Model, entrepreneur, actress, mother- Amber Chia is one of Malaysia’s pride. From a small town girl in East Malaysia who took the leap of faith to pursue what she loves, Amber has came a long way since. Today, Amber shares her wisdom with those who’d like to follow her footsteps and is indeed a role model to many. Read on to learn more about Amber!
1. Hi Amber! Can you please tell us more about yourself?
Well my name is Amber Chia and I’m a mother of one. My son is turning 8 years old this coming September. His name is Ashton Wong. Also, I’m the principal of Amber Chia Academy. I have been in the fashion industry for 20 years. That is all about me.
2. What’s the biggest achievement that you’re proud of?
Basically, I would say the biggest achievement I’m proud of is everything I have today. But, if you really want me to choose one, then I would say that when I was 17, I made the decision to move all the way from Sabah Tawau to KL to chase my dream. I believe without that move, the first move, I won’t be able to achieve what I want today. So, yeah I would consider that is my biggest achievement.
3. When you’re not busy modeling, what are some of your favorite things to do?
When I’m not busy working, I love spending quality time with my son. So, I will bring him to places that he wants to go or spending time with him at home. Other than that, I will go for a movie or fly yoga to exercise, or go massage with my husband to relax.
4. If you weren’t a model, what would you want to do?
I don’t know but it will be something I won’t be able to enjoy as much because modeling is my passion, which is why I can do so well and be in the industry for 20 years. If it wasn’t for modeling, I don’t know what I’m going to do. Probably, I’ll still be helping my dad in his fish business. Or, I could be an accountant because before I move to KL, I used to study LCCI in Tawau,Sabah.
5. How do you stay healthy and fit?
To stay healthy is always my priority and it’s the most important thing in my life. I always believe that once you’re healthy, you’ll be able to do everything you want in your life. This includes time management, your beauty, your body shape and, you will enjoy life at the same time eventually. When you’re healthy, you’ll enjoy life and eventually you’ll grow and be more beautiful and you’ll do everything well.
6. You’re one of the top models in Malaysia. What makes you want to start Amber Chia Academy?
The reason why I start Amber Chia Academy is because I always receive endless queries from aspiring models on how can they start their modeling career. They don’t know where to go and what to do to start their modeling career. So in 2010, I made the decision that it’s time to start and to pass my knowledge to the next generation. I always believe in what I do, so the teaching part is not a problem for me because I have been in the modeling industry for 12 years. But to operate the company, it’s a new challenge. A new thing for me to learn. Also, I always believe that beauty is not forever. One day, I will be old. So, I have to start something, a business for me that will grow old with me and at the same time, something I’m really passionate about. That’s why I choose to open Amber Chia Academy in 2010.
7. What is the best and worst thing about the fashion industry?
The best thing is that we will be able to meet new people every day. There’s always something new thing and interesting. The worst thing is that once you become irrelevant, you will be eliminated. So, you have to keep improving. Our schedule sometimes can be quite crazy.
8. How do you make time for your family and work at the same time?
I always believe that time management is very important. You have to prioritize what is important for you in your life first before starting your time management. But above all, I also value the importance of health. I always believe once you’re healthy, you’ll be passionate. Eventually, you can have good time management, and everything else will fall in place.
9. If you have the power, what kind of changes do you want to see in Malaysia and International fashion world?
If I have a power, I really hope to start a model association in Malaysia to protect Malaysian models and give them more opportunity not only in Malaysia but, International as well. In International fashion world of course, I really hope to see more Malaysian models. I always believe that Malaysia Boleh! We have a lot of goof models and can make it into the world.
10. Life motto that you hold on to?
I always believe that never try, never know. A lot of things you never get the answer until you do it and that makes me achieves my dreams today as well. So, this motto I would like to give it to the people who have dreams like me up there. Just try and do the thing you want to do in life.
11. What are your plans for 2018 that we can look forward to?
In 2018, I really still focus of course my family, Amber Chia Academy and, also my work. I hope I’ll get more opportunity in the filming industry. Also for Amber Chia Academy, I hope we’re going to roll out more courses this year so we can expand. As for the people I love, I wish that they continue to be happy and healthy.
12. Do you have any advice for younger girls who are insecure about their body and how they look?
I always believe that every girl is beautiful. Everyone have their own beauty. It doesn’t matter what is your body size and how you look. The most important thing is that you are healthy. Eventually, be confident for everything you have. A lot of things is not only about the physic, about the body and how they look. It’s about the inner beauty. It’s the most powerful and long lasting things in this world and not only physics.
