyone, despite being 24 and possibly the more experienced model between them. Start clicking, however, and it’s immediately clear how these two got to the top. Naomi starts to sizzle with every pose, while Abdu is all dark curls, chiselled cheekbones and intense, smouldering gaze – definitely deserving of a place in one of those high-end menswear catalogues.

WHY PROJECT M

Hailing from Uzbekistan, Abdu is currently pursuing a marketing degree. Asked why he joined the competition, the former freelance model says: “I wanted to try my luck and also use it as a platform to improve in areas where I’m weak.”

The eldest daughter of a German father and Singaporean Chinese mother, Naomi saw Project M as a chance to meet new, like-minded people. “The description of the contest really captured my attention. When I found out about it, I immediately knew this was something I wanted to try out for and it really was a life-changing experience.”

STRIKING GOLD

“I always win,” is Abdu’s simple answer. He’s quick to clarify that he doesn’t mean that in a bragging sort of way: “I work for it, you know? Things don’t just happen, you’ve got to work for it.”