STEPHANIE RETUYA – WILHELMINA MODELS NYC
How did you become a model? Did you always want to be one?
At first, I didn’t aspire to be a model until I tried my first runway show and that’s when I got hooked. It feels amazing to be up there- the adrenaline, walking knowing you are wearing a vision of the designer.
Most significant campaigns so far. Which one are you most proud of and why?
SM Aura Philippines, a Property campaign in Singapore and the Mac Indulge advertorial in Hongkong, I am very proud of these works because of the people I met when I did the job and the outcome of the work itself.
Tell us about your journey to the modelling world in NYC.
I met my mother agency when I worked with Mannequin in Singapore, after AsNTM (Asia’s Next Top Model) ended, they helped me travel to Asia first to build my book before I got here in NYC.
What’s the best thing about being an international model? What’s the worst thing about it?
The best thing is the travel, the new people, being exposed to different wonderful culture and the worst things are missing home and missing your family. It’s not all glitz and glamour it can be very lonely too.
On being Filipino – is being Filipino a hindrance or an asset to a model like you?
It depends on where you are, I have been discriminated for my race but NYC it has been an asset.
What advice can you give to Filipinos aspiring to model internationally?
Don’t give up and work for it!
If you weren’t a model today, what would you be? Explain why?
A literary writer, that’s what I went to school for and I love to read too, but nowadays I am very interested with cooking and food.
She's working non-stop in Singapore right now, and i can see her dominating the New York Fashion Industry soon!
She can be a high fashion and commercial model 
