After 8TV Quickie became a hit, Caunter also gained national recognition for hosting beloved singing reality competition television series with Awal Ashaari, One in a Million, and later, E! News Asia.

Thrust into the spotlight, she recalls feeling the pressure about her appearance—which was only ramped up when she married Naza Group scion, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin in 2010. However, she observes that those days were nothing like the scrutiny of the social media age.

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“Back then, Instagram was not even a thing. People weren’t sharing every detail of their day on stories. In hindsight, I was very lucky to be able to enjoy the peak of my hosting career without the social media element.”

Fast forward to today, the 41-year old has amassed 540,000 followers on Instagram,with a fast-growing presence on TikTok. She admits that there are some days when she ‘gives in’ to concerns about how the public will perceive her. “I’m definitely still trying to find that balance,” she laughs. “Sometimes, I’m like ‘screw it!’ and post whatever I want!”

Caunter was featured for the first time on the cover of Tatler’s October 2012 issue, wearing stunning jewellery by Cartier (which she admits being tempted to bring home!)

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“I remember this shoot!” she exclaims. “I was a relatively new mum and it was a full-day shoot. I remember worrying and thinking to myself, ‘I need to get back to my daughter. I can’t leave her for too long'. But the editor-in-chief at the time paid a visit to set and encouraged me to let loose and have fun.

“There was also a male model on set to fit the Phantom of the Opera concept,” she recalls with laughter. “It was so funny posing with him because I hadn’t really done that since I got married!”

See also: Marion Caunter and Mum Tiong Min Chor Exchange Beauty Tips

Since then, Caunter has appeared on several Tatler covers. Most recently, she was featured on the front pages of our March 2020 issue alongside Malaysian rapper Joe Flizzow and entertainer Nur Fazura. 

In this special edition, she was named as one of the 117 change makers working to make the world a better place. 

Throwback: Marion Caunter & Bulgari's Cinemagia High Jewellery Collection

Caunter was one of the first few trailblazers in the 2010s who broke free from the oversized, free-flowing maternity wear of the times when she was carrying her first daughter, Leia Rose.

“With every single one of my pregnancies, I fully embraced my growing, humongous belly! As soon as I was showing properly (and don’t look like I’ve just had a really big lunch), I loved rocking a bodycon dress that stretches across my belly.”

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Leaning into family life, Caunter delights in coordinating matching family outfits with her husband and three children, Leia, Lana, and Liam. “It’s super practical and easy because there are so many brands that market to moms like me who love this kind of stuff,” she says.

“But I know it’s not going to last!” she laments. “My eldest has already started picking her own clothes. It’s a little sad but I get it! My parenting style is all about letting my kids express themselves and be who they want to be."

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A big collector of white shirts, Caunter has recently developed her own form of ‘revenge dressing’, which involves a lot of neon hues. She even wore a bright orange jumpsuit by Alex Perry in the line-up of Asia’s Most Stylish honouree this year.

“I still love all things white but after so many months of living in my gym clothes, I was ready to wear loud and proud colours that made me feel happy!”

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One of the most consistent pillars of Caunter’s style is her hair, which she wears in a range of ways, from voluminous waves to sleek ponytails. “I was obsessed with my hair growing up. If you ask my mom, she would tell you that I would run into my room and cry every time we had to cut our hair,” she shares.

She founded a salon, Hairplay with Shaun Yap in 2013 and it was her first stop when Malaysia eased lockdown restrictions a few weeks ago.

In the last 20 years, the world has taken note of Caunter's style evolution from girl-next-door to style icon. Her inquisitive nature has given her a breadth of knowledge about fashion. Notably, Anna Wintour invited her to be a member of Vogue100, a curated list of “distinctive creative voices from around the globe, encompassing actors, artists, musicians, athletes, stylists, activists, chefs, choreographers, videographers, beauty fanatics, glamour girls, and wonderful weirdos of every stripe.”

As for her current style inspiration: "I really admire Zendaya right now," she says. "She works with stylist Law Roach to really make magic. I'm slightly older now and it is so great to see young girls who are influencing the younger generation in a positive way. She reminds me of Jennifer Lopez, who was proud and confident to show her strong, healthy body during a time when they were promoting different body standards."

See also: Exclusive: Marion Caunter Takes On Paris Fashion Week 2017

Sharing her favourite fashion brand at the moment, she says, "I’m obsessed with Schiaparelli. It's really pushing the boundaries in the world of fashion. Every single one of its pieces is a work of art. It would be heaven to wear any of their looks!"

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