Centre stage at NZ Fashion Week

Denise Keller. Photo / Supplied.

The jungles of Malaysia are a long, long way from the front row at Air New Zealand Fashion Week, but for Denise Keller the two are just part of a typical week's work.

The Singaporean model and TV presenter - she works for MTV Asia and the Discovery Channel - will bring an elegant international flavour to ANZFW as this year's celebrity guest.

Keller says she's excited about a change of pace from filming in the Malaysian jungles.

"I'm really looking forward to putting on a frock or two and dolling up. It will be fun to have the chance to dress up and be all girly again."

She actually knows about, appreciates and - more importantly - wears New Zealand fashion too.

A fan of Karen Walker and Zambesi, she has already worn pieces from Cybele and Nom*D on screen at MTV.

"As a lover of fashion, of course I love certain brands, but to me it's more about the individual piece of clothing and not necessarily a brand. I'm after something that is unique and can allow me to express my personality.

"I do remember I was filming MTV in Japan two years ago and I was wearing an amazing dice print tunic from Nom*D.

"It's still one of my favourite pieces."

But it's not just about seeing these established labels when she arrives in Auckland.

"For me it's all about seeing new designers and watching the crowd's reaction to the shows. It's going to be really fun."

Fashion as something fun is an idea that informs Keller's own style; expect to see her looking chic when she sits front row at the shows.

"My style changes all the time, so I would have to say that I'm versatile. I love wearing a Gucci gown, but it's not always appropriate, is it? I love pieces that are easy to wear, and with a sense of fun. Away from the cameras, I love something that I can just throw on and still look like a million bucks.

"I love the transformation process of fashion. That it can take an ordinary person, like you or me, and switch things up and allow us to express our individuality. Isn't that amazing?"

Keller's modelling career began at 13, and she has gone on to feature in the likes of Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar as well as in campaigns for companies like Shiseido, Olay, Redken, Sportsgirl, Max Factor and more.

The 27-year-old beauty was also named the Ford Supermodel of the World Singapore in 2000, something she counts as one of her modelling career highlights.

"It really helped me move up the ranks of modelling, and allowed me to start working in Japan, Hong Kong and China."

She was offered a position at MTV Asia in 2002, and is the longest running female presenter on the channel.

"My first day working at MTV was amazing - I was such a dork, but everybody gave me such great support.

"I was discovered at the age of 13, so I guess when you are that young it seems like the coolest thing on the planet. I had to work so hard as a model though. It was gruelling to stay on the top - there is a lot of competition and I pushed myself to always be professional and on time. But as you can imagine, I had a lot of personality just screaming to come out, so MTV was a Godsend."

"After my intense modelling career, it was a blessing and a great way to give a new dimension to my personality, and actually speak to people."

Speaking to people is something that Keller holds close to her heart, slowly making peace with her celebrity and aiming to use it for a good cause.

"Recently my status has allowed me to bring about awareness of certain issues and ways of living. I don't like to force my ideas on to anybody, but I would like to open the eyes of people who watch me about the plight of the planet."

She recently became involved with Al Gore's worldwide eco organisation The Climate Project, acting as an advisory council member.

"The Climate Project has been one of the most inspirational campaigns I have had the pleasure to be involved with. I think we all need to know how we can help.

"It's not just up to governments, it's up to each of us."

Keller is keen to see fashion diversify. There's been lots of recent talk about the lack of ethnic models on magazine covers and in fashion campaigns, with Italian Vogue's recent "Black Issue" aiming to address the widely acknowledged problem within the industry.

And while it was hailed as a turning point for diversity in fashion, Naomi Campbell told Pop magazine that it was great - for a moment.

"It didn't work. You still don't see black models, ethnic models, and models from different cultures in advertising very much."

This lack of variety is something that Keller acknowledges, although she's much more positive than Campbell.

"Diversity is what it is all about. I look through mainstream American magazines and see so many girls looking exactly the same - it's nice to see someone looking a little different.

"At the moment Tao Okamoto from Japan is doing really well, and she is fabulous. I love her mushroom haircut and the way that it totally took everyone by surprise last season. Now she has a Ralph Lauren campaign.

"That Asians can look different, and still be the height of chic, is something I love - I think that's very fashion. Asians are fierce!"