Nadia Rahmat

It started with an Instagram photo Nadia posted in 2014, auditioning to model in Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2015 ad campaign for Marc by Marc Jacobs. The 26-year-old Singaporean succeeded in her quest, beating out some 50,000 other hopefuls in her ascension to fashion’s top table. Her unconventional beauty and striking looks have set her apart in the fashion world, and she is now being represented by Upfront Models Singapore and London’s Nevs Model Agency. Still, some detractors have called Nadia “so ugly” and have even compared her to a “ghost”. Rather than be shaken, Nadia remains positive. “All I hope is for people to see beyond their preconceived notions, and that there’s more to being human than the mere colour of your skin or how you look like on the outside,” she muses.