SARugbymag.co.za talks to Mala Bryan, SA Swimsuit’s resident St Lucian, on settling in South Africa and shooting for SA Swimsuit 2014.

What made you decide to settle in Cape Town?
I first came for work, but felt a great connection with the city. It’s become a place of comfort for me. My time is split between Cape Town and Miami. Modeling-wise, they’re quite similar. The money is better in Miami – it’s a little more upscale – but Cape Town is beautiful. I’ve been all over – Greece, Germany, France, Thailand, Israel – but Cape Town resonates with me. But St Lucia will always be my favourite, though; my feel-good spot. I go back once or twice a year.

What’s it like being in the Seychelles?
St Lucia and the Seychelles both have a British and French colonial history, so there are a lot of similarities there. Both islands speak Creole, though different variants. In a way, it feels like coming home.

And shooting for SA Swimsuit?
I was in Cape Town when I booked the job, just before I was due to head back to Miami. I did a speech to a few strangers in a public bathroom when I found out, I was that excited. I’d had my eye on it since it was part of Sports Illustrated, when Bar Refaeli shot for them. Every year my agency dissuaded me, in a way. But I never gave up on the thought of it. Now I’m here, and it’s been such an incredible experience. The crew’s praise and positivity has put me on a cloud; I’ve had to remind myself to stay grounded.

Photo: Rory Keohane/HSM Images