I’m in Hanoi this month interviewing Dubai-based Vietnamese model, Phuong Rouzaire. She’s here for a brief visit with her family and I am, quite literally, along for the ride. Rouzaire’s agent, Olivia Middleton, a force at Dubai’s Connected Models, had tried beforehand to brace me for the amusement ride quality of Phuong Rouzaire. Do you remember that feeling you got as a child, when you were on a roller coaster, at the very top, attempting to orient yourself to dizzying heights? Well, that is a bit what it’s like to spend time with Rouzaire.

I’d seen plenty of images of the curiously vampy Vietnamese model in a series of David LaChapelle-like pictorials: Rouzaire in a minuscule leopard print bikini with cherry gloss lips and endless limbs on the pages of Nguoi Mau magazine. But nothing could prepare me for meeting Rouzaire in the flesh. She picks me up in true hip-Hanoi-girl fashion–on a motorbike–wearing a pair of gun metal coloured stilettos and skintight denim shorts. At just under six feet tall, she is a wisp of a girl with a tiny waist and a face distinguished by a collision of captivating angles.

She invites me to climb on the back of her motorbike, then begins chattering animatedly, her long, wavy, black hair blowing in the wind as we whizz through the labyrinthine streets. Twenty minutes later at the Sofitel Metropole bar, Rouzaire is immediately descended upon by a fellow model friend. The two launch into a torrent of model gossip, while I begin to piece together a curious assemblage of notes for the Vietnam-bred, Dubai-based beauty. So, shall we begin?

Name: Khong Thi Lan Phuong (Phuong Rouzaire)

Nationality: Vietnamese

Hometown: Hai Phong, Vietnam

Astrological Sign: Aries

Agency/or Agencies: New Talent (Hanoi, Vietnam), Connected Models (Dubai, UAE)

Where you’ve seen her before: Magazines: Jetstar Airways In-flight magazine, TravelLive, Nguoi Mau (Model), Beauty & Hair, Mot (Mode), Thoi Trang Tre (New Fashion). Fashion shows in Asia for international designers such as: Roberto Cavalli, Emilio Pucci, Kenzo, La Perla, Chloé, Jean Paul Gautier, Rocco Barocco; on official fashion brand “Eva de Eva” website.

Where you’ll see her again: Cover TravelLive magazine, East and West magazine (Vietnam), Bahrain Fashion Week, and all over the world–hopefully!

When did you know you were going to be a model?

I didn’t actually know or plan on being a model. It just kind of happened overnight!

Like Sophie Dahl, discovered on the steps of her apartment building weeping after a fight with her mother, by an enchanted Isabella Blow, most models have a tale of discovery, an agent’s epiphany that launches a career. Do you have one? If so please share.

Actually, I do have a story! It all happened while I was still studying at university. I was crossing the street in Hanoi, about to get on a bus. I was on my way to my part-time job as a waitress in a restaurant when this woman came up to me and asked me if I wanted to join her modeling class. She gave me her mobile phone number and told me to call anytime. I didn’t call her as I didn’t really want to do it. I had no idea about modeling although I have always had an interest in fashion. At around that time I was encouraged by friends to enter the Miss IIR Contest (a university pageant) which I did and failed miserably. I was on stage to answer the questions and got the worst case of stage fright, even though my friends were encouraging me in the crowd. I was so nervous, I almost cried. After the contest I wasn’t very self-confident but I decided to apply for a job with a Vietnam TV station as an MC but after two casting calls, I missed out.

I wasn’t very happy after all of this and needed a change. I decided to call the woman and join the modeling class. I attended the classes and started to enjoy it. One day a man walked in and said he was looking for a girl to model an Ao Dai (a traditional Vietnamese dress) for a photo shoot. They decided to send me to the casting–and I got my first job. The man from the photo shoot introduced me to New Talent Model Agency in Hanoi–and they signed me up as a model. As they say, the rest is history!

Where are you based?

Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

What is your average day like? Do you have a standard routine?

If my work load permits, I like to exercise in the early mornings. This usually comprises of sit-ups, light weights and walking/jogging. Another routine that I definitely enjoy is sleeping in on weekends!

Is there a noteworthy model whose career you adore and follow? If so, whom? And why?

There are many models whose beauty I adore such as Jessica Stam, Tanya Dziahileva and Vlada Roslyakova. But the models whose career I really admire are Hye Rim Park, Du Juan and Anne Wantanabe. They are successful Asian models whose rising popularity on the international fashion scene coincides with the renewed Western interest in Asia.

Who are your fashion influences? What can we find you wearing when you’re sitting in a cafe, looking at your watch, waiting for a friend?

I tend to love creative and comfy designs whether they are famous designers from Paris, Milan, New York or just some local designers from where I am from in Vietnam or where I live in the Middle East. My tastes with regard to fashion are many and varied; I like to try everything. If I am going out to meet friends or to a cafe, you’ll more than likely find me in a pair of hipster jeans, a tee or singlet and wearing my favorite pair of Havaianas.

What is your signature feature, the feature for which you are most known?

Definitely my legs and feet! (So my husband tells me.)

Last modelling job?

I did two photo shoots on the same weekend in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam (a UNESCO World Heritage site). The first was on a luxury junk sailing on Ha Long Bay, for TravelLive magazine. It was a fantastic location with amazing scenery and the photos turned out fantastic. The second shoot was for East&West magazine during the Ha Long Bay Carnival Street parade. I’d never really done anything quite like it before–as I was running in and in and out of the parade, all dressed up in heels and posing. I had a lot of crazy poses but it was really fun and the photos turned out great. Both shoots are definitely among my top five most memorable.

Is there a photographer or designer you would love to work with?

Nguyen Long is a Vietnamese photographer I would love to work with. He always manages to capture amazing images, no matter what the subject. As far as designers, although I like to work with any designer who has new creations, I would love to work with Karl Lagerfeld. It would be a dream to be in a fashion show with his work.

At what moment are you happiest?

When I’m having a quiet time together with my husband such as a candle lit dinner or relaxing on a secluded beach.

Favourite restaurant?

Hoa Sua in Hanoi. It’s an old converted French Villa that’s actually used as a training restaurant for disadvantaged youth. The food is a delicious mixture of French and Asian cuisines, served in a pleasant atmosphere. All proceeds go to the further training of these youth. It’s not only a good meal, but a good cause.

Favourite European city?

Paris!

Favourite world city?

Sydney. My husband told me to say that! He’s from Sydney.

Everyday we turn on the radio or television and hear more bad news about the state of the global economy. How has the recent economic downturn influenced your shopping habits or taste in fashion?

Well, it hasn’t really slowed down for me in Dubai. It seems like there’s a designer fashion store having a 75% sale every two months!

If you had not chosen to be a model, what would be your profession of choice?

I love cooking (and eating), so I think I would own my own restaurant serving classic Vietnamese cuisine.

What is the beauty product you absolutely swear by–and would be crestfallen if you had to live without?

Dermalogica facial scrub and moisturizer.

Best “model” moment?

Being recognized in a market thousands of kilometres from my hometown and being called by my full name by total strangers whilst walking down the street and shopping. Those moments are so sweet! Modeling has filled my life with delightful experiences and new places and friends.

In a film about your life. who would star?

I would star! (Laughs.) I’d want it to be a real as possible.

In the year 2020, I’ll be…

A mother of two children, I assure you!

Running in Heels gives special thanks to Olivia Middleton and Connected Models, Dubai for their permission to conduct this interview.