Ridzman Zidaine didn’t just stumble into the world of high fashion — he was seen. From a quiet, long-haired boy sitting on the studio floor to striding on the runways of Louis Vuitton and Hermès, this model’s story is one of talent meeting the right opportunity. At the heart of it all is Ridduan TTFGA, the sharp-eyed creative director of Topboi Citizen, who first spotted Ridzman and helped him unlock his potential. Together, they rewrite what it means to represent Malaysia on a global stage.
The first thing you notice when stepping into Ridduan TTFGA’s home is the juxtaposition. The retro-style condo in the heart of town — an extension of Ridduan’s distinct aesthetic — is deeply cool, almost cinematic in its intentionality. Blow-ups of his photography work frame the wall, accompanied by a Loewe candle wafting a warm scent into the air. Yet, on the television, a superhero movie plays, grounding the space with a playful, lived-in energy. It’s a bachelor pad, for sure — a rotating crew of “the boys” make appearances — but there’s an open sense of welcome that mirrors its host’s demeanor.
Ridduan, who permeated the local fashion scene with his iconic moniker, Tukang Tangkap Foto Gembira Anda (TTFGA), moves with ease, preparing coffee as he breezes through instructions for hair and make-up. A candle vessel from his Tact brand becomes my impromptu cup — because, of course, even coffee is a chance to display his perspective.
In the midst of this, there’s Ridzman Zidaine. Towering at 6’2”, even seated on the low-slung couch with his legs outstretched, he commands the room. Period. He’s reserved, speaking sparingly as Ridduan buzzes about. There’s an undeniable quiet to him, but not the awkward kind — it’s the kind that feels loaded, like he’s holding back an entire world that comes alive at the right moment.
Right in front of the camera.
When it’s time for the shoot, it’s like watching a superstar step into their alter ego. Ridzman moves differently, his shyness melting into an undeniable presence. Every tilt of the head and shift of his body transforms him, revealing the model magic that explains exactly why Pharrell Williams selected him to open the Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 show in Hong Kong, and then later at the Fall Winter 2024/2025 Menswear show at Paris Fashion Week — cementing Ridzman as the face of global representation.
The Mentor
Ridduan is the first to offer himself up for conversation. “Let Ridzman settle in with hair and makeup,” he says, ushering me toward the balcony. He makes decisions with such ease — like directing Ridzman’s look for the shoot — that it’s easy to see why he’s the town’s ultimate tastemaker.
Out on the balcony, the chaos of the living room fades, and Ridduan is immediately locked in, ready to talk about the thing that’s lit a fire in him: Topboi Citizen.
If you’ve followed Ridduan’s trajectory, his pivot into running a modeling agency he co-founded with business partner and OG Topboi model, Hadri Hashim, feels like a natural extension of his creative world. Known for his knack for turning everyday street shoots into editorial moments, his transition from photographer to content creator and creative director feels inevitable. The man is a walking vibe, after all. But when he talks about Topboi Citizen, Ridduan’s energy shifts. What began as a photography series — with castings hosted at parties or shared on social media — evolved into an agency redefining the conventions of male modeling. “It’s not about perfection. Modeling is emotional; it’s about energy. Sometimes they don’t even see it in themselves, but it’s there,” Ridduan explains.
That instinct for finding hidden potential is what led him to Ridzman Zidaine. Flashback to 2019, in Ridduan’s old studio during a casting call for Topboi Citizen. The room was packed with nearly 90 hopefuls, but one figure stood out. “He was sitting on the floor — long hair, skinny. I told the team, ‘This is the one.’”
This ethos of championing individuality is what sets Topboi Citizen apart. Ridduan isn’t just scouting models; he’s crafting narratives, bigger than better than the ones we’ve been fed. And in Ridzman, Topboi Citizen found the ideal protagonist — one that draws you in before he even looks in your direction.
The Makings of a Fashion’s Newest “It Boy”
Ridzman’s story is one of serendipity. Even his name carries a touch of destiny and prelude to the greatness that is his to claim — he’s named after French footballer Zinedine Zidane, a nod to his father’s love for the sport. This sense of kismet follows him down every path (or runway!). Ridzman entered the world of modeling not with dreams of grandeur but with a willingness to explore. “Fashion reflects culture, identity. It’s not just about looking good — it’s about saying something.”
This quality has propelled Ridzman onto some of the world’s most prestigious runways. From cult favourites Labrum London and Mowalola to global powerhouses like Hermès and Zegna, his portfolio reads like a roll call of fashion’s elite. But it was his quiet, unassuming opening of Pharrell Williams’ debut Louis Vuitton show that truly cemented his place on the global stage. “None of us knew he was opening. When we watched it online, it was like, boom — there he was!” says Ridduan.
At just 24, Ridzman carries a calm and maturity that feels beyond his tender years. Even as his profile grows, there’s a humility in how he handles all of his success—never one to make announcements prematurely. It’s about timing, and impact. It’s fitting, really. For Ridzman, the work he puts in speaks louder than he ever will.
“I take my time — I’m quiet, but not in a bad way,” he says, measured and definitely unhurried — in a manner some might mistake for indifference. I see it as intentional, a reflection of someone deeply assured of where he stands.
He reminds us, “Walking [the runway] is easy. It’s instinctual.” The runway, the cameras — that’s the performance you’re getting from Ridzman. But off-stage, he returns to himself, grounded and unbothered.
Modeling, after all, is an exercise in duality. “Someone once told me to imagine that walking the runway,” he adds, grinning, “is like walking the dog in the park!”
But the journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Ridzman opens up about the initial hesitation from his family when he first ventured into modeling. “They weren’t sure what to make of it,” he says, reflecting on the uncertainty of chasing such an unconventional path.
The turning point came when he walked for Hermès, an achievement that cemented his place in the fashion world. “That moment wasn’t just for me,” he says. “It was for my family too.”
The Weight of Representation
Ridzman’s success is more than personal — it carries cultural weight. Long before we understood the term ‘global citizen’, Southeast Asian men were already carving their paths through trade and travel. If they’ve been moving through the world for centuries, then Ridzman’s rise echoes that legacy — only on the world’s most glamorous stage. Opening a Fashion Week show, especially one as anticipated as Pharrell’s debut for Louis Vuitton, is more than significant.
“To be a model on global stages — there’s a lot of responsibility there,” Ridzman reflects. “But it’s important. I want people to see that we belong here, too.”
After all, as he continues, “Fashion is power.” And what’s more powerful than a Malay man — a Nusantara face — taking his well-deserved place in the spotlight?
Despite the whirlwind pace of his career, Ridzman treasures the moments when he can reconnect with himself. “Starting the day with coffee, any kind. And just sit,” he says. “It’s comforting to have pockets of myself throughout the day.” It’s a grounding ritual of sorts, vital in an industry defined by precision and even perfection. “I remind myself with personal quotes, to stay the same. At the end of the day, it’s about being true to who you are.”
It’s this quiet introspection that makes Ridzman so alluring. In a space saturated with personalities and egos, Ridzman’s grounded nature stands out. He’s not trying to mold himself to fit anyone’s expectations. Instead, he lets his authenticity guide him — a quality that makes him a natural collaborator.
When asked about his earliest collaboration with Ridduan, Ridzman’s face lights up. “It was so raw back then,” he recalls. “We’d shoot wherever we could— no studios, no fancy setups. Just two people figuring it out.”
Over the years, their dynamic has evolved, but the essence remains the same. “Ridduan is a visionary. It’s about trust,” Ridzman says simply. “He knows how to bring out the best in me.”
As our conversation winds down, both men reflect on what’s next. For Ridduan, it’s about growing the Topboi family. “It’s not about me, it’s helping the boys succeed.”
For Ridzman, the journey is just beginning. “I’m still figuring it out,” he admits. But if there’s one thing he knows? “It’s not about being the best of the most famous. It’s about being true to yourself.”
As I step out of the retro condo and they head to the second half of their shoot, it’s clear — this isn’t just a story about a model and the mentor who discovered him. It’s a call to forge ahead, stake your claim, and create space for your vision. To make your own seat at the table — and know you belong, the moment you decide you do. The proof is in Ridzman Zidane, walking the talk.