Digital Cover: Riona & Renee Lau are the rising twin stars of fashion
Meet Riona and Renee, Malaysia’s rising twin models making waves since their 2023 debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur. Discover how their unique personalities, contrasting styles, and creative ambitions are reshaping the modelling scene—one runway at a time.
The moment Riona and Renee stepped into the spotlight at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur 2023, the local industry took notice. Identical twins with an unmistakable presence, they arrived not as novelties, but as new muses—bringing with them an effortless blend of harmony and contrast.
And we are proud to cast these two rising stars in our latest digital cover shoot featuring the Chanel Spring/Summer 2025 collection — including the Chanel 25 bag collection.
Though they share a genetic blueprint, their personal styles — and personalities — sing in different keys. Riona, with her boyish ease and extroverted spark, balances Renee’s softer, more introspective grace. Their fashion tastes diverge (skirts for one, slouchy trousers for the other), yet on the runway, their synergy is undeniable.
Since their 2023 debut through the MMP 4.0 program, the twins have captured attention not just for their symmetry, but for their substance. Modelling may have brought them together in the public eye, but it’s their individual journeys — in design, in ambition, in adventure — that reveal their true artistry.
How did the two of you get started in the modelling industry?
RIONA & RENEE: We started in 2023 when we joined the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur casting and managed to join the MMP 4.0 program and debut as professional models..
Growing up as twins, have you always shared the same interests in fashion and modelling, or did one of you inspire the other?
RENEE: Everything started after we began our careers as models. While we have loved dressing up since we were young, we put more thought and effort into our wardrobe and purposely looked for ways to create matching looks after we started modelling professionally.
How do you balance showcasing your individuality while also embracing the fact that you’re a twin duo in the industry?
RIONA: While we both look identical, our personalities are quite different. During our jobs as models, people often note that we have completely different personalities and vibes. Since we were young, our mother often dressed us separately in blue and pink. I am the “blue” girl, who tends to be more boyish, while Renee is the more girlish “pink” one.
RENEE: And she is often the more extroverted one when we are working and tend to be more introverted outside of work. I’m the exact opposite of her.
Do you ever get competitive with each other when it comes to landing campaigns or projects?
RENEE: We don’t really compete because aside from our gigs together as twins, we often book our own jobs and sometimes, I wouldn’t even know she booked a job until I see the photos or campaigns published. I believe we complement each other and there is no need for any comparison.
How do you coordinate your styles—do you naturally gravitate towards similar aesthetics, or do you have totally different fashion preferences?
RENEE: As we mentioned earlier, Riona has a more boyish taste and you can hardly see her in short skirts and dresses.
RIONA: And, Renee always prefers a more feminine style with softer and more demure looks.
What’s one misconception people have about working as models?
RENEE: I think in general, because we have a certain look visually and we have the height, we have it easy as models and we don’t have to put in any effort.
RIONA: Yeah! There is so much work and things to learn before you can be considered a model. From practising our walks and poses to maintaining our bodies, everything is a result of hard work.
What was your most memorable experience working as a model?
RIONA: For our first-ever show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Kuala Lumpur for the brand A-JANE, we actually messed up our runway choreography and walked the opposite direction, but everyone who saw it thought it was intentional and it became such a big “wow” moment for the fashion show.
RENEE: I also really loved our campaign shoot for the brand Anatomy because that was our first official job together as twins, which gained a lot of traction and gave us more opportunities.
When you're not modelling, what are some things you love doing together that people might not expect?
RIONA: I love hiking so much and just last year, I went to Nepal to join the trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp. It was a 4-day trip and it was so much fun. One of my dreams is to be able to hike up to the Mount Everest Base Camp.
RENEE: For me, I love sports and workouts. I might not look like it but I really enjoy weight-lifting.
Where do you see yourselves in the next five years—do you want to keep working as a duo, or explore more solo opportunities?
RIONA: I appreciate the chance to work as twins but I do want to break out and do more. Maybe fashion week will be next on my list. Besides modelling, I want to continue pursuing my studies in interior architecture and one day, I want to open my own design firm.
RENEE: I am studying interactive design and my dream is to do stage design for big performances and festivals like the extravagant ones we often see in China.
What’s one dream collaboration or project that would be a “pinch-me” moment for both of you?
RIONA & RENEE: Right now, we would love to make it to the international fashion weeks in New York, Milan and Paris. Before that happens, we will be focusing on our jobs locally and continue our studies.
Creative Direction & Styling: Amelia Tan
Photography: Amani Azlin
Videographer: Aun Chua
Makeup: Cat Yong
Hair: Keith Ong
Outfits: Chanel
Photography Assistant: Saiful Azwan
Videography Assistant: Boon Leong
Model: Renee Lau & Riona Lau
