Asia’s First Supermodel: Walk Like Anna Bayle

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Decades before Catriona Gray’s famous “lava walk” and “slow-mo twirl”, there was the renowned and legendary “Anna Bayle walk” (pronounced as “Bay-lee”). This so-called walk was coined by the New York Times in reference to the unique runway strut that was made famous by Asia’s first Supermodel, Filipina beauty, Anna Bayle.  In an article written in 1988, the New York Times described Anna Bayle’s goddess glide “as if she were crushing a cigarette butt with each step down the runway.” Oohh, fierce! Anna Bayle is the original glamazon who defined the 80’s haute fashion scene; covering magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and W to name a few; appearing in various advertising campaigns from cosmetics to clothings, and walking the runways of the most fabled names in fashion: Thierry Mugler, Christian Lacroix, Givenchy, Azzedine Alaïa, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Valentino, Ungaro, Versace, et al.

On the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, Italian edition, which can still be seen online today. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

I first came across Anna Bayle when I was a young and impressionable teenager living and studying in London during the 80’s. At that time, my life was heavily influenced by European pop culture and fashion. I can’t remember the particular year, but my mom bought an Italian edition of  Harper’s Bazaar magazine with Anna Bayle on the front cover. I was captivated as it was the first time I saw someone on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar whose Filipina looks I could identify with. Incidentally, you can still see this particular Harper’s Bazaar Italian edition online!

It was definitely one of those “I-have-to-pinch-myself” moments as I could hardly believe that an Asian woman could actually be on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar magazine because in those days, her exotic Asian beauty was both rare and uncommon. Not too many Asians were featured on the cover of top magazines; in fact, only half-caste models such as Cusi Cram and Phoebe Cates were featured on the front covers of the magazines. 

I followed Anna Bayle’s career ever since and I was always proud of her success and achievements as she rose to become one of the top 10 models of the world in the 80’s. Together with Brooke Shields, Anna Bayle became a source of inspiration for me as I navigated through my teenage years.

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Fast forward to 2023 and I get the first wonderful opportunity for this year: to interview Anna Bayle. Yay, that’s a tick off my bucket list!  I was admittedly scared and wasn’t hopeful at all that she’d respond to my request. Imagine my surprise, when Anna Bayle immediately responded to my request with a positive answer. Our email and messenger exchanges were so delightful it’s definitely going to be for keeps; oh, and she has the coolest and sexiest voice I’ve ever heard! I know, I’m gushing — sorry, not sorry! Not only that, she’s been most gracious and generous all throughout our conversations. Suffice to say, I was absolutely gobsmacked and star struck! I was  charmed and impressed with her genuine kindness and generosity. It made me realized that these were her secrets to her success. Anna Bayle became Asia’s first Supermodel because she always had the right attitude in life. Let’s revisit Philippine’s Pride and how she became The Anna Bayle. 

HOW IT ALL STARTED 

Born in 1956 to a family of seven, Anna was a scholar from the Philippine Science High School and was a pre-med student at the University of the Philippines when her friends encouraged her to join a beauty contest — the 1976 Miss Republic of the Philippines where she was declared Miss Luzon or the equivalent of a first runner up. Her beauty is reminiscent of Paul Gaugin’s women in his paintings: satiny, glossy brown skin with long black shiny hair and soulful dark doe eyes. Anna shares, “I was a scholar all my life. I was inspired to become a neurosurgeon, but destiny had a different plan for me.” Indeed, the universe has other plans for this statuesque 5’10½” stunner: one of Philippines’ top fashion designers, Auggie Cordero took Anna under his wings and mentored her after he spotted her at the pageant. Anna was a fast learner and from Auggie Cordero, she learned everything there is to learn in the fashion industry at a young age.

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Under Cordero’s tutelage, Anna remembers, “The very first time I walked on the runway in the Philippines, it was for Chito Vijandre and Larry Leviste (upcoming young designers in the Philippines at that time). When you have a history of doing theatre plays and winning declamation contests and spelling bees, then, going on stage is not foreign to me. In theatre, it is a matter of having confidence, stage presence and elocution. You still need to have all of that when you walk down the runway. The difference is that at the fashion ramp, you were judged more by your body, face, beauty and your grace whereas in the theatre stage, you are judged more by your elocution, stage presence, confidence and intelligence.”

THE ROAD TO BECOMING ASIA’S FIRST SUPERMODEL 

Once again, the universe showed its sense of humour and conspired to change this teenage model’s destiny. Anna fondly recalls how she got started in the international fashion scene, “The Hyatt models (which I was a part of) were on a trip to Hong Kong for Auggie Cordero. It was my first trip out of the country. It was a great experience and since that fateful trip, I have not looked back. It certainly changed my life! During that trip, I met my then fiancé, a famous English newscaster, the equivalent of Brian Jennings in American news casting. Because of my relationship, I relocated and lived in Hong Kong for 4 years. It was in Hong Kong where I first understood that I am as good as the other international models.”

Anna adds, “In Hong Kong, I was doing well as a fashion model and was busy working; I was slowly getting noticed and was always seen in all of Hong Kong’s lifestyle news. This was a difficult feat as the jobs were controlled by two Chinese models — Ellen and Susan Lee. These two Chinese girls had a monopoly on all the modelling jobs, but fortunately for me, they liked me enough to book me even though I was of a different race and nationality. From my dealings with Ellen and Susan, I learned that it was important to be likeable in this business. It was great that I had a likeable personality because that certainly helped me secure the best fashion jobs in Hong Kong.”

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Anna continues, “In Hong Kong, they have the yearly Hong Kong Fashion Trade Gala where foreign models were imported to walk the runway at the gala show. It was always directed by Julius Schofield from England. They had fashion models with  big names like Billie Blair, Carol Miles and Toukie Smith. This particular fashion gala was supposed to be “The Ultimate Fashion Show”, complete with awesome choreography and some dancing movements, which the models had already rehearsed a week before the show. That day, I was booked for a photoshoot for British Vogue and my photographer was Lord Patrick Lichfield, the famous aristocratic photographer. I thought after my photoshoot, I’d head towards the Gala show to watch it.”

Anna elaborates, “When I arrived at the venue and on my way to the elevator, a frantic woman grabbed my arm and asked me: “Are you Anna Bayle, the model?” When I replied yes, she immediately shepherded me backstage and was led towards the fashion dressers. They immediately stripped me off my street clothes and dressed me with the clothes that were intended for the gala. The fashion director, Julius Schofield, instructed that he will guide me on what to do before I step out on the runway. I was surprised by what’s happening but being a professional, I went with the flow. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and then I saw Billie Blair’s name on top of the mirror. It suddenly dawned on me that I was replacing Billie Blair in the gala! They told me that Billie had an unfortunate accident earlier in the morning, hence I was replacing their star model!”

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Anna further says, “African American model Toukie Smith (the sister of the RTW designer Willi Smith), smiled at me and reassured me, “Just follow what I’m doing and you’ll be fine!” I did what I was told and just followed the other models. I also paced myself so there was symmetry on the runway, then my adrenaline kicked in and I just modelled and did what the other models were doing. I had fun and was told by the fashion director that the other models and I did a great job! After the show, the organizers quickly grabbed me and put me in a separate room where I was met with hundreds of photographers with their cameras clicking and bulbs flashing! It was a room filled with Chinese press. I was overwhelmed. These press people worked for the Hong Kong dailies so no one really spoke English. I called my fiancé to rescue me, as I was still so young then, and I was not used to all the attention. I didn’t know how to give interviews. The following day, my face was plastered all over the front pages of all the Hong Kong newspapers with the same headline: THE FILIPINA THAT SAVED THE SHOW. I realized after that fortuitous event, that if I can take the place of a star model, I can become one too!”

LIFE AS A SUPERMODEL 

Shortly after, Anna worked in the Paris fashion scene for four years with the hopes of relocating to New York. In Paris, her first fashion show was with French fashion doyen, Thierry Mugler. Anna vividly reminisces, “My first fashion show in Paris was with Thierry. It was the most sought after fashion ticket. I was sitting down waiting for the hairdressers to do my hair. Jerry Hall, who has this famous signature long blonde locks came up to me and said: “Oh you have such beautiful hair!” I replied, “I can say the same for you.” For me, everyone is beautiful in their own special way. Moreover, It is important to believe that I was just as beautiful as the other models, in order to feel I belong. I have to constantly remind myself that I’m just as beautiful and just as good.”

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

From that first fashion show in Paris, Anna walked the runways for the top fashion powerhouse brands in and outside of Paris, New York, London, Milan, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Berlin. She was signed up by the Elite Modelling Agency where only the high-end models are signed up. She did major global campaigns for fashion houses and well known cosmetic brands. Photography icons took photos of Anna for various magazines — Helmut Newton, Francesco Scavullo, Sir Patrick Lichfield, Norman Parkinson, and Richard Avedon. She became a signature model for both YSL and Azzedine Alaïa, whom Anna fondly calls “Papa”.

Photography by Norman Parkinson. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Anna Bayle became more in demand and quickly rose to become one of the top 3 models in the 80’s. She reigned over the fashion runway together with her two contemporaries, Iman and Dalma. Anna Bayle commanded diva fees and was considered the highest paid model of her time. Anna, Iman, Dalma, Brooke Shields, Ines de La Fressange, and Jerry Hall paved the way for the next batch of top models in the late 80’s and mid-90’s: Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Claudia Schiffer. Just a fun fact, Anna Bayle mentored both Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista!

When asked about the secret to her modelling success, Anna replies, “Everyone I have worked with would often describe me as the quintessential professional, which I took pride in. I was always on time. I was always ready and I always came well prepared on the job. I always gave them what they wanted. In return, they would always book me all the time, throughout the years. As soon as I was booked by a designer and they experienced what it’s like to work with me, they would rebook me and would continuously use me as their in-house model for years. The two main reasons why I was so successful with my modelling career was because I was always consistent and highly disciplined.”

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

I asked her two questions that most interviewees probably always ask her (but I still asked, because I really had to know): Who was your favourite designer that you worked with and which other model did you have a great working experience with? Anna moans, “Arrggh, I always get asked these questions! I loved all of the designers I worked with. Maybe that is why they all loved me too! They’re all different from each other because they all have their own personalities. They were all masters of their craft.  For me, fashion is an art form. Everything that the designers create is beautiful, just like art. Each time a fashion show finishes, there is always a party and designers send their garments to your home or your hotel, for you to wear to the party. I always make it a point to decline because I do not want to choose whose design I am going to wear. I have so much respect for all the people I worked with and I did not want them to think that I’d choose other designers over them. Fashion designers are humans too; they get possessive and jealous.”

Anna goes on, “I was discovered by Thierry Mugler so I am very close to him. He made me a star, so I am very grateful to him. I was called a Mugler girl when I first arrived in Paris and on his 10th-anniversary collection, I took on the role of a Mugler angel. But at the same time, I also grew up in Azzedine Alaïa’s atelier, fitting all his clothes. It was at Papa Azzedine’s atelier where I learned to speak French. There was a time in Paris, when I wore nothing but Alaïa’s clothes. I also love Christian Lacroix and I always went down on my knees and prayed the night before his couture shows; Lacroix’s couture shows were extremely special to me. I also had memorable working experiences with the great, late Yves Saint Laurent — I wrote a blog called “The King and I”, which was about my past work experiences with YSL. With regard to the other models I worked with, they’re all special and fun to work with.”

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

As a successful Supermodel, how has life changed for her? Anna responds, “I felt so lucky and privileged that I was able to travel to different countries and learn their different cultures. I was fortunate to have lived in the most beautiful cities in the world: Paris, New York, Hong Kong, and Manila. But perhaps, the most important thing about being a supermodel is that it was an outlet for my creativity.”

Out of sheer curiosity, I asked Anna what kind of photoshoots are the hardest to do? She answers, “Photographic shoots are a one giant team effort — photographers, stylists, models, makeup artists, hairdressers, lighting, and weather must all cooperate and work together. When one of the above does not cooperate and does not work with everyone, then, the photo shoot becomes difficult to do. But, when everyone gives their absolute best, then, magic happens and beautiful photographs come out of the fashion shoot.”

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

And of course, this interview won’t be complete without discussing the much talked about “Anna Bayle walk”. Anna’s walk became so popular that Paul Groove wrote a song about it! I know this might sound really stupid but I’ll ask anyway: Pray tell, how did she learn the Anna Bayle walk? She giggles and shares, “My walk is how I normally walk, and because I’ve had so many years of experience wearing beautiful clothes while walking the runway, I am able to learn, adjust, and perfect my gait and my stance so that I can best show the dress I’m wearing. Also, one must have this special inner strength when walking a runway and sashaying confidently in front of thousands of spectators. It is so important to have this positive energy from within so when you walk the runway, this vibrant energy exudes from you and gives you such a strong and beautiful aura. It’s really all about the positive energy that’s coming from deep within.”

And what of fame? How was she able to handle the enormity of her fame? Anna remarks, “With much grace and humility. I come from a family of 7 kids and we love each other so much. My siblings will not put up with any arrogance from me. When I am with them, I am just one of them and that has kept me grounded all these years. I even have a brother who uses my magazine covers as his dart board!”

(Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

With regard to sharing tips and advice to aspiring models, Anna shares, “It is important to be yourself because what is special in you is probably what the client is looking for. It is important to understand that being pleasant and professional at work is what the clients will pay for all the time.”

When it comes to her beauty secrets, Anna laughs, “Sleep, sleep, sex, sleep……lots of sex, lots of sleep!”

ALWAYS PROUD OF HER FILIPINO ROOTS 

When Anna Bayle was still in school in the Philippines, her whole family migrated to the US. Anna stayed behind to finish her schooling in Manila. Even when she became an international model, Anna retained her Filipino citizenship and would queue for long hours to get her visas to different countries because she was so proud to be a Filipino. One day, Anna was refused entry to Italy and slept overnight at the airport. The famous Italian designer, Valentino, had to pull strings just to get her out of the airport. From that inconvenient moment, Anna decided to call her Mom and get help with acquiring her US citizenship. However, to this day, Anna is a dual citizen and has always kept her Filipino citizenship and passport.

Photo from Tatler article. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Anna explains, “I am proud to be a Filipino. I am proud of my heritage. I am proud of my brown skin and my long, black hair. It’s common knowledge that I refused to have my hair dyed lighter and cut short when one designer asked me to. Also, in the earlier days of my modelling career, I was asked to change my name to Maria Montezuma but I refused. I am a Filipina.  I’ll always be a Filipina on the way I look, the way I carry myself, the way I think and the way I behave.”

FROM SUPERMODEL TO SUPERMOM

In 1994, Anna Bayle had her final catwalk in Christian Lacroix’s Spring 1994 Haute Couture show in Paris. Anna emphasizes, “I wanted to end on a high note, and when I retired, I never looked back. It’s always best to leave when you’re at the top, which is why I had my final walk with Christian Lacroix.”

Anna adds, “I have reinvented myself so many times. When I retired from modelling, I worked for fashion TV and wrote for fashion newspapers and magazines. After that, I had a very successful lipstick line. Just as I had the best mentors in modelling, I also had the best mentor when it came to my lipstick business — I learned so much from the former head of Esteé Lauder, John Dempsey.” It was also around this time when Anna Bayle divorced from her New Zealander husband, Simon Spence with whom she has one son, Callum. 

Anna stepped away from her business to focus on raising her only son. She became a hands-on single mom to Callum and she raised her son while living off her financial investments from her modelling career. Callum went to a private day school from kindergarten to high school. When Callum went to the prestigious college, Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, Anna decided to go back to work and entered the real estate industry. She had to pay for Callum’s $70,000-a-year tuition fees so she had to go back to a full-time job. Her hard work paid well because Callum was an outstanding student and was also a part of his college’s swimming team.

With her unico hijo Callum. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Anna and her son became so close and inseparable throughout the years. Anna believed that it is important to be physically present for her son 100%. While raising her son as a single parent, Anna had to be both nurturing and tough at the same time. Having learned about her life as a single mom to her unico hijo, I could totally relate to Anna and I fully understand the journey she had while raising her only son. However, it is not all hardships and struggles for us single moms. To quote Meg Lowrey, “Being a single parent is not a life full of struggles, but a journey for the strong.”

Indeed, Anna Bayle got her rewards for being such a SUPERMOM to Callum. Her 25-year-old son graduated in 2019 with Distinction in Liberal Arts Degree and Masteral Arts Degree. He is now dabbling between modelling (just like his Mom) and projection design. According to Anna, “For me, the most important thing is that I raised a kind young man. A young man who is both assertive and independent. I am grateful and proud that I raised a young man with proper life values. Just to give you an insight on what kind of a young man Callum is: he asked my permission if he could skip his graduation rites and instead fly to Prague because he got accepted for a summer job there! Of course, I said yes because I believed that travelling is always a wonderful experience and he will learn a lot from visiting different countries. I don’t want to get in the way of his own adventures.”

A grown-up Callum. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

Now that Callum is grown up, Anna has shifted her focus on becoming a successful real estate broker. Anna divulges, “During the years that I was raising Callum, I’ve been a real estate investor specialist on the side, helping other people find their real estate investment opportunities in New York City. Today, I’m still a realtor and recently, I’ve been awarded numerous accolades by my company, Douglas Elliman, for reaching the number 14 top spot in a group of 2500 agents in New York City. Being a real estate broker turned out to be the perfect job for a former model like me. I am self-employed and I’m thankful that I don’t work in an office environment doing a 9 to 5 job because that’s not for me. I enjoy finding luxury homes for my clients who are so happy with the way I help them find their dream homes.”

Is there anything that she misses in her past life as Asia’s first Supermodel? Anna gushes, “The standing ovations and thunderous applause!”

ANNA BAYLE 2.0

Photo by Norine Perreault for the Tatler article. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Anna Bayle)

It seems that Asia’s first Supermodel also has the Midas touch — anything that she ventures into turns into gold — from being a scholar in school to becoming one of the top 3 models in the world back in the 80’s to transitioning as a successful businesswoman, an awesome writer, a top notch realtor and a SUPERMOM! What is next for Anna Bayle?

Anna dishes, “My aim is to finish writing my book!”

There you go, another feather to add to her beautiful cap! Truly, they don’t make Supermodels like Anna Bayle nowadays. Anna Bayle is in a league of her own. There will always be only one Anna Bayle, the original, and Asia’s first Supermodel. Ladies, what are we waiting for? Let’s walk in life like Anna Bayle!