Early Life
Navia Nguyen is a Vietnamese-American model and entrepreneur with an extensive background in developing her businesses in the wellness and beauty industry. Known for her trailblazing career in fashion, she later shifted her focus to entrepreneurship, founding AMO World in Bali. Born in Phu Quoc, South Vietnam, in 1971, Navia and her family relocated to the United States in 1975, where she grew up in New York City.
Rise to Prominence
Navia began her modeling career at the age of 14 when photographer Stephan Lupino discovered her and featured her on the cover of Zoom magazine. She soon signed with Elite Model Management and went on to work with renowned fashion houses such as Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, Fendi, Christian Dior, GAP, and Tommy Hilfiger. Navia made history as the first Asian model to appear in the Pirelli Calendar in 1996. She was also featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1997 and was recognized by People magazine as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People”.
Despite the challenges of the industry at the time, Navia successfully carved a niche for herself, becoming one of the first Asian supermodels in an industry dominated by Caucasian beauty standards. Her ability to navigate the fashion world and rise to the top was a testament to her resilience and talent.
In addition to modeling, Navia has pursued an acting career, appearing in films such as The Quiet American, Hitch, and Memoirs of a Geisha. She has also had guest roles in TV shows such s Sex and the City. Navia has transitioned to behind-the-scenes work in film production, contributing to projects like Powder Blue as a producer.
Entrepreneurial Ventures
In 2008, Navia moved to Bali, where she combined her business acumen and passion for wellness to establish AMO World. As the parent company for a group of subsidiary businesses, AMO World includes AMO Spa, AMO Baths, AMO Cafe, AMO Skin & Clinic, and AMO Product. These businesses provide a comprehensive array of wellness, beauty, and lifestyle experiences in Bali.