Eye Of The Tiger: Aisyah Aziz, Jasmine Sim, And Tabitha Nauser In Onitsuka Tiger SS2020

On her plans for 2020: 

Last year, I spent a lot of time on Kin, which is a long form drama. I also had the opportunity to do a few projects in mandarin, and work with new brands. This year, I'll still be on Kin. I do enjoy acting, and would like to experience different things. Kin is stable, and yet the storylines do move quickly so things are still fun. The model in me does enjoy doing photoshoots like this - because I get to take a day off and express myself in different ways. 

On self-love:

A lot of it, for me, is rest at home. I can't keep big pets because I stay with my family, so I started a small aquarium. I can spend an hour just watching the fish swimming - it's relaxing and almost therapeutic. I also do cross-stitching. It's something I used to do, before I stopped for a while. And I've just started again. I don't do it regularly, but when I am stressed, I journal - I'll write about why I'm feeling a certain way, or why I shouldn't be feeling like that. Sometimes, things are just a certain way, and we just have to accept that. 

On caring more for the Earth:

I believe in each person contributing in the small ways that they can. I bring my own cup and utensils, for example. Nowadays, I buy and consume less - I buy pieces that I will wear for some time, and if I get sent makeup, I tend to share them with friends. For me, it was always an ideal. Recently, I went to Perth, and once I got back, the bush fires started to happen. So it certainly fells more "real" to me now, and it makes me more mindful. 

On being able to work with the girls:

We first met each other in Bangkok last year, when Onitsuka Tiger brought us on a trip there. It was my first trip with a brand, and with the girls, and it was really fun. 

On her plans for 2020:

I'm releasing my first EP this year - it's something I put a lot of time, effort and money (laughs) in to. I started writing it about a year and a half ago, and I'd say it's a collaborative piece of work, which made me grow a lot, and also leave my ego at home for a while. It's a live sessions EP - it just felt more comfortable for me, and it's a little more old-school and analogue, just like me!

On self-love:

I actually take 7-minutes of me-time before something big happens or before meeting people. Before a social event, or even in the car, I take a moment to breathe and meditate. No thoughts, just breathing - it can be hard, and sometimes I fail. And for me, self-love is also about nutrition and mindfulness. Yoga really helps. I try to do it at least three times a week. There are times when I even do it twice a day - in the morning, and at 9pm. It's also about the relationships you keep, and learning about yourself. Because often times, you are doing things for people more than for yourself. 

On caring more for the Earth:

I've definitely become more "minimal" when it comes to consumption. In 2018, I took a solo trip to Europe, where I visited London, Amsterdam, and France. I realised during that trip that I just had too much baggage - both physical and emotional. I used to be such a hoarder too. And then of course I made a shift - I started doing flea markets to clear out my things. Now, I am wearing my old stuff, swapping things with my friends, and shopping a lot less. 

On her plans for 2020: 

This is the year that I will be stepping out and taking risks. I do love my job, and I love Singapore - I have the job that was my dream job since I was a kid. But nothing has really been exciting me for a while, and I feel too comfortable in my space. So I want to take a leap and grow. The plan's already in motion - and later this year, I'll be relocating, to reach markets that I want to reach. I've had conversations with labels in LA and there is an agreement. It's scary and exciting - I haven't been so excited in a while, so I think that must be a good sign. 

On self-love:

I feel self-love is a personal journey - everyone's is different. And if you don't believe in something, it won't happen. Growing up, like most mixed race kids, I struggled to fit in and had to "prove myself" all the time. I wanted to fit into the Indian community, and also the Swiss community. That messes with how you view yourself when you're young. Later on, I became happy just being myself. Everyone struggles with a different thing - I suppose with social media these days, more youths struggle with their image, and think they have to look a certain way. I think it's important to find self-acceptance, find out what you're good at, and surround yourself with people who want to help you. 

On caring more for the Earth:

I've always been an outdoors girl. When I was young, my family and I would take walks in the woods or do hikes. In the future, I want my kids to go out and be able to do what I did. These days, I no longer buy things in the spur of a moment. I want to get things that I will use for a long time, and it's important to be able to reuse pieces. I also find vintage shopping fun, and it could be one way of reducing mass production.