INTERVIEW with Lucas Soe Chu-Shing || Island Haus Runway 2026 Runway Model
SD: Hi, Lucas. For my readers who don’t know you yet, can you please introduce yourself?
Lucas: Talofa, o lo’u igoa o Lucas Soe Chu-Shing. Hi, My name is Lucas Soe Chu-Shing. I am 19 with Samoan and Chinese heritage. I made my debut in modelling early this year and have since been trying to put a foot through the industry’s door. I love fashion, butter chicken, Luke Combs, and my mum and dad.
SD: Describe your personal style of clothing?
Lucas: I can’t really categorise myself into a specific style. But if I had to choose one word to describe my style, I’d use Eclectic (thank you Sister Act 2).
I find beauty in all fashion aesthetics and amalgamate it all to fit my personality.
SD: When did you know you wanted to be a model?
Lucas: The Met Gala is what brought my friends and I together. Every year in school, we’d have a laptop or phone and pretend we were working, but instead, we were watching the Met live. We rated all the outfits on how well they fit the theme, and the story behind it. We even looked at archived runways to see what we would wear ourselves. As I watched those runways, I discovered a new passion for modelling.
SD: If you could talk to your ten-year-old self, what would you say?
Lucas: To be honest, I don’t even remember what I was doing at ten years old. But I would tell him to Never lose faith in God. I have seen too many miracles in my life to not know that he lives. Trust the Lord in all thine heart and lean not into thine own understanding. In all ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). Be strong, these words have worked miracles for me and they will work for you too!
SD: What has been your most favourite photoshoot to date?
Lucas: My favourite photoshoot so far would have to be the images shown in this interview. About a month ago, I’d hit a point in my life where I had reached an all time low. I felt as though everyday, everything and everyone was working against me and it left me stagnant in achieving my goals and aspirations.
As I prayed consistently and asked for guidance, I came to the realisation that nothing is ever really a loss. We only win, or learn. If something works out, then we gain the outcome. But if something doesn’t work out, then we gain understanding, direction, resilience. Either or, we gain.
In this instance, I had gained wisdom. And the hurt I had felt bought me a much deeper sense of compassion. Perhaps I had to walk through those struggles myself, so that one day I could understand the struggles of others and help them find their way through. Like Jesus.
This had inspired me to create. So I drew my vision. I started designing my outfit, planned the setting, and worked with my siblings and cousins to bring my vision to life. (Shoutout to the Kirifi’s, Renny, and lynnie)
It’s my most meaningful shoot! It is my first time being vulnerable, and it has inspired me to keep creating.
SD: What are you most excited about for Island Haus Runway?
Lucas: Connecting with other Polynesian creatives! The Polynesian talent in Melbourne is so scarce. I feel as thought we’re very underrepresented in the fashion industry. I see a lot of talent and potential within our community, but because we don’t see our own in this space, we don’t believe we belong. But we do. And there is so much talent that needs to be discovered.
Tickets are selling out fast. See Lucas on the runway and buy your tickets HERE
Island Haus Runway:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islandhausrunway/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586227610162
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@islandhausrunway
Lucas Soe Chu-Shing:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucas.soe/
Photo Credits:
First + Second Photo: Taken by Emma-Rain Kirifi and Teniva Kirifi ; Assistants: Lynora Soe Chu-Shing and Lorenzo Soe Chu-Shing
