One has come to expect a frenetic pace of activity at the studio, as hair and make-up artists expertly work their magic, assistants frantically lay out and steam garments, and the photography team rush around to set up props and lighting. Instead, there is a surprising calm and quiet on the set of GRAZIA’s August 2024 cover shoot. Siblings Aniq Aqil and Batrisyia Razak seemed to have lent their preternatural calmness to the whole team, setting the tone for one of the smoothest productions I have ever witnessed. With only music quietly pulsing in the background, they pose effortlessly together as everyone circles around, playing their part perfectly, almost wordlessly, behind the lens. 

When they step off-set for our interview, they do not hesitate to get comfortable. Aniq and Batrisyia fold their tall frames onto a sofa, the latter tucking her legs under her long skirt. “We were born in the same year, but we’re not twins. I found out earlier this year that there’s a term for it; we’re called ‘Irish Twins’,” says Aniq. The two recount how they have shared everything their whole lives, from toys and video games to the same circle of friends. Now, in their mid-twenties, the brother-sister duo are sharing the spotlight as two rising models in Malaysia. 

Batrisyia broke onto the scene first, after being scouted to walk for an Eid fashion show in 2017. “It was my first ever runway experience and I was so bad. I rewatched the video recently and it was clear I had no experience. I was so awkward and my eyes were darting all over the place,” she laughs. From there, she began modelling part-time while pursuing a degree in journalism at a local university, slowly making a name for herself in the industry and eventually signing with The Models Lab KL. 

It took Aniq a few more years to consider modelling more seriously. He was roped into a few unpaid test shoots with his sister every once in a while, but he was preoccupied with law school. “I didn’t really have the time for anything else until I graduated. Right at that moment, the Covid-19 pandemic hit and everything went quiet. Coincidentally, I heard my sister’s agency was casting, so I decided to send in photos,” he says. In 2022, Aniq walked his first runway show for Joe Chia at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and has since been the face of nationwide campaigns and magazine covers. 

Friends and family are enthused by the duo’s newfound success as models. “Modelling was something we always wanted to do and everyone encouraged us to because we’re so tall,” says Batrisyia. Their mother, in particular, is one of their biggest cheerleaders, despite initial apprehension. She adds: “My mother thought I was being scammed at first! She would come to every shoot and watch quietly, but after about three or four gigs, she felt more comfortable and stopped coming. Maybe she got a bit bored of it, too! She was scouted to be a model back in the day but her parents didn’t allow her to pursue it. I think she’s very supportive of us because it was a dream for her, something she’s always wanted to try out herself.”

A Candid Moment

From the way they tell the story and carry themselves with casual confidence, it is easy to believe that Batrisyia and Aniq barely broke a sweat climbing the ranks of this cutthroat industry. But the reality was far from it. The two models faced their fair share of challenges; more so for Batrisyia than her brother. 

“It was different for me, I think, because I started a bit earlier,” she says. “Back then, there were not many agencies for local models. We were all freelancers representing ourselves, so there was a lot of competition among us. When I started walking smaller runway shows, I was the new girl. It felt like high school all over again because the more experienced models wouldn’t talk to me.” 

The industry has changed a lot. I’m glad that everyone is much nicer now.

Batrisyia Razak

In contrast, Aniq’s experience as a newcomer was different, as he was met with “authenticity and generosity” from his peers. He admits: “Batrisyia definitely helped to have a much better time of it. I was lucky to have her explain how things work, what to do, and who to avoid—I feel like I can be too naive sometimes, and she sees through the smoke and mirrors of the industry more clearly than I can.” 

On the subject of change, the conversation inevitably turns to diversity and inclusion in Malaysia’s fashion and beauty scene. The pair are candid and thoughtful in their response, reflecting on their own experiences as tan-skinned models. “For a while, no one in the industry looked like me except for Vanizha (Vasanthanathan). But at least I had her to pave the way. She was on the cover of GRAZIA in February 2024!

“For Aniq, I remember our manager voicing concerns that there was no demand for male models with his face in Malaysia,” shares Batrisyia. 

In that sense, their heightened visibility is a sign of how far the industry has come in the last few years. At the same time, they know that there is room for improvement. “I’m always honoured to be hired to model for a brand but when I’m always the only tan-skinned model in a group of ten or twenty, it’s clear that I am a token hire. If you really think about it, that’s why there’s still only a handful of us. And I know for a fact that there’s so much untapped potential out there,” she continues. 

Aniq chimes in: “We haven’t even scratched the surface with plus-sized models, hijabi models, or models with disabilities. But are we ready for that deeper conversation on inclusivity when we’re still seeing local companies choose foreign, mostly white, models over local talent for their products, even for Raya campaigns?”

Double Act 

In the modern age, the modelling profession has evolved to encompass far more than good looks and a killer walk. There is no denying the value of showing one’s personality and cultivating an online presence. It does help during castings, reveals Aniq. However, the duo’s foray into content creation on Instagram and TikTok was far from a calculated career move. “We came up with funny ideas together and recorded videos in our room. Sometimes, we collaborate! It’s a different side of us that people like. Our comedy comes from a very natural place; that’s the only way to go because the audience knows when you’re trying too hard or faking it,” says Batrisya. 

Batrisya, known for her vlog-style content, boasts almost half a million followers on TikTok, while her brother follows closely behind with 250,000 followers. “The creative process behind our social media content has almost become seamless for us, from conception to filming. We even share a camera, so we take turns filming and give each other feedback,” says Aniq. 

“It’s like having an automatic assistant who doubles as a human tripod,” interjects Batrisyia playfully.

Better Together

It’s evident that Aniq and Batrisyia draw strength from their close bond to boldly pursue their varied interests. “We always talk about how lucky we are to have each other, especially since we’re doing the exact same thing. Individually, we’re powerful but together, we’re an even greater force. He just understands me and we never fight, even when we disagree,” says Batrisyia. 

“Maybe because we got it all out of the way when we were younger and stuck in the same classes all through school, I can’t tell you the last time we fought. We’re really close and enjoy spending time together. I feel like my sister is just an extra friend that I now sometimes work with,” muses her brother. In fact, Batrisyia’s year abroad pursuing a master’s degree in filmmaking at UCL in 2023 was the only and longest time the siblings lived apart in their 27 years. 

The two share that they have spoken about ambitions outside of modelling and content creation. For Batrisyia, she follows in the footsteps of her father, veteran Malaysian filmmaker Prof. Associate Dato’ Dr. A. Razak Mohaideen, and is in the midst of launching her own film company, 8bit Studio. She intends to create documentaries to “amplify the voices of Malaysians”. “If there’s one thing I learned at film school, it’s that I want to tell stories from my own home and connect with our rich culture and environment,” she says. 

Meanwhile, Aniq has taken a hiatus from his legal career after completing his pupillage at a boutique corporate and commercial law firm in Kuala Lumpur. “It’s not sustainable to pursue modelling and law at the same time,” he shares.

He adds with conviction: “We will have a choice to make further down the line but there’s no expiry date to all of our passions. Right now, we can afford to have new experiences and make memories together in this line of work.”

Aniq and Batrisyia share a look of complete understanding. The interview comes to a natural end as they get up off the sofa and shuffle back into their hair and make-up chairs. One is left assured, with absolute certainty that they know what they’re doing and where they’re going. As long as they have each other, the kids will be just fine. 

Photography: Nelson Chong
Creative Direction & Styling: Ian Loh
Hair: Cody Chua
Makeup: Sharman Yee
Producer: Oh Seo-Yul (SY Production)
Art Direction: Shane Rohaizad
Photography Assistant: Bernard Chong
Styling Assistants: Sarah Chong, Lorraine Chai