“I’m really all about good vibes. My sound is familiar with an edge, I think I visually represent that too”

At the very beginning Eve started out as a Disney Princess in Tokyo Disneyland and competed in hip hop dance competitions. She started modeling around 2009 with Vivien’s in Sydney. Eve moved onto DJing five years ago when she bought herself some second-hand decks and taught herself how to play after being frustrated and bored with the music she heard in clubs as a model. She saw potential in fusing fashion and music. When she moved to Hong Kong in 2011 for a modeling contract, she picked up a DJ residency at Fly HK… starting Hip Hop night Wasted Wednesdays with Anil Ahuja. Eve now resides in Hong Kong and LA signed with Ford Models. She’s also been the music director for Hong Kong Fashion Week 2012 and 2013. As for modelling, she’s worked with brands from Levi’s, Forever 21, House of Holland to Christian Louboutin, 3.1 Philip Lim, Chloe and Juicy Couture. She has DJed fashion parties for high-profile events for Vanity Fair, Louis Vuitton, and even played the Playboy Mansion Halloween Party, Givenchy, Chloe, Topshop launch LA, House of Holland, Ksubi, Forever 21, Bershka launch Manila, Levi’s, MCM, Lane Crawford x Vogue Fashion’s Night Out, Superga, Juicy Couture, 3.1 Phillip Lim. Eve has starred in music videos for artists like Tiesto, and collaborated with clothing brand W.I.P in Hong Kong on an urban street-wear collection. She hangs out with Lauren Engel in one of Hong Kong’s skateparks.

Do you get labelled as a female model/DJ, how do you differentiate yourself from the negative connotations associated with that stereotype?

Yeah, that’s definitely been a label that hasn’t always had positive connotations for me… But I think once anyone sees me play live, they can tell I’m not just relying on the “model” thing. I care so much about what I’m doing when I’m DJing, I honestly prefer to wrap up a set with sweat dripping from my face and my mascara smudged. I think I’d quit before I became another dipshit with fake tits banging out EDM in a bikini, and I think it’s pretty obvious from the way I present myself that I don’t cash in on the whole ‘model/dj’ sex-sells image, I’m really all about good vibes. My sound is familiar with an edge, I think I visually represent that too. I don’t want to be threatening or unapproachable to anybody, I’d like to think I can bring together pretty disparate crowds and unite them with a broad range of genres… that’s certainly my aim when I DJ and also when I’m branding myself.

What are the differences that you play for fashion parties compared to regular club nights?

Fashion parties are so specific, you’re working within the confines of the brand’s directive, the vibe of the event, the location and the crowd present etc. So say for Topshop, Nike, Coach, Red Bull etc, I’ll play a mix of indie dance, nu wave, hip hop remixes, future bass etc while still catering to the brand’s aesthetic. For a club night it’s much more driven by what I like, what’s relevant and the what’s good for the venue. Not to mention club nights are often directed around the dance floor and keeping people moving. For a fashion party I tend to create more of an atmosphere that people can comfortably mingle and talk in, as close to an audio representation of the brand that I can manage.

Have you considered producing music for the next level of your music career?

That’s exactly what I’m working towards right now. It’s funny, I was really reticent to produce for a LONG time… I have always felt I’m more of a curator than a creator. However, in order to step up to the plate and really push forward with my career I need to get in the studio and start working on remixes with other producers and then later hopefully release originals that really showcase my sound. Right now producers & DJ’s that I really look up to include Murlo, Oneman, Ape Drums, Thugli, Kutmah, Danny L. Harle and ODESZA.

What was your input in collaborating with W.I.P for the urban streetwear collection?

That whole collection started with WIP approaching me about doing a one-off Eve Speciall crop top… which somehow snowballed into a 26 piece collection! The designer of WIP, Kay, sat down with me and we fleshed out who we were designing for, a cool young woman with irreverent style and a knack for dressing outside of the box. Then we sketched the bones of the collection, the pieces that were essential and built a mini wardrobe around that. So we had oversized denim jackets in indigo and acid-wash, fine knit co-ords, boyfriend tee’s and and velvet crop tops. I do feel sorry for Kay though cause he had the tough job of interpreting my shitty sketches into samples. I’m super happy with the result though and it was so fun to do. Everyone involved delivered so it was a really happy process.

How is being filmed for Tiesto’s music video different to modeling?

Oh god. They seem really similar, working with still and motion cameras but they are entirely different beasts. Anyone who knows me knows how uncomfortable I am with acting. Modeling for a photoshoot and performing in front of a moving camera are completely different… Shooting for a still camera is so much easier for me because I have years of experience to draw from, whereas I’m completely green at acting. When I was cast in the video I didn’t know that I was the lead and going to be in every scene. I got the breakdown the night before the shoot and didn’t sleep at all because the anxiety was so bad… going into it I was convinced I was going to waste a lot of people’s time and money because I have no real experience or training as an actor. But I lucked out cause the director Isaac Rentz happens to be the nicest guy on the planet and he immediately relieved any fears I had about epically fucking up. I still don’t think I can act, but I’m proud that I pulled through something that was so far out of my comfort zone. Honestly I would do it again a thousand times over, it was that fun.

Anything you learned on the way?

Throughout my career? Don’t date male models. It won’t last. Trust me.

What are your most played songs on your iTunes in the last month?

1. Du Tonc – Monkey Gone To Heaven
2. YG – Twist My Fingaz
3. Dactyl – Pure Sin
4. WET – I Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl
5. Skepta – Back Then
6. Royksopp – I Had This Thing (Jooris Voorn Remix)
7. E-40 – Choices (Yup)
8. Sophie – EEEEHHH
9. Townes Van Zandt – Waitin’ Around to Die
10. Jamie XX – I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times) (ft. Yung Thug & Popcaan)
11. Club Cheval – From the Basement to the Roof (Oliver remix)
12. Jay Z – Always Be My (Sunshine)
13. Drake – 6 God (Thugli remix)
14. Mugsy – French Bitches
15. Hayden James – Something About You
16. Ratatat – Nightclub Amnesia
17. Swim Good x Merival – Since You Asked (Star Slinger Remix)
18. Kali Uchis – Rush
19. Troyboi ft Armani White – Do You?
20. Unkwon – Everything