Fuyao is the cutest human in existence, as evidenced by that time she swung by Sydney for MBFWA. While she was in town, we did what any self-respecting tour guides would do and took her down to Bronte beach to kick a ball around, ride on the toy train, and splash around in the (freezing!) shallows. All the while wearing the most wacky and wonderful clothes we could find, including tie dye tees, chunky sandals your dad would be proud of, and a wacky inflatable tubeman-esque jumper!
After we'd reached our Vitamin C quota, we popped over to Porch & Parlour in Bondi to conduct our first ever Google Translate-aided interview. The future is officially here! Cop the results of our fun day out above, then get to know the China-based honey better below (in English and Chinese). Your day will be much sunnier as a result, we promise.
What is your name, and nickname?
My name is Fuyao Li. My friends sometimes call me baby or babe for fun.
我的名字叫李芙瑶,我的朋友一般都叫我就是,什么开玩笑的那种,就是宝宝啊、宝贝啊之类的。
How long have you been modeling for?
I’ve been learning to become a professional model since September of 2016, and have been working professionally for a year.
从学习到出道,从2016年的9月初开始学习,然后到现在,出道的话,差不多一年左右。
What do you like to do outside of modelling?
I think I like what most regular girls like. Like shopping and buying things— especially clothes, accessories, and cosmetics. I love to buy cosmetics, although I don’t have that much money now. I also like to read fashion magazines, because I think I’m not very good at dressing up, so I’m learning.
应该是,女人都喜欢的,就是比较喜欢逛街,买买买之类的。买衣服啊,然后各种饰品,还有化妆品。喜欢疯狂的买化妆品,虽然没有钱。然后平时还喜欢看一些时尚杂志,因为我觉得自己的搭配不是很好,所以正在学习搭配。
How was fashion week in Sydney?
It was really amazing. This is my first time modeling at a fashion week outside China—I used to just model in Beijing and Shanghai, so the first time modeling in a foreign country really surprised me. I feel everything is better than in China, so China still has a lot to learn.
真的很不可思议。因为第一次走出国内的时装周,因为我只走过北京和上海的,第一次走国外的时装周,真的很惊喜让我,就是各种方面我感觉都比中国的好,就是觉得中国还有要学习的地方。
What’s your favorite food?
Being Chinese, I don’t know why, but I have a particular fondness for foreign desserts—and also things like steak and pasta. Although there are so many kinds of local foods in China, I don’t really like any—I think it’s because I’m really picky when it comes to food, so I don’t really have a favourite food. Maybe I’ll say dessert, like bread or cake, and pasta, and also Japanese Tonkotsu Ramen—I find it very yummy.
作为一个中国人,我也不知道为什么就是喜欢国外的那些面包、糕点之类的,然后还有牛排各种,还有意面。因为中国的很多,中国很多地方的特色餐,但是我并不吃的惯,因为我这个人挑食特别严重,所以我最喜欢的食物其实是没有,没有最喜欢的,因为我挑食很严重,我也不知道我最喜欢吃什么,差不多就是些小糕点之类的,面包、蛋糕、点心之类的吧,还有意面,还有那个日本的筒骨拉面,我觉着特别好吃。
If you were any character who would you be?
I really don’t know who would I be if I was to play a character. Actually, my agency asked me when I started if I would like to work as an actress. I used to dream about it when I was little, but I am quite introverted, so I think I’d lack the guts to actually do it. But if my agency asks me to try acting, then of course I can learn. But back to the question, I think anything is okay for me—it all depends the director.
这个我也不知道耶,电影角色的话,我会是谁?其实我,中国的公司本来一开始问过我有没有想过转影视方面当演员之类的。其实我小时候也有想过这个,但是我感觉我这个人太内向了,可能就是不敢的那种,胆子小,不敢演。其实如果公司或者工作要求让我转影视的话,我可以转的,我可以学习,但是那个,我会选谁的话,其实我都ok,主要是看那个导演,或者经纪人给我怎么安排。
What music do you listen to?
What music type? I normally like English, Japanese or Korean songs that are more on the pop music side of things. But I also like Chinese folk songs, that are more on the gentle side.
听什么音乐?我平时喜欢听一些欧美的和日韩的比较流行一点的,还有比较high一点的,还有,但是我也喜欢民谣,就是温柔一点的,就是这种类型的。
What do you like to do in China?
I mostly like to go out with friends. I like to have a close friend with me when going out—we can go shopping together, see a movie, or get a manicure or our hair done together. If I’m alone, I’ll probably just stay at home, get some sleep, watch TV or a movie. That’s about it.
在中国喜欢干什么?就是约朋友出去玩。我比较喜欢就是有个女性朋友陪我出去,就是相当于闺蜜那种级别的好朋友跟我一起逛街,或者一起出去做指甲、做头发。嗯,有时候自己一个人的话会喜欢赖在家里,就睡觉,然后看电视,或者比较喜欢看电影,但是也是喜欢和朋友出去看电影。可能就是,对,差不多就这些吧。
Where would you take someone visiting your hometown for the first time?
If you come to China, I’ll show you around to see some of the culture, and also try the street food. So basically lots of food and lots of fun.
如果你们要来中国的话,我可以就是带你们了解一下中国的文化,吃遍中国的各种小吃,各种好吃的,然后带你们各种玩。
Words: Maddy Woon Images & Fashion: Chloe Hill & Maddy Woon
Fuyao is represented by:
IMG WORLDWIDE
Shot on location at Bronte Beach in Sydney, Australia