Hong Kong born and raised, the effortlessly cool Janet Ma is an icon in her own right, having graced the city’s magazines, billboards, and bygone runways. Married to Hong Kong movie star Michael Wong, she’s also no stranger to the limelight. Mother to three children who have now flourished on their own paths, Ma is very much a realist, reminiscing on the golden days of Hong Kong’s past while keeping an open mind towards the future.

How do you feel about this cover shoot? Do you hold any significant memories from your modelling days?

It’s a great day today, shooting with models I knew from the past. Not only does it feel like we’re back in the good old days but the staff on set also seem to feel that way. As a model back then, I had to be more self-disciplined and my standards were set high. I remember this one runway show where I was rushing around, my skirt got caught in my tights and I walked out like that. The dresser was a bit negligent and I wasn’t paying full attention, but another model at the show glanced over to signal it to me and when I looked back and realised, I rushed backstage. I felt so embarrassed I burst into tears after the show. Apart from falling on a runway, this was a profound experience for me.

People are used to seeing the glamorous side of modelling, but few pay attention to the finer details. You seem to be one of those that do.

It is precisely these things that are important. People may not think the small things are of much importance, but they are actually crucial. It’s important to constantly remind yourself not to repeat past mistakes, and to remind others not to make mistakes.

The fashion and modelling industry has undergone a lot of change in recent years. What are your thoughts on the rise of influencer culture?

To be honest, I find it sad to a certain extent. Technology has advanced so much, with just a smartphone you can photoshop any photos you take, producing all kinds of effects. You can make your hair longer or shorter, be taller or thinner. Many people now live in a world of fantasy or illusion, deceiving themselves. I often say to friends and former modelling peers that there’s practically no need for models nowadays. There’s no real need for people to showcase looks anymore and AI models have even started to emerge. What have we lost, you ask? We’ve lost reality, stuff that’s genuine. In the past, people liked to watch live fashion shows to see how the clothing is presented, but these days there are far less of these shows in Hong Kong. Most rely on Instagram and it’s easy to question whether those models are real or not. 

The times are certainly changing. What kind of mindset should we adopt throughout it all?

Good question. It’s not good for us to have too negative of an outlook. At the end of the day, you still have to be yourself. Personally, I don’t want to rely on technology to alter my appearance in photos, whether it’s my face or my body. I hope to make real progress in my actual life.