HANIS HUSSEY, 44
She was only 16 when she became a model and success came fast and furious. She walked the runway for top brands like Yves Saint Laurent and Givenchy and landed on the cover of Time magazine in 1997, for a story on anti-ageing scientific innovations.
Those days under the spotlight may seem far away now. Hussey, who is married to an American managing director in the aviation industry, retired from modelling 12 years ago to spend more time with her three children, aged 13, 17 and 20.
But her modelling days also laid the foundation for her very diverse resume in her post-catwalk days.
She has run her own modelling agency and been a fashion show producer; she has been a consultant and judge for beauty pageants and conducted grooming classes for models and pageant contestants - all pursuits that a former top model would understandably take to like a duck to water.
Being well-versed in the workings of the fashion industry also led to a stint as a buyer for fashion brand Mumbai Se and a vendor selling her own candles and glassware at various shopping fairs held for expatriates here.
Her experience in the latter led to her current business venture - an events company called International Expat Affairs of which she is creative director.
Together with business partner Linda Rossinsky, she organises shopping events for expatriates, such as the upcoming Spring Affair bazaar that will be held at the Singapore Marriott Hotel next Tuesday and Wednesday.
"I thought I could do a better job of organising a shopping fair for expatriates by booking a better venue, providing better marketing and offering a more upscale selection of vendors," she says.
She travels extensively to source for vendors and this year's fair will include items like bags from Thailand and jewellery from Africa.
Her extensive contact base, accumulated from her many years in various fashion-related businesses, is an advantage, as well as her well-honed eye for spotting vendors with interesting items to sell.
"Working keeps me sane and keeps my brain active. Otherwise, I will just be another tai tai."
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.
