Teen model giving back to others less fortunate

Like the runway model she’d worked diligently (and painfully) to become over the last year, Victoria Tan executed her last pivot this weekend with both poise and conviction.

On Saturday, Tan, 17, strolled into Varsity Barber, took a seat and proceeded to let owner June Chan snip away nearly a foot of her straight, black tresses.

For a young woman just weeks removed from walking the runways at the Paris Fashion Week, the divestiture of such a signature asset was more than just a little symbolic.

“Modeling was a good experience, and I learned a lot from it, but it’s more of a side interest,” said Tan, a junior at Kalani High School. “I really want to focus more on my studies so I can get into a good college.”

Saturday’s trip to the barber offered both a ceremonial end to Tan’s modeling pursuits and a symbolic start to a challenging season of SATs, college applications and campus visits. And in keeping with Tan’s lifelong devotion to helping others, her shorn hair was bound and donated to a charitable organization that makes wigs for children with long-term medical hair loss.

The limitless opportunities available to Tan and her two younger brothers, and the freedom that they enjoy in pursuing their interests, were secured at great risk when their parents Victor and Elena, both accomplished Chinese acrobats, defected to the United States (separately) in the 1980s.

Victoria was born in Hawaii, where her parents settled after a brief stint in New York. After securing U.S. citizenship, the Tans returned to China for several years before returning to Hawaii for good five years ago.

Last year, younger brother Virgil went to an open audition for child models, and Victoria tagged along for moral support. The agent in charge took one look at the thin, 5-foot-9 Victoria and asked her whether she’d be interested in modeling. Tan had never entertained the idea of modeling before, but thought it sounded interesting and signed up for a workshop. Soon after, she was invited to walk at the Los Angeles Fashion Week.

To prepare for the event, Tan, accompanied by her father, practiced walking around Kahala Mall, Magic Island and other spots wearing high heels.

“I had never worn high heels before,” Tan said, laughing. “It was so painful.”

Painful or not, Tan acquitted herself well and wound up walking for three different designers in L.A.

An opportunity to walk at the New York Fashion Week followed. Tan knew that the event was bigger and more formal, and that she would be up against a much larger field of prospective models, most with many more years of experience. Yet, as her parents had always encouraged, Tan set aside her fears, worked hard to prepare and set off to New York determined to get the most out of the experience, no matter what might happen.

“There were about a hundred models in the lobby trying to earn one of 15 spots,” said Tan of an audition for Jessie Liu. “They were all tall and pretty and skinny, and when you were asked to walk, you did it in front of all of them, which was really intimidating.”

Yet, once again, Tan did well for herself, securing a spot in the lineup and executing everything she had learned in her brief training.

Tan already knew that she wanted to devote her full attentions to her academic and volunteer work when the chance to participate in the Paris Fashion Week came up. She jumped at the opportunity to visit Paris and to participate in one of the world’s premier fashion events even as she knew her appearance would be something of a valedictory walk.

The trip would have even deeper meaning for her family. Both Victor and Elena had performed in the City of Lights more than 27 years earlier as members of the Guanzhou Acrobat Troupe.

Tan, in high heels and with a book carefully balanced at the top of her head, once again practiced hard for the event. She studied the runway approach. She summoned her parents’ performative discipline to keep her balance (“I was worried that I’d trip and fall”) and maintain the placid composure her coaches exhorted her to keep.

And yet, upon arriving in Paris, Tan caught a cold. Then she slipped on ice and badly twisted her ankle. Then the jet lag kicked in.

Undeterred, Tan successfully walked for both Ellae Lisque and Indonesian fashion house LeViCo, participated in a fashion shoot and still had enough time to see the sights with her father.

Her Year of Living Fashionably now complete, Tan has wasted little time getting back into the flow of school and volunteer work. She’s a straight-A student and a member of the school golf team.

Outside of school, Tan performs with her brothers Vincent and Virgil and cousin Harry for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, senior centers, hospitals and other organizations, playing the guzheng (a Chinese zither) and yueqin (moon guitar), and has volunteered at a children’s art program.

In preparation for a recent trip to China, Tan raised money and collected candy and books for a Chinese orphanage for children with disabilities.

“Everybody needs attention and love, and I felt happy to help them,” she said. “My life is pretty good, and I want to do whatever I can to help others enjoy a better life.”

Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.