Daiyan Trisha shares the paradox of being herself and a guest editor at GRAZIA Malaysia.
I’ve always loved the idea of working together (with GRAZIA) with creative freedom. Even though I’ve been on GRAZIA Malaysia’s digital cover before, it’s always been a set theme—but being the guest editor this time, Ian [GRAZIA Malaysia editor-in-chief] and I wanted this issue to be curated in a way that is not limited by brands or themes. I thought: “How do we expand or go beyond the usual creativity and experiment with other themes?”
And that’s me. I’m always up for that kind of creative freedom. Being a mass artist sometimes means that you steer away from experimenting so much, but I don’t want to limit myself just because other people might have an opinion about it. That’s why I came up with this Paradox theme—and also, I’ve always wanted to go blonde.
This idea has been years in the making since Ian and I talked about it, maybe two years ago? For some reason, it clicked to try being blonde. I wanted it to be something different from anything I’ve done before, and Paradox is the opposite value of who I am as a person. I think everybody has a paradoxical side to them, and doing this cover is exploring that side.
THOM BROWNE, Top, Skirt
MAX MARA, Shoes
UZAIR SHOID, Top
THOM BROWNE, Top, Skirt
MAX MARA, Shoes
FAURÉ LE PAGE, Ladies First 24 Saga Black Jacquard and Calfskin Leather Bag in Black
On taking a stand
As a guest editor, I also wanted to use this opportunity to share my values and principles—my stand. I wanted to feature more local brands; I feel they have really bloomed and pushed the glass ceiling of being independent and instilling their own brand DNA instead of pushing trends. The other story close to my heart is the feature I’ll be doing with American-Palestinian director Cherien Dabis.
It all began with my involvement in the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) as the ambassador. I got to watch some of the nominated films, and one of them was All That’s Left of Us. It was directed, produced, and starred Dabis. She easily became one of my role models after I watched it. I found myself sobbing in the cinema because it’s something close to my heart; it discusses very heavy themes of the genocide and how you stand with humanity, and the grey areas that people don’t really talk about. How do I even express it?
The movie was so profound, heavy, and depressing in a way that it forces you to delve deeply within yourself and ask truly hard questions. It really opened my eyes in the sense that a lot of people avoid those questions just to have an easier daily life. As we are progressing and becoming more informed about what’s happening on the other side of the world, I don’t think it’s acceptable to just close one eye and continue to live our lives without being at all affected by what’s happening in Palestine. And so, having this platform to showcase the movie is very important for me.
UZAIR SHOID, Top, Skirt
On staying true
I have always been inspired by how GRAZIA Malaysia has always stayed true to being GRAZIA. It’s so easy to sometimes shift a little—the image, the branding—but the GRAZIA Malaysia team has always been firm in its direction, and that inspires me to be more solid with myself and my individuality. With artistry and creativity, I like to think of a big tree with powerful, deep roots. You need strong roots to ensure the tree doesn’t shake—and I feel like GRAZIA Malaysia has that. It challenges me because there’s a certain standard we have to achieve to be that tree…which is why I feel honoured to be a part of and involved in the creative decisions this issue. I know the final result will be great because of this standard everyone has.
On the power of media and journalism
Power is not something I’m after. It’s not what I do with the power, but instead acknowledging that space exists. If you be yourself, that space will exist for you—but what do you do with that space? I don’t really want to call it power because sometimes, being unapologetically yourself or having boundaries and principles scares people. They’re afraid that some opportunities are going to slide away, or they’d lose things. But I feel that if you stand firm, the right people, opportunities, and projects will come to you and give you the space to be yourself. In fact, this partnership (with GRAZIA Malaysia) is the result of that. It’s great to be in a space where we can be fearless in letting people know what we stand for. Be creative and stand high on our principles.
FORGET ME NOTS, Corset, Skirt
FAURÉ LE PAGE, Faurever 23 Scale Canvas and Calfskin Leather Bag in Paris Blue
On the good she wants to do in this world
I think there’s strength in knowing who you are as a person. And, for me, personally, it’s just easier to move forward and achieve whatever you want to achieve when your roots are strong. It’s such an important thing to have as a human being. You’re not easily swayed, and that’s why having principles is important to me.
Even if I’m one person in a million who has this kind of mindset, I can still change the world. You really can come together and be the change that you want to see. If I inspire even one more person to be fearless in being themselves, then it’s a domino effect of changing the world.
Photography: Nelson Chong
Creative Direction: Ian Loh
Styling: Joseph Cheng
Hair: Juno Ko
Makeup: Jenn Teh
Styling Assistants: Sarah Chong, Lorraine Chai, Adrianna Haris
Photography Assistants: Bernard, Ken, Zachary, Ethan
Video Director & Editor: Jasmine Wong
Director of Photography: Tim Chan
Camera Assistant: Chua
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