This top local model's career started by chance 16 years ago.
The Mum-of-one says: 'My sister and I were playing dress-up when she took my picture and sent it to Teen magazine. They gave me a call and it all started from there.'
Since then, Simon has done shows for the likes of Chanel and Louis Vuitton. However, she is best known for winning the Ford Supermodel of the World Singapore contest in 1995.
For this year's SFF, Simon was involved in five shows.
How does it feel being one of the few local models involved?
Of course, I'm happy and honoured.
What's your favourite SFF show?
Wow, I can't pinpoint just one. Different shows have different outfits and each outfit is beautiful in its own way.
Any funny or embarrassing incidents since becoming a model?
At one show, our grand entrance involved going down the escalator. During the finale, I was in front. I lost my footing and tumbled down it.
How did your first time on the runway go?
It was a bit scary. I had a jacket to take off and I was fiddling with the buttons, trying to make it look effortless when deep down, I was really panicking.
One thing people should know about you is...
That I'm a nice person.
Sheila Sim, 24, 175cm
This part-time student at the Marketing Institute of Singapore has come a long way since being talent-spotted at the age of 16 at her aunt's wedding in Hong Kong.
Today, her portfolio boasts work for brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Fendi. And last month, she did a shoot for the global ad campaign of much-feted London-based Singapore designer Ashley Isham.
Sim was in 10 shows for this year's festival.
How does it feel to be one of the few local models involved?
It's fun because backstage, we speak Singlish and share Singaporean jokes that the other models don't understand.
What's your favourite SFF show?
I really enjoyed working with Kevin Carrigan, ck Calvin Klein's creative director.
Any funny or embarrassing incidents since becoming a model?
If you have to know, I tripped. I was on stage and I couldn't walk so the security guard had to carry me backstage.
How did your first time on the runway go?
Terrible. The show producers probably really hated me because I was so inexperienced and looked scared on stage.
One thing people should know about you is...
That I'm very proud to be a Singaporean.
Nora Shereen, 22, 175cm
Although the Singapore Management University student is more focused on her studies than photoshoots and catwalks, she is still one of Singapore's most prominent models.
Winning the 2003 Ford Supermodel of the World Singapore contest shot Shereen to stardom, but she adds: 'Choreographers who are willing to use local girls helped a lot.'
Shereen - who has modelled for uber names like Jean Paul Gaultier and Valentino - was in four shows at the SFF.
How does it feel to be one of the few local models involved?
It's definitely an honour.
What's your favourite SFF show?
I enjoyed doing Ashley's show (Singapore designer Ashley Isham) a year ago. I'm proud of the work that he's done.
Any funny or embarrassing incidents since becoming a model?
I did a shopping centre show way back and I really needed to sneeze so I posed, turned to face backstage, sneezed and turned back around. It was probably one of the funniest things I've ever done.
How did your first time on the runway go?
One of my first few shows was for Dior and I felt that I wasn't really prepared for it. The better models were teaching me how to catwalk before the show.
One thing people should know about you is...
That I actually like food.
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Apr 10, 2008.
