Picture Perfect

OH, what thrill it is to go for a haircut if your hairstylist looks like he just stepped out of an Abercrombie catalogue.
Darren Tan, however, is not particularly associated with a specific brand or even a modelling agency but the 26-year-old hairstylist turned part-time model has strutted at Asia Fashion Week Malaysia, MODA, KL Fashion Week, KL Fashion Weekend, Malaysia Fashion Week, as well as having been featured in high profile photo shoots for illustrious fashion and lifestyle magazines.
He was also crowned Male Model of the Year at the Mercedes Benz Stylo Fashion Grand Prix KL 2014. Tan started out as a hairstylist six years ago after he graduated from Limkokwing University studying hairstyling before enrolling in a hairdressing school in the UK for a year.
Upon returning to Malaysia, Tan, together with his partner, established a hair salon in Cyberjaya.
As with modelling, what started out as a hobby lending his physique to fashion students for in-house fashion shows at Limkokwing became a career as well for Tan.
To date, the 1.86m tall Penangite is reaching his fourth year in modelling.

How do you maintain your physique?
I work out at the gym as often as I can. I used to go every day but now that there is so much to do, I try to gym four days a week doing two different workouts targeting two muscles every time.
What's the difference between being a model and a hairstylist?
Being a hairstylist, I have the satisfaction of making someone look good and I love to see the smile on my client's face.
As for modelling, it's like being a mannequin and walking down the runway gives me a kind of self-satisfaction… I work hard at the gym while juggling my time at the salon and it pays off.
How does it feel being a 'mannequin'?
I'm okay with being seen as a mannequin. It's just part of the job.
What's the worst thing about modelling?
The worst thing for me is the waiting time in between shows. For fashion shows at the mall, we have to be there really early for rehearsals before the mall opens even if the show is in the evening. After that it's just hanging around and be on standby for the entire day.
The fun part, though, is that sometimes I get to travel on the job. I have been to Thailand and Hong Kong to model.
Weight has always been an issue when it comes to modelling and the female models usually get the brunt of it. What about male models?
'Where's your six-pack abs?' is what the agency usually asks. For runway models, it's not really a strict requirement to have sixpack abs but local agencies always look for them.
Actually, when it comes to weight, it's not so bad in Malaysia. The models themselves are very self-conscious. Some model friends of mine, whom I think look really fine, go on unhealthy diet (or lack thereof!) instead of working out to get skinnier. As for the guys, we generally don't control our diet much. We just eat and work out.
How much do models in Malaysia make?
We don't get paid very much and it has declined again in recent years. Back then you could get about RM800 per show, now you get about RM500-600. In terms of talent, starring in commercials, back then they pay about RM8,000 now it's only about RM3,000-4,000.
Unless you are under an agency, the pay rate is similar. Foreign models get paid more.
How do you feel about that?
I think it's pretty unfair because we are doing the same job. I think the agencies can change that. It's the profit-making mentality that has to change because the commissions are higher when foreign models get booked. Sometimes, at a show, eight out of 10 models are foreign models.
-------------------Trivia-------------------
Who does your hair:
Up till today, I've only had three persons do my hair, one of whom is my brother who works with me at the salon.
Hidden talent:
I made a table out of an old wooden door if that counts
Trendiest hairstyle today:
For ladies, it's the pixie cut and balayage colour. For men, the 'undercut'
Your best feature:
My eyes
Self-grooming tip:
Cleanse your face properly every day