Top Malaysian model Vanizha is out to reshape representation in the industry

The Star

a day ago

For Vanizha Vasanthanathan, representation goes beyond tokenism: it must be rooted in genuine commitment and cultural respect.
The model and classically trained Odissi dancer who broke ground as the first Malaysian Indian to grace the cover of Vogue Singapore has modelled at Milan Fashion Week and numerous other international runways in the past decade.
As one of the few dark-skinned models (sometimes, the only one) hired for many of these events, Vanizha is aware of what it means to truly be seen.
"Inclusivity is not a trend, it's actually a responsibility," says the 31-year-old Kuala Lumpur native. "Rather than focusing on tokenism or just ticking off a box, it goes beyond that."
In fact, one of the reasons she became a model was to break beauty standards and to represent people who look like her.
"Because when I was young, I didn't have anyone to look to, and I think nowadays, young girls do, because a lot of dark skinned models are coming up, and not only Indians, but other ethnicities," she says.
It is when she reads or watches interviews with young models and they name her as an inspiration that she feels like she has made an important contribution to the industry.
Closer to home, she feels like a lot more can be done not just in terms of diversity, but to raise the profile of local models. — Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The Star; Max Mara; Hair & makeup: Vanizha Vasanthanathan
A journey of pushing boundaries
In both fashion and dance, Vanizha projects a quiet but powerful presence – one that challenges today's ideals of beauty while celebrating her own individuality.
For our cover shoot, she poses with confidence and ease, but this wasn't always the case.
"It took years for me to become who I am, to be confident in myself. It didn't happen overnight," says Vanizha, who was first spotted at a college fashion show before being approached to model by local designers.
The daughter of a retired medical officer and homemaker, Vanizha didn't particularly enjoy her school years, often finding herself the subject of mockery due to her height of 181cm and skin colour.
"Before I started modelling at the age of 21, I was not at all confident about myself, my skin tone, my height," she says. "And when I started getting booked for jobs, then I realised that there's something special about me.
"When I started slowly being proud of my skin tone and embracing it, it was like 'Okay, I own it', you know? I would say modelling changed my life and the way I look at myself," says Vanizha, who also modelled in China, India and Jakarta before Milan came calling.
Having trained as an Odissi dancer under the tutelage of renowned choreographer and dancer Datuk Ramli Ibrahim, this discipline gave her somewhat of an advantage in her modelling career.
Dancing, which she started at 15, provided her with better posture, flexibility and confidence, giving her more range which allowed her to model comfortably in both dance outfits and elaborate creations by designers.
Perfectly comfortable performing on stage, walking the runway and gazing into the camera lens, it is close family and friends that help keep her grounded.
"My family, and now my husband, they have always been supportive. At the beginning, I didn't have money to even buy proper heels or clothes or makeup products and my family, especially my father, have really supported me," says Vanizha, who has three older siblings.
"My husband, who is a pilot, has been very supportive. Whenever he has a day off he follows me to shoots," adds Vanizha, who tied the knot with David Abraham Pakianathan in May.
Being the change
Seizing good opportunities that came her way and honing her skills through the years has brought Vanizha to where she is today, and she believes that real change in the industry is slowly – but surely – underway.
"Even for me, it took 10 years to get where I am, and while things are not rapidly changing, they are changing for the better," says Vanizha.
When she first started out, merely having one model who looked different from the others in any given show was an anomaly, but today, more agencies, brands and designers are looking to include more diversity in their editorials and runways - from skin tone to body types.
"When I modelled in China for the first time, I was the only Indian girl while everyone else was Caucasian or Chinese. I was told that other agencies didn't 'dare' bring in dark skinned models because they weren't sure if they could secure jobs for them," says Vanizha.
She notes that right after that season, when her agency brought her in, other agencies started to bring in models ranging from brown skinned to even darker skinned.
Having made an impact with all her career milestones, Vanizha does feel the weight of the responsibility of reshaping beauty standards in South-East Asia and beyond. — Photo: Yap Chee Hong/The Star; Wardrobe: Maje; Hair & makeup: Vanizha Vasanthanathan
"It does feel heavy. Because, like, whenever I do something, I feel like, 'Okay, what's next? What do I need to do next?' So I keep searching for opportunities and when they come along, I just grab it. So it does feel heavy sometimes, but I think in a good way, and it's also sort of pushed me to be a better person, to do better," she says.
Closer to home, she feels like a lot more can be done not just in terms of diversity, but to raise the profile of local models.
"Many high end brands hold fashion shows or store launches here, but they don't hire local models, they hire Caucasian models. It upsets me because if you want to do a show in Malaysia, I feel it should include most of the models being Malaysian," she says.
She believes everyone in the industry, from brands to agencies and clients, share the responsibility for improving inclusivity.
Looking ahead
When she isn't modelling or dancing, Vanizha attends events and creates content for social media, but doesn't consider herself a content creator per se.
"Being a content creator is another level, because you really need to put in a lot of effort, with cameras, lighting, editing and so on. So it's more like a side gig for me."
At the moment, she is looking to explore more modelling opportunities in Europe, but in the meantime she is enjoying life as a newlywed and preparing for upcoming dance shows.
"Dancing wise, I don't think I will ever retire from dancing, I think it just keeps me going. It keeps me sane," she says.