Eldon
Chim
Joe said, “I had never thought I would be a model when I was a child. I always wanted to be a policeman.”
Joe became a policeman when he was 20 years old. During his six years on the job, he became a member of the Very Important Person Protection Unit (commonly called as “G4” unit) of the police force.
Protecting important officials did not excite him, however.
“I started to get bored after working for years,” he said.
“One of my friends suggested I try out a casting for a modelling agency. I agreed.”
He began working as a part-time model for the agency in 1992. A year later, he quit the police force to lead the life he enjoys now.
Joe said he likes seeing many eyes focusing just on him.
“I really feel like I am the one,” said Joe, talking about his catwalk experience.
Joe has taken different types of jobs thoughtout his nine-year modelling career, but he likes doing catwalks the most.
“It feels more relaxing. I can add in my own interpretation and my unique style on how to perform in the clothing,” said he.
“I can express myself best onstage. More importantly, I have control over my performance.”
He also has many opportunities to try different fashions when doing catwalks. His favorite clothes, however, are suits.
“Suits give me a comfortable and cool feeling. My masculinity is further revealed when I am wearing suits,” said he.
Joe sometimes even buys the clothes that he has modelled.
His satisfaction also increases as his workload increases.
“It is the easiest method to measure how well you are performing. If you are doing well, you definitely get more jobs,” said Joe.
However, he was not always so comfortable onstage. During his first live performance on the catwalk, he was extremely nervous.
“I kept looking at the schedule of the fashion show and learned intensely how I was going to perform with the first set of clothes, the second set and so on,” said Joe.
“It is like an athlete waiting at the starting line.”
Joe said he is successful because he has confidence in himself.
“When I am on stage, I like to give a feeling to the audience that I am the perfect man.
“In a way, I always have to persuade myself to believe I am the best,” he said, laughing.
Apart from his confidence, he said that his commitment to the profession has made him better than other models.
“I am punctual for the jobs I have. I can fulfill the demands of the directors and designers and work with full effort in every job,” said he.
A sense of music and rhythm also gives Joe an edge.
“Various styles of music require different techniques in performing,” said Joe, who is now learning to play the violin.
“You have to walk with the rhythm of the piece of music,” said he.
Although Joe loves being a model, he does not consider it to be a life-long profession.
“Especially for male models, it is impossible.
“The income of a model is not sufficient to sustain a living. The development is not broad either,” said he.
Therefore, Joe prefers being a part-time model.
“I can choose only those jobs that I am interested in and happy with,” said he.
Working as a model is not always magnificent, however.
“It would become a routine job if you worked for a long time,” said he.
The preparation and working procedures of different fashion shows are repetitive and time consuming.
“I also feel the same when I perform for the same brands every season,” said he.
“I’ve started to reduce my workload and choose only the jobs that I feel like I desperately want to do.
“That depends on the types of clothes and the people I will be working with.
“Sometimes I work without pay, just to offer help to friends,” said he.
“I begin to treasure the enjoyment from working with people that I am happy with, and not merely the job itself,” said he.
He also considers modelling jobs as opportunities to gather with friends.
“Then I can continually seek pleasure from working as a model and keep on doing it,” said Joe.
