Having come from a small fishing village in Malaysia, Chia’s is a real fairy tale story that proves dreams can come true if you truly “focus to achieve your goal”
Model Amber Chia first rose to international fame after winning the Guess Watches international search for a brand ambassador in 2004, with over 600 competitors from all over the world. From then on, the 33-year-old has been a firm fixture on magazine covers, TV shows and even the silver screen, having starred in a number a films including the famous 2006 release Possessed, a Chinese horror film set in Malaysia. Her most controversial shoot to date was without a doubt the famous Playboy Indonesia spread. Even though the pictures were non-nude they were still met with a great deal of criticism, although Chia has always defended them as “tasteful, stylish”.
“I never look back and my moto in life is always to move forward, and never regret,” states the model.
Amber is a striking beauty no doubt, but it is not only her bee-stung lips or her protruding cheekbones that make her an entrepreneur a success. Her soft nature, strong personality and definite drive to succeed have all helped to bring her thus far, from her humble beginnings.
“Being a super model is not only about physical beauty. The key is attitude, professionalism and a willingness to learn,” says Chia.
The model’s rags to riches story is a well-documented one. Born to Chinese parents in a small fishing village in Malaysia, her childhood
was not an easy one. The third of six children and daughter of a fisherman, the family lived with such difficulties that at one point Amber was forced leave her family and move in with a foster family, as did her two elder siblings.
After returning to live with her parents, she helped her father with his fishmonger business every morning before school, all the while dreaming of a better life. Finally, the ambitious teenager bought a ticket to Kuala Lumpur and embarked on her quest to success. “Modelling was my dream since I was seven. I moved to the capital city to kick start my career when I was 17.
It’s always been my dream and now it has come true,” gushes the model.
But it still took five years of struggling in the city before Chia hit the modeling jackpot, winning the Guess ambassador competition. Since then she has walked for luxury brands such as Gucci, Versace and Christian Dior. In 2009, Amber moved to New York to attend the renowned New York Film Academy. It was then that she became the talk of the town during New York Fashion Week, and was handpicked by Victoria Beckham herself to be one of four models to show her exclusive couture presentation.
“Life is always about ups and downs. All those different experiences have led me to the top,” says the model about her rise to fame.
After returning from New York, Amber started “Amber Creations”, an events management and film production company, and a year later opened her very own modeling school, the “Amber Academy”, which she hopes one day might evolve into a college.
“I started my business five years ago, and I believe that for whatever business you do, you always have to be focussed. I believe that beauty is not long lasting and when there’s the right timing for you to move to another level, you just have to move on,” comments Chia about one of her motivations to start her own business.
Amber often talks about the difficulties she faced as a young model trying to make it big in KL, which is where the idea of the academy to help young aspiring models came from.
“To start a fashion and beauty academy has always been a dream of mine. I wanted to pass on my 16 years of experience to the next generation,” she explains.
Her book Guide to a Successful Modeling Career, which is more of an autobiography, also talks about her ups and downs starting out in the business.
“A lot of people want to know how a village girl can fulfill her dreams. Hopefully this book will motivate and help them achieve their dream too.”
After over 15 years in the modeling industry, Amber is still going strong, rivaling younger models in the business. She was even nominated for Model of the Year at the Asia Fashion Awards 2014.
Now a mother of one, Amber takes her health seriously.
“Health is the key to life before anything else. When you are healthy, you can manage everything well,” she says. “I’m a carbohydrate diet kind of person and I love to exercise. Yoga has always been my favourite”.
Chia has a lot going for her, but the ambitious star still has plans to expand both in business and at home.
“I would like to start a new business in the fashion and beauty industry this year, so stay tuned! And to have a baby girl too,” she adds. And her top piece of advice: “For everything you do in life, you have to be focussed and enjoy every moment. And always believe that if you never try, you will never know”.
