Q&A with former Singapore Supermodel Pat Kraal

Former supermodel Pat Kraal is a household name in the modelling industry, not only in her home country of Singapore, but around the world as well.

Having modelled with the likes of Iman, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington and Carla Bruni after she broke into the European modelling world in the 1980’s, Pat is a seasoned professional. She graced the covers of many popular magazines and walked the biggest runaways in Europe for brands like Givenchy, Christian Dior, Pierre Balmain and Pierre Cardin, until she retired from her career in 1990, after the birth of her first child.

Twenty-one years on, after trying a variety of work, her latest endeavour has her being a judge at Singapore’s ‘MODEL SEARCH’, which is a competition that aims to discover men, women and children, who have what it takes to be a model.

In partnership with one of Singapore’s top modelling agencies, Carrie Models International, winners stand to win a total worth of S$100,000 in regional modelling contracts and prizes. The grand finale was held at Singapore’s largest suburban mall, Jurong Point, on the 26th of April 2014.

We caught up with Pat to get a little more insight into the world of modelling, fashion and beauty. Here’s what she had to say.

Marie France Asia: You have accomplished quite an amazing feat – you went from a tiny country like Singapore to the big runways of Europe. How did your big break happen?

Pat Kraal: My good friend Hanis Hussey was already working in Paris and asked me to try my luck. My first stop was to see Monsieur Hubert de Givenchy in his studio. He liked me and wanted me to start working straight away and there was no looking back after that.

Marie France Asia: How did you feel at the height of your career? What moment was that?

Pat Kraal: When I first stepped off the plane in Paris, it was like living a dream.  Like many girls around the world, I dreamt of wearing beautiful dresses and travelling the world. Modelling gave me a chance to do both while wearing priceless Haute Couture and meeting top designers were bonuses!

Marie France Asia: What were some noteworthy endeavours you engaged in after your retirement?

Pat Kraal: For me it was all about raising my four children and basically it was all I had time for.  As any mother can testify, it was frustrating, tiring but most of all, the greatest achievement of my life.  I’m terribly proud of all of them.

Marie France Asia: Many more Asian models are beginning to dominate the stage at the big runways of Milan and Paris etc. Do you think it is easier now for Asian models to get big jobs and get recognized?

Pat Kraal: Generally yes.  The paths have already been laid and there have been some very successful and famous models who have opened many doors.  Also, the more international nature of fashion and markets means that models have to appeal to a much larger cross section of people.

Marie France Asia: What is your opinion on the current talent in Asia?

Pat Kraal: With the likes of Liu Wen and Tao Okamoto, there is an abundance of talented and marketable Asian models who are promoting Asia worldwide.

Marie France Asia: What makes Model Search different from other modelling competitions/shows?

Pat Kraal: Model Search is about discovering potential talent from less predictable locations such as the heartlands and suburbs instead of city centres.

Marie France Asia: What is particularly challenging about working with models from all over the world?

Pat Kraal: The differences in cultures and languages make it quite challenging, but it gradually becomes enjoyable and rewarding seeing my “protégées”  blossom.

Marie France Asia: What is your opinion on the obsession with being the ‘ideal size’?

Pat Kraal: You have to have a strong mentality not to be swayed by all this commercialism and peer pressure. You need to be comfortable in your own skin.

Marie France Asia: What is your opinion on plastic surgery and other body enhancements for models?

Pat Kraal: Minor procedures are fine to give you confidence and self esteem. But drastically changing one’s appearance is too much.

Marie France Asia: What advice do you have for up-and-coming modelling talent in Asia?

Pat Kraal: Be prepared to work hard, take an interest in your material (portfolios, videos, composites etc.), learn from your mistakes and communicate with your bookers.

Marie France Asia: Lastly, how do you keep in shape and your skin looking so good? What’s your secret/beauty regime?

Pat Kraal: Thanks to good genes. I’m always eating but hardly put on weight. Keep active, exercise, walk instead of taking the car, climb the stairs instead of taking the escalators.

I drink a lot of green tea with goji berries.

Diya-Maya Tsering Bhalla