Friday, April 11, 2014

Amber Chia’s Venture Beyond a Malaysian Fashion Icon, And The 2 Men Behind This Superwoman

This week our spotlight is on Amber Chia. If you have been following the fashion updates and flipping on fashion magazines, this will NOT be an unfamiliar name and face to you. Amber has brought Malaysia's name a big step closer to the international stardom when she succeeded as a finalist at the GUESS Watches Timeless Beauty Contest back in 2004. Amber has never looked back since then as she has continued her career from modeling to entrepreneur and now a successful educator and businesswoman.

Short biodata of Amber
Name: Amber Chia
Chinese Name: 谢丽萍
Date of Birth: 14 December, 1981
Profession: Malaysian model
Age of Modeling: Since 17  
Origin: Born in Ipoh, Malaysia, grew up in the city of Tawau in Sabah, East Malaysia Most defining features: Her pouty lips and disarming smile









Amber’s route marks to success
As a starting platform, Amber has secured a contract with Guess Watches International in 2004.

Voted Model of the Year by the Malaysian International Fashion Awards in 2004 and 2005.
Appeared in a variety of local advertisements which include but not limited to Sony, L’Oreal and Mitsubishi.
Countless international magazine covers and several notable TV appearances in China.

Appeared in the Indonesian version “Celebrity” section of Playboy Magazine (non-nude though). Amber defends them as "tasteful, stylish and sensuous but not pornographic”.


Ventured into acting in Chinese movies and series such as The 3rd Generation, Possessed and Trio & a Bed, and then gradually appearing in TV host shows and sitcoms (Taiwan and China).

Selected personally by Victoria Beckham (out of thousands who auditioned) for her exclusive couture collection’s presentation in the New York Fashion Week in 2009.

In mid-2009, Amber ventured into business and started Amber Creations, primarily focusing on events management & film production. By the end of the year, Amber Creations had secured the Ford Models Supermodel of the World license for Malaysia, which she transformed into the talk-of-the-town model search, including the broadcast of the grand finale on Star TV.

Amber soon opened Amber Chia Academy in 2010 (10/8/2010 to be exact), which was founded together with Benjamin Toong, with emphasis on the creative art of modeling, makeup & photography. This very special day has then changed the modeling scene in Malaysia .


In 2011, Amber was invited to be a judge for the Malaysia's Online Fashion Entrepreneurs' Weekend (MOFEW).

In February 2014, Amber appears as guest judge in episode 5 of Asia’s Top Model Cycle 2.

Amber has became the role model and inspiration to a lot of us ladies out here. She has created wonders to herself, her family and our nation by looking straight upright, and to pursue her vision to the fullest. 

Plus, look at the cute and fun side of her ;p



The men behind this SUPERWOMAN
 Adrian Wong, Amber’s husband, 40 this year.

Adrian has 2 children from previous marriage. He is a business graduate from Melbourne University. He has spent 10 years in Australia and was the founder and director of Absolute Entertainment, an event management company, which specialized in bringing international acts like the Pussycat Dolls and Andy Lau. Amber met Adrian about ten years ago when she auditioned for a job for his entertainment company. 

Adrian had eventually moved into property development. He was relocated to Melbourne, and constantly travels between Melbourne, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. When Amber first disclosed their relationship to the public, “We don’t want things to go out of control. We’re sorry if we shocked a lot of people, including our own friends, but we’re just two people in love who would like to keep things private,” the Malaysian supermodel said apologetically. “We were looking for a more appropriate time to make it public. Please understand that he’s not a celebrity and he’s not used to the limelight like I am,” Amber added. 

The lovely couple has got married on 25/3/2010. 



Announcement about the 2nd men, soon after the marriage
Ashton Wong, Amber’s son, 4 this year

Notes from Amber about the pregnancy:
“I found out about the pregnancy straight after my wedding, and I was so excited that I wanted to tell everyone about it! But knowing that the wedding itself was going to catch a lot of people by surprise, both Adrian and I decided to focus on making it one that we’ll both remember, and announcing this when the time is right. Well, for us, the time is now right. Truth be told, I wanted this to come from me as I do not want people to speculate on what is essentially a miracle.

My lifelong dream of becoming a mother is now coming true and I will work very hard at being the best mum possible.

Thank you all for all the support over the years. Your support means the world to me and I will continue to work hard at my career to the best of my ability, whilst taking on new roles as an entrepreneur and soon, a mother!”

In 2011, Amber has received the best ever birthday present from Ashton – “Baby Ashton gave me the best birthday gift I could ever ask for at the grand opening of the fourth Amber Chia Academy in Berjaya Times Square. He walked the runaway - ALL BY HIMSELF!  The last time that he did a show, I had to carry him. I was so impressed with him. He acted like a professional model - even knew when to stop and pose for the cameras. The crowds loved him. I have just voted him the best male model of the Amber Chia Academy”, the Malaysia supermodel is extremely proud of her little loved one, which we are too :) Look at the little one, just too cute ;)

Strong Heart and Passion with no strong background
We are touched by the passion, strong determination and persistence of Amber to succeed. She insisted to moved to Kuala Lumpur after SPM during young age despite the great dismissal and extreme objection from her parents when she first had the idea to start her career as a model. She was just a young innocent girl without strong background. She only had RM300 in her pocket when she first arrived in Kuala Lumpur.  She didn’t know where to go, what to do or who to go to. She had tried looking up several modelling agencies but turned up in vain. Looking back, how amazing that she has survived to who she is today. The tough beginning has made her stronger today. She has made a promise to herself that when she made it big, she would open her own academy to help those who want to join the modelling industry but don’t know where or how to start, and she has done it! She has gone all out and now she is beyond a fashion icon and being respectable in all aspect of her life. Amber strongly believes that if one works hard and have a determination to achieve one's dream, you can do it. Wouldn't this be an excellent and inspiring true life example for all of us to share and learn? Heads up, and be strong!