Meet the Hawai‘i Photographer Whose Inclusive Modeling Agency is Changing the Definition of Beauty

The Honolulu City Club, her inclusive agency, has taken the industry by storm since launching in 2019. We chatted with the shutterbug about self-worth, model scouting at U-Haul and the importance of representation.

How did you end up in the Islands?

I was born in Brisbane and grew up in Papua New Guinea. Then I moved to Hawai‘i in 2004 to study anthropology at Hawai‘i Pacific University.

What led you to photography?

I went with a friend to a photojournalism festival in France. Seeing so much beautiful work there moved me—I had a lightbulb moment. So, I actually became a documentary photographer first, before segueing into fashion.

Photo: Mel Tjoeng @meltjoeng. Photo Courtesy of The Honolulu City Club.

Why was it important to open an agency built around diversity?

When I grew up in Australia, it was very white. I’m half Chinese and am Italian, Spanish, Portuguese—I’m very mixed—and I’m curvier. I didn’t see enough representation of people who looked like me. And I saw how the beauty industry affected people’s self-worth. So, I thought, I’m going to open my own agency, and I’m not going to have restrictions on weight, height or age. It’s so much more interesting. How boring when there’s one type of beauty. The world isn’t like that.

Why Hawai‘i for your agency’s home base?
The first time I came to Hawai‘i I was 12, and I remember thinking, oh my God, everyone looks like me. I loved it. Hawaiian culture is so rich and beautiful and strong. I really was moved by it.

It seems like more local models are finding success beyond the Islands.

Hawai‘i has been put on the map. We’re getting a lot of clients from Europe, Australia and New Zealand. We just had five models in a Jacquemus runway show, which our model Bianca [Blakeney] opened—she’s half Japanese, half African American and gorgeous, but shorter by runway standards. That made me happy.

And now you’re looking to open an Australian branch?

Yes! Australia is pretty diverse now, but people of color are still underrepresented—Indigenous, Aboriginal and Asian groups and Black people. But it’s changing, which is great.

Photo: Mel Tjoeng @meltjoeng. Photo Courtesy of The Honolulu City Club.

Have you been seeing shifts in the local market?

In Hawai‘i people have always hired models of color, but I love seeing way more Native Hawaiians represented, not only within Hawai‘i, but domestically and internationally.

What makes a good model?
Being thin and tall doesn’t matter. It’s how one interacts with the camera. I think of it as a conversation between me and whoever I’m photographing. What do you have to say to me?

Where do you model scout?
Everywhere! I’ll just be somewhere and see someone amazing—Whole Foods, a little restaurant on the Big Island or the beach. One girl was working at U-Haul.

Photo: Mel Tjoeng @meltjoeng. Photo Courtesy of The Honolulu City Club.