The fashion icon talks about confidence, beauty, and her modelling academy

[This story first appeared on Koktail Magazine Issue 3.]

Best known for her memorable appearances as one of the mentors on reality shows The Face Thailand and The Face Men Thailand, “Lukkade” Metinee Kingpayom Sharples is a model, actress, and television presenter—and an icon in the Thai fashion industry. Prior to her career in media, she won Miss Thailand World 1992 and represented the country in the international competition, where she was crowned Continental Queen of Asia and Oceania. After her arrival back home, she starred in a variety of fashion-related television shows, dramas, and films. Her presence has also been immortalised on the covers of the Thai editions of Elle, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar.

Now, after years of experience in her field, she is ready to pass on the torch to a new generation and show what it means to shine like a star. And by that, Muse by Metinee was born.

“Muse by Metinee is an academy that helps you improve your confidence and your personality,” says its founder. While there are programmes for those who are interested, specifically, in pursuing a professional career in modelling or pageantry, that isn’t the requirement to enrol at Muse. “If you simply want to learn how to walk like a model or exude that kind of confidence in life, we can help you,” says Lukkade.

“Lukkade” Metinee Kingpayom Sharples

The school is accepting of individuals of all genders and from as young as age four. The basic skill that all Muse students learn to master is working the catwalk—how to shift their weight, strike their pose, and captivate on the runway. “This is the foundation for elevating your charisma and how you present yourself to the world,” Lukkade explains.

At the end of every class, Muse by Metinee hosts mini fashion shows for the students, where parents, friends, or anyone interested is encouraged to join. “That’s how we help people who may be shy or have low self-esteem build their confidence,” Lukkade says. “If the students can gather up the courage to walk down the runway knowing that people are watching them, that’s when their confidence begins.”

For Lukkade, confidence is one of the most important traits to possess. “In these times, especially when social media has become a part of our daily lives, it’s very common to compare ourselves to others and think that we’re just not good enough.” She continues, “We have a better chance at success and at moving up in life if we have confidence—because we believe that we’re worth it. When you lack self-esteem, you’re less likely to leave your comfort zone and go out to communicate with other people.”

There’s good news and there’s bad news when it comes to being confident in the modern world. “Beauty standards have changed a lot,” says Lukkade. “In 2022, you can see all types of models representing different kinds of bodies. Nowadays, if you want to pursue a career in modelling, you don’t need to be so tall. You don’t need to be so skinny or have certain proportions.”

Lukkade coaches a student on their posture

However, this means much more competition, where it all boils down to standing out in a positive way. Slap on top of that a few other factors, like the pandemic, the dwindling down of fashion magazines, and the turn towards celebrities and influencers with huge followings for modelling jobs. Lukkade sums it up: “It’s so difficult to climb the ladder as just a model.”

So, her advice to the aspiring Gigi Hadids and Kendalls out there: be well-rounded. This is precisely why Muse also offers singing and dance classes such as hip-hop, K-pop, and Latin for its modelling students and is looking to expand into a fully-fledged school of arts, offering courses on all things creative—from photography and design to playing instruments.

“Be a reviewer, a YouTuber, a celebrity; try to dance, sing, and act,” encourages the modelling maven. “And whatever you do, have confidence through every step of the way.”

One of Muse by Metinee’s fashion shows