Confidence and poise
When China first opened its doors to the world, models from Taiwan and Hong Kong were equally competitive. But Hong Kong models generally avoid staying in the mainland for extended periods, preferring instead to flit in and out like dragonflies on a pond. In contrast, Taiwanese models tend to be more willing to rough it and are more adaptable. Taiwanese models have frequently remained in Beijing and Shanghai for long periods, quickly making names for themselves there and doing much to raise standards for mainland models. Wang Guihua is full of praise for Chen Ssu-hsuen, who was the first Taiwanese model signed by his New Silk Road Model Agency. "Chen's professional skills, the demands she makes of herself and the respect she shows for the agency have provided Beijing's models with a 'model' they can learn from," says Wang. In addition, Chen has a "cat-like face" with a very modern feel reminiscent of Cameron Diaz. Although she is "only" 176 cm tall, that look and that professionalism have made her China's top model in just one year.
Chen remarks, "In a fashion show, the emphasis is on poise, and poise grows out of self-confidence." She says that for her, confidence has been something she has accrued from years of professional work, and which allows her to shine even among the many much taller models who also work Beijing's runways.
The smiling Chen goes on to say that Taiwan's models receive high marks around the world for their seriousness about their work. "People who make it as models in Taiwan are as tenacious as cockroaches." She notes that Taiwan's models train in performance, fashion and makeup; they are never late; and they bring their own accessories (socks, stockings, gloves, etc.). In short, they are skilled in all the "arts of war." In fact, it can be fun to watch the models arrive at fashion shows in Taiwan, because when they do, they come bearing not only their makeup kits, but also such a quantity of shoe boxes that they would need eight hands to carry them all.
When Chen first arrived in Beijing, she was treated with so much respect and consideration that she was thrown for a loop.
"Often, right before taking the stage, you'll hear someone say to the director in a coquettish voice, 'I don't have a thong. What shall I do?' Someone working on the show will then take care of the situation as if it were totally natural. In Taiwan, that kind of model would be given the boot."
Chen says that models are shown a great deal of respect in the China market. But the flip side to this coin is that with little discipline, young local models don't really have the opportunity to mature. China's agency system hasn't really matured either; so local models have to spend a lot of time handling public relations with their clients and their management. Those who make it do so not on the basis of their professional skills, but on the relationships they've built. Taiwanese models, on the other hand, have their agencies handle all the management issues, and instead focus their energies on keeping up to date on fashion and preparing for shows, an approach that has jolted the mainland's modeling scene.
Children of Taiwan
The success of Taiwanese models on the mainland stems not just from their professionalism, but also from a disposition fostered by the open society in which they grew up. Huang Chih-wei's victory in the New Silk Road Model Competition is a case in point.
At the time of last fall's competition, Huang was still a student at a technical college and had been modeling for less than one year. Although he was relatively tall at 191 cm, he wasn't very muscular. But from the moment he climbed on the runway, his disposition and deportment simply outclassed those of the competition.
Wang says, "Huang was both more vivacious and more dignified than his competitors from the mainland. When he dealt with the media, he did so with assurance and poise."
"It's probably a result of Taiwan's more open society," says Huang. "Its young people are more confident, more able to put fashion news to good use and find their own style." According to Huang, he was a star athlete in school and was therefore used to "being liked." Moreover, sports fostered a "winning attitude," and provided him with his first trip overseas. Huang took to travel like a fish to water: "I got to have fun and won a medal."
The business of fashion is much like the business of entertainment-both are "people industries" that emphasize shrewdness and a sense for the visual. In opening up the China market, Taiwan's modeling agencies benefit not only from their models and technical staffs, but also from a common language and culture, which gives them a distinct advantage over their American, European and Japanese competitors.
Many futures
Currently, all of the mainland's modeling agencies are state-run. Elfland, which is the first Taiwanese agency to move into the mainland market, is therefore taking a "soft" approach, putting aside agency work for now and instead focusing primarily on producing product shows.
According to Ivan Lam, "China's hardware-the stages, lights, sound systems, etc-is all world class, but their technical people aren't able to exploit its potential; Taiwan's technical people have become their main source of support." He goes on to state that Taiwan's models have had little difficulty making names for themselves in China in this early stage of its development, and their success has helped the modeling agencies ramp up their operations more rapidly than had been expected. Late last year, Elfland leveraged its modeling agency and training experience to acquire Shanghai's East Asian Modeling Agency's business license. The company now anticipates becoming the mainland's largest agency within five years.
Supported by the growing mainland market, the outlook for the modeling profession is bright, and Taiwanese models leaving the profession now have options besides film and television. Chen Ssu-hsuen, for example, hopes to become a professional fashion-show director.
Chen says, "Right now, furthering my career on the mainland involves understanding the environment so that in the future when I am directing shows, I can better meet the needs of the market." Chen's agile mind and knowledge of her field are serving her well in a profession where, contrary to expectations, success requires more than just a pretty face.