Calvin Cheng

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Calvin Ern-Lee Cheng (born in Singapore) is a leading figure in the fashion modelling industry in Asia.[citation needed]

Cheng is a graduate of the University of Oxford (Hertford College), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts (Master of Arts (Oxbridge and Dublin)) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and a Master of Science in Management.[1]

At the age of 25,[citation needed] Cheng became the Asian regional head of Elite Model Management,[2][3][4] the agency which spawned supermodels Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bündchen amongst others. Cheng founded and managed agencies in up to ten cities, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Tokyo.[citation needed] During Cheng's term, Elite opened agencies in Bombay, New Delhi, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Shanghai.[citation needed] In 2003, the Elite Model Look International finals were also held in Singapore, which was the second time in 21 years that the event was held in Asia.[5] Cheng left Elite in 2004.[citation needed]

Cheng is currently CEO of the fashion media brand Looque International.[1] Looque Models manages Asian models including Tracy Tan, Sara Malakul Lane[6] , and Amber Chia.[7] Singaporean actor Elvin Ng also started out with Looque Models.[citation needed]

In January 2005,[citation needed] Cheng was elected as the President of Singapore's modelling association,[8][9] which has aimed to increase the pay and welfare of models in Singapore.[10] In August 2005, Cheng was featured in Singapore's 40th independence day official commemorative video as one of 40 outstanding Singaporeans under 40.[11]

Cheng currently sits on the Board of Governors for the Spirit of Enterprise (SOE) Singapore, a quasi-governmental body that promotes enterprise and annually awards entrepreneurs who have made achievements in their fields.[12] He also holds an external lectureship with the National University of Singapore where he teaches a course on philosophy.[citation needed]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Looque International
  2. ^ This Is London Article "The Perfect Face" *[1]
  3. ^ Yale Article "Asia's Elite Cops" *[2]
  4. ^ China Daily Article "Eyes of the Beholder" *[3]
  5. ^ Italian Chamber of Commerce Article "Elite Model Chooses Singapore" * [4]
  6. ^ They're Jealous Of My Royal Blood*[5]
  7. ^ S'pore is hot spot for Pan-Asian models*[6]
  8. ^ Talent Scouts or Talent Touts - JUNE 13, 2005
  9. ^ Association of Modelling Industry Professionals Singapore Exco List [7]
  10. ^ Straits Times Article on AMIP * [8]
  11. ^ 40 Today Streaming Video* [9]
  12. ^ Spirit of Enterprise Board of Governors List [10]