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HK Magazine

I was born in Shanghai. When I was 13, my mom and I moved to Vienna, where my dad had already been living for a few years. My mom wanted me to learn Chinese better before we moved abroad.
When I was 17, a model agent approached me when I was out shopping. They said, “You are very tall, and your look is very Chinese. Would you like to be a model?”
This had actually happened a few times before. I didn’t really know what a model was.
I had been asked so many times, I felt like maybe this industry and I were tied together by fate. So I decided to try it out as a summer job.
One booking took me to Hong Kong to do commercials. As soon as I got here, I loved it.
I was still based in Vienna. A few years later, I met my boyfriend [Simon Yam]—who later became my husband. I thought it would make sense for me to move here.
I had been working as a model for about five years when we met. We were shooting a commercial together. The photographer who was in charge of it was a good friend, and also knew Simon. After we were done working we would all go out for dinner. We got along really well.
At Paris Fashion Week, he happened to be in town. He came to see me and we went out for dinner together.
My friends were all saying to me, “What yuanfen [fate/destiny] he’s here. He’s probably into you.” I was quite simple then and thought, “No, it can’t possibly be!”
But then I started missing him a lot. We were friends for a year before we started dating.
I never go out to these high society balls, unless it’s for a good cause. It’s always the same people.
I do think that Hong Kong people have really good hearts—they’re unselfish and always willing to help others. If there is an earthquake somewhere, Hong Kong is always the first to step out and help.
The fashion industry here has changed a lot. The biggest change is that Hong Kong now faces this big window that is China. The market is completely different now. If you are a model, you have more opportunities and your road is a lot wider.
Hong Kong is a place of acceptance. It lets you in, and that’s a good thing.
Every society has a different voice. I welcome mainland tourists coming to Hong Kong—it’s good for the economy.
Good tourism equals a good economy. Mainland tourists might make up 10 percent of sales at Times Square and Harbour City. At Sasa and Bonjour, they are half the shoppers. You can’t underestimate that.
There are a lot of people in Hong Kong who like to say not very nice things. But if we don’t have those tourists coming, if we don’t have mainlanders coming to shop, invest or buy property, wouldn’t you be worried?
I’m not talking about people being able to drive cars with a Chinese license plate into Hong Kong. It’s to do with tourists. Hong Kong should open its arms and embrace them.
The Hong Kong government can do a lot to improve the tourism industry, and make it easier for people who do want to visit the city. At the end of the day, it’s Hongkongers who benefit.
I feel like life is fun because there is so much that is unknown.
Through life you might do silly things, but 10 years later you can look back and smile at the memory of it all. That’s part of growing and learning.
You might feel sad about certain things, but it might be the gods’ way of teaching you kindness, wisdom and how to become more optimistic.
The gods are clever like that—they lead you to better places in a positive direction.
If you’ve never made a mistake, how else would you grow up? I don’t think life should be filled with regrets.
You can educate yourself culturally, or work on your etiquette. Or if you’re bad at science, you can improve it. In society today, there’s just so much to absorb.
I wouldn’t retire. I think working is actually really good for you and is the key to looking beautiful.
If you are kept busy, you look after yourself. If someone isn’t working, they give up on themselves.
I’m married and have a daughter, and I put my family first—but I still like working. It lets you constantly improve yourself and keep up with society. You keep that energy going.
I don’t sleep a lot. I wake up at 6am every day to spend time with my daughter before she goes to school. Then I begin my day.
Models and their beauty sleep? I don’t have that.
Some people might think being a tai tai makes them happy, but I wouldn’t like that.
It’s not about money. I like being busy and living a life with value.


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HK Magazine Archive

Qi Qi

Magazines

Shanghai-born Qi Qi was one of Hong Kong’s original supermodels. She has appeared on the runways of countless fashion shows and graced the covers of almost every fashion bible out there. She’s also married to acting legend Simon Yam. She tells Andrea Lo why she moved to Hong Kong, how she met her husband and gives some surprising tips on looking good.
