The only son of Singapore’s first Minister of Law Edmund William Barker, Brandon Barker chose a life path worlds away from that of his father’s.
He started off as a model and then became a choreographer and show producer, immersed in art and fashion throughout his life.
Now, at the age of 69, Brandon has no plans to retire, but is working even more than in his younger years to achieve his dream of producing a senior-only fashion show.
When he is free, he stays with his family and travels in Europe. Brandon spends a lot of time in Spain, living a quiet, artistic life beside the beach with his dog.
Read on for more about how Brandon lives his life as a rule-breaker from his interview with Vintage Radio SG, a digital radio station available online and via mobile app.
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Brandon Barker: "It was very exciting to live in the Barker household"
Credit: Vintage Radio SG
Son of one of Singapore’s founding fathers – Edmund William Barker, Brandon remembers being not able to understand his dad’s work yet knowing that he was making a difference.
Though busy, Edmund Barker would always save time for the children. He liked to play music in the house and taught all four kids ukulele. Furthermore, as an avid sportsman, he planted his kids’ interest in sports.
Brandon was also heavily influenced by his mother, who was very creative and encouraged all of her kids to be like that. He learnt to sew and play mahjong from watching her.
Parties play an important part in Brandon’s childhood memories.
To him, it was his first glimpse of showbusiness – and he was hooked.
Brandon Barker: "I never really had an aim"
Before secondary school graduation, he was asked to do a shoot for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, an American media company. Carrie Models Agency incidentally saw that shoot and wanted to sign him up as a model.
Starting off working as a full-time model, Brandon soon began to find himself trying his hand at other roles. Within the first year of his modelling career, he was already choreographing fashion shows.
His first show was for Polaroid sunglasses. He was 20 at that time, and he still remembers everything about that show, from the music to the lighting.
Since then, “choreographer and show producer” has become his main label instead of “model”. Once, during a charity fashion show he produced, three female former models approached him and talked about their idea of a modelling agency for seniors only.
By then, Brandon had already been engaging with senior models and thus latched on to the suggestion – and that was how Platinum Angels Management came into being.
Brandon Barker: "I found them slipping back into the days when they were models"
Credit: Vintage Radio SG
Platinum Angels Management (PAM), co-founded by Brandon and Beatrice Andre-Besse, exclusively represents models aged between 50 and 80.
As compared to working with young models, it was a much smoother experience to work with seniors – “We are now old and we don’t compete with each other anymore,” Brandon smiles.
"Everybody helps everybody to get the best performances out of everyone."
Credit: Vintage Radio SG
Brandon Barker: "I always try to do new things and break rules"
Now, when most of his peers are about to retire or have already retired, Brandon finds himself working more and more every day.
To give his senior modelling agency the best chance, he went back to his old profession – show production – to find work for his models.
Every year, he spends around six months in Singapore and the remaining time travelling. He likes to go to Spain and live a quiet life beside the beach with his dog.
"I like the quietness of not talking and doing things all the time. I get to stop and think."
Sometimes, he would recall the old days, when fashion shows were everywhere.
“I want fashion to be much more present in our lives.”
This content was originally aired on Vintage Radio. To listen to the complete podcast, click here.
