Hye Won Jang Lady beyond the picture

MANILA, Philippines -  Picture a young girl so shy she was hesitant to participate during class recitations in school. This same girl fancied models traversing the runways of the world and watched them through Fashion TV, learned their walk, and even memorized their names. She dreamed that one day, she would be one of those beauties who would conquer the global stage in fashion.

Today, that shy, soft-spoken girl takes the runway with long, steady strides and proudly carries her East-Asian beauty. Korean fashion model Hye Won Jang, 23, has inevitably found her passion for fashion and embraces it wholeheartedly.

Korean-born Hye Won was a freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University when she decided to model professionally. Her first appearance at the Philippine Fashion Week led her to the gala show of Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One. That Dubai show opened doors for her, including becoming part of the elite group PMAP (Professional Models Association of the Philippines).

“There are a lot of lessons I’ve learned in being a model. Some lessons I had to learn the hard way. Like being rejected in castings. I learned to be stronger and take everything professionally,” shares Hye Won. Towering at 5’10”, she has been featured in several publications, ad campaigns and TV commercials locally. She has also booked modeling jobs in Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and Malaysia.

Last year, Hye Won and eight other PMAP models were given the chance to be part of the highly anticipated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tokyo to walk for Filipino designers John Herrera, Renan Pacson and Ken Samudio. “I am so proud and blessed that I got a part in that show, especially for Filipino designers. I am also thankful to PMAP for that because it opened so many doors for me,” says Hye Won, who is currently a junior board officer of PMAP.

Hye Won, a Management Engineering graduate from the Ateneo, says it is achieving personal growth that lured her to pursue modeling, a career that has brought out the best in her. Her chosen path also allowed her to help her family during rough patches in the past. She holds on tight to the indelible lessons from her parents Grace and Chan Shik Jang, entrepreneurs who came to live in the Philippines when Hye Won was four.

“I learned perseverance and discipline from my dad. Throughout our lives, there were things that didn’t work out. It was always him who encouraged our family to go forward. Mom always tells me to go out there and don’t be afraid to try new things.”

Finding her passion creates meaning in Hye Won’s life. It gave her a purpose, which generates happiness within her. And at the end of the day, Hye Won knows what’s of utmost importance in her life — making her family proud.

“I’m in a place where I want to achieve many things. I want to travel more and model abroad aside from Asia. I want to make the most out of my life with my family and friends around me. It is my goal to keep moving forward and stay focused on the things that I want to achieve to make my family proud. My family’s happiness is my priority,” she concludes.

Photography by RITA MARIE  • Creative direction by LUIS ESPIRITU JR. • Makeup by RIA AQUINO for MAC Cosmetics • Hairstyling by GEORGE ALIBEN for Kiehl’s Stylist Series • Styling by DIANE LASAM • Jewelry by MILADAY JEWELS • Pink see-through coat with halter top and skirt by ROSENTHAL TEE (special thanks to Ryuji Shiomitsu); and textured old rose gown by AZUCAR