“Runway is fantastic because it is so high energy. Anything can happen, anything can go wrong, and everything can be phenomenal.” — Brent Chua
ISSUE: Fall 2011
DEPT: Personalities
STORY: Shirley Lau
Brent Chua’s inimitable look graces designer clothing ads and high fashion catwalks.
Killer abs, a signature Mohawk and a fabulously fierce mug have made Chinese- Filipino American model Brent Chua a hot commodity in the modeling world. The 26-year-old now calls East Village in New York City home, but he used to spend his days traveling around Europe and Asia, strutting down the runway for Versace and Gucci, and starring in ad campaigns for Macy’s and United Colors of Benetton.
“Creating images for editorials or fashion houses with talented individuals is an amazing experience; [I’m] constantly trying to bring something new,” says Chua. “And runway is fantastic because it is so high energy. Anything can happen, anything can go wrong, and everything can be phenomenal.”
That anything-can-happen mentality was what actually started Chua on the road to fame. He was spotted by a fashion show producer in a club — at this point he’d never even considered being a model — and his career skyrocketed. In 2004, he was voted Male Model of the Year at the Singapore Fashion Awards.
So why is Chua’s look so sought-after? It may well be his androgynous mien, epitomized in a series of photos where he’s donning a blanket of feathers and a hot pair of heels. Chua’s a bit more philosophical about it. “Your perception of yourself seems to basically be a gathered perception of what others have thought of you and made you aware of,” he says.
Whatever it is that makes Chua supermodel-worthy, it doesn’t seem to affect his down-to-earth perspective on life. He recognizes that modeling isn’t a lifelong career, so he wants to reverse roles and become the man behind the camera.
“I really enjoy taking photographs so it would be great to keep doing that,” he says. “I find a lot of inspiration in cinema and reading and observing the passersby in the city.”
— Shirley Lau
More stories from Audrey Magazine’s Archives here.
‘Cause it was awesome!
Here are some of our favorite parts of the night.
The Venue
Audrey’s makeover of the Petersen Automotive Museum was a complete success. The already gorgeous showroom was enhanced with lavender gobo light strewn across the walls. Our only gripe may be going all the way to first floor just to use the restroom but if you can’t make the trek, you didn’t really need to go anyway.
Star-studded Red Carpet
Lots of celebs popped up on the red carpet, including The Bold and the Beautiful’s Ashley Jones (pictured above), C.S. Lee (Dexter), Youtube makeup guru Michelle Phan, and Amy Hill. Non-celebs also made plenty use of the bright orange Audrey backdrop, posing like the inner-divas they are throughout the night.
Justin Chon
The Twilight star stole the show not once but TWICE when he took the stage hosting the celebrity runway portion of the show. First, he gave an endearing speech honoring and celebrating the Asian American woman and then he took off his shirt to reveal some bright red nipple tassels and short jean shorts. Talk about making a fashion statement!
Fashion
You must be 5’10″ and 100 lbs. to pull this Mik Imik dress off but we still think it’s super pretty.
The outfit on the left is SO HOT. The bowler hat, the red lace rights, the fluffy scarf. Jotting it down for our Christmas wish list. And the fur vest on the right is furr-ocious. Paws off to designer Jenny Han.
Pop Up Booths
We loved being able to check out what we saw on the runway right after at the designer pop up booths. That way, fashion like Jellypop shoes (above) can go straight from the runway to…your feet!
Goody Bags
Let’s face it, we’re Asian. We love free stuff. The packed Audrey’s Night Out goodybags reciprocated our feelings quite nicely.
Friends
Meeting new people while hanging out with old friends are the key benefits to Audrey’s Night Out. Whether mingling, networking or flirting, there were plenty of people from the 1000+ guest list to chat with.
Open Bar
Hey, we had a long, hard month working on this night, okay? Thanks Ketel One and Stella Artois for making it all that much better.
Photos courtesy of Karla Ticas. What were your favorite moment from the night?
After months of preparation, the night finally came!
…and left.
Audrey’s Night Out was an indubitable success and we have been overwhelmed with all the love, laughter, fun, fashion and Ketel Ones shared throughout the evening and then after.
Full-on updates will be posted over the next couple of days but in the meantime, let me share with all of you who couldn’t make it (and those who did but still want to stare at pictures of themselves) some great places where you can catch snapshots of the night:
- Asia Pacific Arts, Hey Do You, Femme Photog and Wrecked Stellar talked fashion.
- Attic followed celeb fashion show host Justin Chon and ogled the hot models.
- Hot celeb model Lynn Chen ogled the food.
- Audrey Night Out’s superwoman producer, Chriselle, finally got some sleep.
Many more updates from our stellar media guests will come in over the next few days (they’re all still recovering from the unlimited Ketel One and Stellas from the night).
If you attended the show and have pictures and words to share, share them here!
Model Liu Wen in Oscar De La Renta, Spring/Summer 2011 show.
It’s an exciting time for Asian Americans in the fashion industry. At the Council of Fashion Designers of America early this year, all three awards for the best new designers of the year were awarded to Asian American men; Richard Chai for men’s wear, Jason Wu for women’s wear and Alexander Wang for accessories. The New York Times wrote an article about Asian Americans climbing the fashion industry ladder. And it just warms our hearts to see the influx in fashionable Asians at New York’s Fashion Week.
Audrey contributor Tamae Ishii scoped out the scene in NY earlier this month and brought to us a bevy of beautiful and stylish people, even writing a piece on the Oscar De La Renta show (pictured above).
Below find more of some of fashion’s fashionable elites including Kelly Choi and Joe Zee of Elle. (Click on shots for closeups).
Even though fashion week is over, you can still get your fix for fashionable Asians at Audrey’s Night Out 2010. Only two more days until show time. Buy your tickets now!
Oooh we are just getting so excited for Audrey’s Night Out this Thursday! We’ve been ransacking our closets for some stylish somethin’ somethins to wear.
What about you? Excited to come watch the fashion show and mingle with the stars? Wanna BE in the show? Here’s your chance!
We’re looking for fashionistas to become the next AUDREY GIRL by sending in their favorite looks to our fabulous fashion show producer Chriselle’s facebook page or tweet her @chriselletweets by September 21st, 12:oo noon central time.
The most stylish cat will get to purr on the runway for Audrey’s Night Out alongside celebs and fashion models. Will it be you?
Well, we sure don’t think it’s going to be us.
Audrey's own Sample Girl.
Happy sitting in the audience to enjoy the show? Buy tickets here.
