Exam does not stop Wafa from winning model search

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SITTING for SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) examinations did not deter Wafa Johanna de Korte from coming out tops in the female category of the Asia Model Festival Awards New Face Model Search — Malaysia 2011.

Standing tall at 176cm, the 17- year-old wowed the judges and guests with her exotic looks thanks to her Malay-Dutch parentage.

“I have always wanted to be a model. I have been modelling on and off since I was five, for advertisements and commercials, but this is my first competition and I am thrilled to have won and represent the country.

Top four: (from left) Wafa, Soo Xu Ze, Kurt Chin Ke Liang and Kao Yu Ling will be representing Malaysia in in the annual Asia New Face Model Search in Seoul, South Korea next year.

“Since I was sitting for my exams, the organisers were kind enough to schedule boot camp slots to accommodate my exam dates which I am very grateful for. The boot camp has taught me a lot about being a model from top to toe,” said Wafa.

“Like every model, I see myself going international in the coming years and hope this will be the stepping stone in my modelling career,” she added.

In the male category, 20-year-old Soo Xu Ze came in first place.

The 186cm TAR College logistics and supply chain student was encouraged by friends to join the competition after he won first place in a similar competition in college.

“Now that I have found my new talent, I will definitely continue to sharpen my modelling skills and hopefully pursue the career on the side while continuing my studies.

Striking poses: The seven female finalists looking elegant in couture wear by Amir Luqman.

I am thrilled to have won and hope to make Malaysia proud in South Korea next year,” he said.

Both walked away with RM100,000 worth of prizes.

Second runner ups were Kao Yu Ling (female category) and Kurt Chin Ke Liang (male category).

The top four winners will be representing Malaysia in the annual Asia New Face Model Search in Seoul, South Korea next year.

Also present at the grand finale was renowned Malay­sian shoe designer Datuk Jimmy Choo.

The finale emceed by Daphne Iking at Zouk Club, Kuala Lumpur, saw the finalists displaying three different runway walks.

The female and male finalists first paraded beach wear by Roxy and Quiksilver respectively, followed by casual wear by Salabianca and Philosophy Men and finally, couture wear by Amir Luqman for the females and Keith Kee Couture for the males.

Before the finale, all 14 finalists were put through a month-long boot camp featuring live auditions, makeover session, personal training on posing by supermodel Amber Chia, photo shoot challenges, training on runway walks by homegrown catwalk guru Benjamin Toong and other boot camp challenges, as well as making their presence known to the industry’s key figures at the opening party of Malaysia International Fashion Week (MIFW) 2011.

The winners were chosen based on 30% from SMS votes, 30% from their boot camp performances and the remaining 40% on their performances during the grand finale by the judges comprising Chia, Toong, and invited panel of judges from Korea — Korea Model Association chairman Yang Eui-Sig, Korea Pro Makeup Association president Ahn Mee-Ryu, and renowned Korean actress and model Lee Hwa-Seon.