Htet Htet Wint sees a future for herself away from the catwalk.

WHEN big modeling events come around, one thing is certain: Htet Htet Wint, with her trademark pout, will be close by. The fashion stalwart has passed many milestones in her career and you could be forgiven for wondering if she will always be a model. She spoke recently to Time Out and told them the end is in sight.

TO: What are you working on at the moment?

HHW: I just took part in a Bossini fashion show last month and more recently a Kanebo show. But I think there are less events than there have been in the past.

TO: Are you worried about that?

HHW: Not at all. I am able to make living on this business alone. It does not matter even if there are no events at all.

TO: Which style are you crazy about at the moment.?

HHW: I enjoy wearing the bunk style, which is like wearing an overcoat. And I’m wearing a lot of skirts at the moment.

TO: Do you pay attention to fashion only because you’re a model? If you weren’t a model would you still be into fashion?

HHW: Model or not, I think I’d still be into it. I’m just interested in fashion.

TO: At what age did you become interested?

HHW: In my younger days my mum [a fashion designer] used to dress me up a lot. When I reached the age of 14,15 I began to decide more what I wanted to wear and became interested in fashion. And of course I would ask my mum to buy the clothes for me!

TO: Who are your favourite models?

HHW: Here, I like Mya Shwe Wah. And also Pa Pa Win and Christine.

TO: When you go on the catwalk, do you have to wear clothes that you don’t think match just because the designer’s tells you to?

HHW: I have to wear whatever the designer thinks suits me. It’s not my place, as a model, to be fussy about what I wear, my job is to wear what the designer tells me to. Models don’t have any choice.

TO: Where do you prefer to shop?

HHW: Singapore mainly and sometimes in Bangkok. I don’t really do shopping here.

TO: Do you think beauty and fashion should be something for people to strive towards?

HHW: I think a model should be pretty and fashionable. So, I have to be careful when it comes to that – when going out, you should make yourself pretty and presentable.

TO: Every time you go out, do you dress yourself fashionably?

HHW: Me? I’m pretty unpredictable so sometimes I dress smartly and sometimes I just go out as is.

TO: Who’s responsible for your hairstyle, make up and beautifying?

HHW: For make up, I rely on beautician Khin San Win. When it comes to facials and hairstyles I go to ‘The Salon’.

TO: Can you give us your personal views regarding modeling careers today?

HHW: Few people want to become models. They simply see it as a stepping-stone to realising their ambitions of being a movie star. So as soon as they become models they embark on a singing career and then star in movies. They don’t contribute to the progress of modeling.

TO: Why don’t you go over to the acting career? Don’t you have any interest?

HHW: No. If I embark on a career my ambition is to be the best. If I dabble in this or that I don’t think I’ll reach my full potential.

TO: You also watched foreign fashion shows. What are the differences with domestic shows?

HHW: Yes, I watched some foreign shows in Bangkok and Korea. There is a big difference to say the least. The models there are quite big, they are at least six feet tall. And they are professionals concentrating on a single career. They always make themselves pretty and work hard to get everybody’s attention.

TO: How much longer do you plan on modeling?

HHW: I’ve recently turned 25 but I think I’ll carry on modeling up to the age of 27.

TO: After finishing your modeling career, do you have other plans?

HHW: A career away from the catwalk but I can’t say for sure yet. I think it will be in the beauty and cosmetic business, maybe a fashion house or a beauty salon.