A master of her destiny, Malaysian IT model Lisha Ho is doing things her way &mdash; and it&rsquo;s working.

The ease with which Lisha Ho can switch personas in front of the camera is impressive. Her foray into the modelling world was fortuitous. Simplified, the story goes like this: a stylist noticed Lisha at a beauty pageant and the meeting would prove to be the start of an illustrious career, marked by a flurry of opportunities that took Lisha to the world&rsquo;s fashion capitals &mdash; such as Milan, London, Shanghai and Hong Kong &mdash; with each destination becoming a dynamic piece of cultural immersion, allowing her to unravel the threads of many settings and weave them into her particular fabric of self-expression.
Lisha describes fashion as a consonant blend of art and identity that echoes with the beat of creative voices. When the spotlight falls on her, she fully entrusts the brilliant brains of the team that she works with to cast their magic. More than just an occupation, she revels in the sheer thrill of cultivating her style when she puts together sartorial choices that resonate with her distinct aesthetic preferences. A glance at her Instagram reveals a compelling world where relaxed elegance seamlessly mixes with a touch of retro charm, culminating in a visual symphony of sophistication and flair.

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How does Lisha view the unrealistic beauty standard set by the industry? &ldquo;For me, beauty is diverse. During my time as a model in Europe, I observed a wide range of diversity in terms of ethnicity, skin tones, styles, body shapes, heights and even age,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;While it&rsquo;s true that in some Asian markets, there is still a preference for young and skinny models, I have noticed that certain countries have begun to change the rules of the game.&rdquo;
Now, at the age of 31, Lisha remains an indomitable force in the industry, fearlessly pursuing her passion and staying true to what she loves. The faint lines that are beginning to characterise her face are not viewed as imperfections but rather as exquisite markers of a life well-lived, a testament to the invaluable experiences garnered in an industry where youth often reigns supreme.

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Fashion is a form of art that evolves with time. How do you see yourself contributing to the ever-changing landscape while pushing boundaries?
I see myself aligning with the ever-changing nature of fashion. Just as fashion transforms over time, I too embrace a constant process of exploration, learning and pushing my boundaries. This approach allows me to let the passage of time craft the remarkable milestones of my journey.
Is the industry as fiercely competitive and cutthroat as people think? 
Yes, the fashion industry can be very competitive, but I approach it with a positive mindset, and I always believe that everyone has their unique characteristics and there&rsquo;s always enough space at the table. To my fellow models, stay focused, embrace your uniqueness, and most importantly, be you. Do whatever you&rsquo;re passionate about, enjoy it, and have fun!

Having been called out for its lack of representation in terms of race and body size, how do you intend to be an advocate for inclusion and diversity?
I&rsquo;m committed to leveraging my social media platform as a powerful tool to support and encourage the beauty of every body shape and race. I also wholeheartedly believe that the industry should embrace diversity not only in skin colour but also in body size. I am happy to see that the scene is adapting and loving different bodies and races more as compared to when I first started working as a model. I do believe that it&rsquo;s just a matter of time for us to appreciate who we are, and to love ourselves and our bodies regardless of race and shape! We are all beautiful humans with beautiful souls, after all.
How do you maintain a positive body image and encourage others to do the same?
I promote mindful eating and a balanced diet because I was once trapped in a harmful cycle. I understand that it was detrimental to both my physical and mental health. There was a time when I strived to appear thinner in front of the camera by restricting myself to one meal a day and engaging in excessive daily workouts. This took a toll on my mental and physical well-being, leading to eating disorders and hormonal imbalances. Now I prioritise a normal, mindful environment and regular exercise, which has brought me inner peace and harmony with my mind and body. Of course, this routine has put my hormones back on track and brought my period back. FYI, I was in menopause for five years.

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What are your thoughts on how fashion is frequently chastised for negatively impacting the environment? 
I find joy in accepting new fashion pieces, but I am also very interested in adding vintage clothing to my collection. While working in Europe, I would usually visit these stores during my free time to revitalise second-hand garments and give them a &ldquo;new&rdquo; purpose. This practice, in my view, not only infuses a sense of novelty into my wardrobe but also serves as a great move in the fashion industry&rsquo;s environmental footprint. It&rsquo;s a small step towards reducing the criticism directed at the industry for its environmental impact.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance and take care of your well-being?
I typically begin my mornings with meditation to establish a positive mindset for the day ahead. I dedicate around half an hour to centring myself, focusing on my body and its sensations, which effectively sets a positive tone for my morning. During my commute to work, I also find solace in listening to some of my favourite music, which helps alleviate stress. As for my diet, I strive to maintain a balanced and healthy diet as much as possible, and I always keep a protein bar inside my bag in case I have no time for a proper meal. Besides that, I make sure to balance my lifestyle by spending time with my friends and family. I love having a nice dinner and catching up with them, which brings a sense of fulfilment to my life.

"I believe that today&rsquo;s audiences are more inclined to appreciate those who boldly showcase their unique qualities and authentic personalities. Being honest and staying true to yourself naturally, without the need for excessive control, is the key."

What do you do to prioritise self-care and mental health in the face of the industry&rsquo;s demands?
For me, self-care and mental health are non-negotiable, especially when going through phases of confusion, self-doubt and insecurity. I remember there was a period when I found myself crying for no apparent reason almost every day. I believe I was on the verge of depression; I withdrew from social interactions and felt like I was constantly wearing a mask of happiness, even though deep down I knew I wasn&rsquo;t truly happy, despite being booked for numerous jobs. I was overwhelmed and exhausted. I had neglected my mental health entirely, solely focusing on work and earning more money. I used to be a relentless workaholic, rarely taking the time to listen to my body&rsquo;s needs or allow myself to rest. All this negligence eventually led to a red flag warning from my body. So now, there&rsquo;s nothing more important to me than my physical and mental well-being. Here are my top three tips: reduce screen time, embark on a social media detox, and take a leisurely walk to connect with the body and refuel the soul.
When figuring out how to be authentic while still presenting yourself professionally on social media, what factors should be taken into consideration?
I believe that today&rsquo;s audiences are more inclined to appreciate those who boldly showcase their unique qualities and authentic personalities. Being honest and staying true to yourself naturally, without the need for excessive control, is the key. I enjoy sharing my bare-faced moments, casual attire, and skincare routine, among other things. This allows me to connect with my audience on a more personal level, and I also find it to be more comfortable and liberating for me. It&rsquo;s a win-win situation.

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Fashion models are often seen as role models for young people. How do you see yourself empowering the next generation and fostering positive change?
As a fashion model, I see my role as empowering the next generation and fostering positive change by leading by example. I&rsquo;ll promote diversity, body positivity and inclusivity within the fashion industry, showing young people that they should embrace their uniqueness. Additionally, I&rsquo;m committed to mentoring aspiring models and young individuals, helping them navigate the industry&rsquo;s challenges.

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 Our November 2023 "Pop and Art" issue featuring Malaysian model Lisha will be available in selected major bookstores and newsstands in Malaysia and online on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.magzter.com/SG/AMTD-Digital-Media-Solutions/L%27OFFICIEL-Malaysia/Fashion/">www.magzter.com</a>.
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 Cover Credits:
 Photography&nbsp;Lock Chee Wei Creative Direction &amp; Styling Colin Sim Words&nbsp;John Ng Makeup Sharman Yee Plika Makeup Hair Richmond Tan All outfits and accessories DIOR All jewellery CARTIER 
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Cover Girl: It's time for Lisha Ho to shine

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