US-based ex-model Hanis Hussey at 60: ‘I’ve grown to appreciate Singapore’s order and stability’

SINGAPORE – At 18, Hanis Hussey was the first Singaporean model to walk the runway of Paris Fashion Week when she closed the fall/winter show of French label Yves Saint Laurent in 1983.

The statuesque teen was even handpicked to be the muse of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and became the in-house model for his eponymous brand.

Her international career took off and she strutted the catwalks of Paris, Milan and Tokyo, working with luxury fashion houses like Givenchy, Balmain, Christian Dior, Valentino and Versace. 

In 1997, she graced the cover of Time Magazine Asia as a model for an article on anti-ageing scientific innovations. That year, she retired from modelling to spend time with her two daughters and son. Her American husband Steven Hussey, 68, works in aviation.

Hanis Hussey moved to Dallas, Texas, in 2016 because of his job. She went on to become a sleep coach, and in 2020, joined American sleep wellness company Somnvie Luxury Bedding, selling bedroom essentials such as pillows and bedsheets. She also hosts sleep wellness talks and runs a mobile bedding concierge service. 

Her children – Chris, 36; Nicole, 31; and Lisa, 28 – are married and have settled in California. She is also grandmother to Nicole’s three children – Alaia, nine; Mason, two; and three-month-old Theodore.

Hussey, who turns 60 on Aug 16, will be celebrating her birthday milestone in San Diego, California, where she will be relocating to in the near future.

 What is your core memory of Singapore?

I commissioned a custom painting from Singapore artist Sunar Sugiyou just before I relocated to Texas.

Coincidentally, he was my childhood neighbour in our kampung in Jalan Mashhor, near the Singapore Polo Club. I asked him to paint a scene that captured that part of my life – playing outdoors with the neighbourhood kids and moments with my grandparents.

He nailed it. Every detail was spot on – the energy, the setting, the spirit of that time. It became the most precious piece of art I own. 

The painting hangs in my dining room and is often the centrepiece of conversations around the table. It is more than art; it is my core memory of Singapore brought to life on canvas.

What do you consider your biggest contribution to Singapore?

Representing Singapore internationally during my younger years as a model, especially in places like Paris. It was a true honour. Whether it was on the runway or in public appearances, I always carried the Singapore name with pride. That pride hasn’t faded – it is still with me today.

What do you love or hate about the country?

I love the food, efficiency and multicultural harmony, and Singapore’s incredible spirit of innovation. 

If there’s one thing I found challenging living in Singapore, it’s the constant pressure to keep up – the fast pace of life and the drive for perfection can be overwhelming. 

But after living in the US for the past eight years, I’ve grown to appreciate Singapore even more, especially its law, order and stability.

What is one thing you miss about the Singapore of your childhood?

Running barefoot in the kampung, celebrating Hari Raya and Malay weddings, sharing food with neighbours and the carefree spirit of community life. 

I often tell these stories to my nine-year-old granddaughter. Her eyes would light up with curiosity. She even asked me to speak at her school for International Day in 2026, about what life was like growing up in a Singapore village. That really touched me.

What is the best and worst thing about being 60?

Honestly, I never quite remember my age until National Day comes around; I just follow Singapore’s age.

The best thing? The confidence and clarity that come with experience. I know who I am. 

The worst? Let’s just say the knees don’t bounce back like they used to. But overall, I feel strong, grateful and excited for what’s to come.

SG60’s theme is Building Our Singapore Together. What would you like the Singapore of the future to look like?

I love this year’s theme, it is so powerful. It reminds me of the unity and shared vision that truly set Singapore apart. I’d love to see a future Singapore that places as much value on emotional and mental wellness as it does on academic and financial success. I hope to see a Singapore where the next generation feels safe, heard and supported in every way – mind, body and spirit.

And what does your next era look like?

It will be purpose over pressure. I want to travel more, spend quality time with my children and grandchildren, and create meaningful connections. 

I hope to leave behind not just products, but also stories, wisdom, kindness and inspiration, especially for anyone ready to start afresh, no matter their age.