citychic_feature

City Chic

By: Yu Shing Ting Filed Under: Fashion • FEATURES
October - November 2011

WE HIT THE STREETS OF HONOLULU WITH FALL’S MOST EXCITING COUTURE FINDS

FASHION WRITER: YU SHING TING
PHOTOGRAPHER: LEAH FRIEL
MODELS: ANGELA BYRD, MICHELLE VAWER AND VASIL YOUCHEV
MAKEUP BY KECIA LITTMAN OF BELLA BEAUTY AGENCY
HAIR STYLING BY ANOU SITHAMMALAT AND ASHLEE VALEROS OF REVE SALON

Michelle Vawer was destined to be a supermodel… she just never knew it.

  • Michelle Vawer
  • Vasil walks the line in ARMANI COLLEZIONI jacket, $825; ETRO green paisley print shirt, $385; DOLCE & GABBANA khaki denim cargo pants, $550; and LANVIN black sneakers, $495. All from NEIMAN MARCUS
  • Michelle mixes trendy with classic in an asymmetric tank top, $295; classic pencil skirt, $395; suede and elastic belt, $495; and suede ankle-strap shoe with chain detail, $695. All by EMPORIO ARMANI
  • Michelle mixes trendy with classic in an asymmetric tank top, $295; classic pencil skirt, $395; suede and elastic belt, $495; and suede ankle-strap shoe with chain detail, $695. All by EMPORIO ARMANI
  • Angela wears a vINce coyote fur jacket, $1,875; NIcOLe mILLer gold shimmer cocktail dress, $430; ALeXIS bIttAr earrings, $245. All from NeImAN mArcUS.
  • Angela dons her best lady chic: ‘Abigail’ dress, $5,900; ‘Dior duchesse’ boot, $1,400; ‘Dior Poudre’ cuff with velvet, $1,950; ‘Dior Paudress’ earrings, $890; and ‘Lady Dior’ knot handbag; $3,400. All by DIOR.
  • Michelle wears a pequin mink fur coat, $14,000; ruffle dress with pequin belt, $1,680; logo earrings, $250; and green satin pumps, $695. All by FENDI.
  • Michelle wears a pequin mink fur coat, $14,000; ruffle dress with pequin belt, $1,680; logo earrings, $250; and green satin pumps, $695. All by FENDI.
  • Vasil wears a classic dress shirt, $625; necktie in ecu noir $190; riveted suede leather belt, $490; classic pants, $625; and ‘montana’ ankle boot, $895. All by LOUIS VUITTON.
  • Angela wears a DOLCE & GABBANA black ruched dress, $1,745; HERVE VAN DER STRAETEN gold necklace, $1,225; HERVE VAN DER STRAETEN gold earrings, $305; HERVE VAN DER STRAETEN gold cuff, $500. All from NEIMAN MARCUS
  • Vasil wears a dress shirt with tab closure stand collar, $275; four-button charcoal gray check vest, $425; slim-fit trouser with drawstring closure, $395; and ‘Denis’ boot, $525. All by EMPORIO ARMANI
  • Angela is on her way in a red dress, $1,490; ‘ellis’ python clutch, $1,950; and earrings, $160. All by SALVATORE FERRAGAMO.
  • Michelle plays the tough girl in a leather jacket with mink collar, $5,200; ‘sprouse’ mini skirt, $1,220; and ‘gimme a clue’ sting ray hoop earrings, $550. All by LOUIS VUITTON.
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This down-to-earth Kailua girl started modeling at the age of 17 on the suggestion of a friend. two years later, the international model management firm, ImG models (the same agency that represents Heidi Klum, Gisele bundchen, Kate moss and miranda Kerr) recruited her in New York.

Now 21, vawer has traveled the world for photo shoots to exotic locales that include Africa, bali, Germany, milan, Australia and Paris. (Following our exclusive HILuxury shoot, she was scheduled for colombia, London and Japan.) When asked about rumors of an upcoming big gig, michelle couldn’t reveal anything except that it is a “really exciting” opportunity that will come out soon.

Vawer’s work includes ads for numerous lingerie and swimsuit companies, as well as editorials found in vogue Italia, vanity Fair Italy and vogue India. this is her third appearance in HILuxury magazine.

“I love that this is my job,” says vawer during a visit back to Hawai’i, where we caught up with her. “For a lot of my jobs I get to hang out on the beach in my bikini. I also get to work with different people every day. And it’s nice to get paid to travel.”

When she’s not busy posing for the camera, vawer enjoys writing, reading (her favorite authors include Haruki murakami, roald Dahl and Jonathon Safran Foer), watching movies (including breakfast at tiffany’s and Arizona Dream), drawing and listening to music (her range includes Hawaiian and reggae to the rolling Stones, etta James and Al Green).

Born in Vancouver, Vawer moved to Hawai’i at age 4, attended Ka’elepulu elementary, La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls and ‘Iolani School before graduating from myron b. thompson Academy.

She currently lives in New York, but returns to Hawai’i often-and always for the holidays.

“I love the music, the food and the art in New York,” she says. “I also like that it’s easy to travel from there. but I love coming home to Hawai’i, especially during christmas time to be with my family-my mom, dad and older sister.”