May Myat Noe aka That Htet Aung (Burmese: မေမြတ်နိုး / သက်ထက်အောင်; on 13 October 1998) is a Burmese actress, fashion model and beauty pageant title holder. She is best known for winning Miss Asia Pacific World in 2014, as well as being a finalist in the fourth season of Asia's Next Top Model in 2016. She was featured as the cover girl for the Hello Magazine Wedding first edition.
Image from May's Instagram
On style, strength, and carrying what matters.
When May Myat Noe steps into a London café on a misty afternoon, there’s an unmistakable calm about her — the kind of grounded poise that speaks louder than glamour. Dressed in a crisp white shirt, denim, and her glittery baby blue Rabeanco hobo slung effortlessly over one shoulder, she radiates quiet, grounded energy.
The Burmese model, artist, and activist has built a life that transcends borders. Born in Yangon, raised between Myanmar and Singapore, and now based in London, May has walked global runways, graced magazine covers, and spoken out for those who cannot. When Myanmar was plunged into political turmoil, she became one of the few Burmese public figures to raise her voice — using her platform to advocate for justice, human rights, and creative freedom.
“There were days I didn’t know what my voice could change,” she recalls. “But silence never felt like an option.”
May’s journey is not just about beauty or fame; it’s about conviction. Whether she’s attending a creative workshop in East London, exploring galleries in Shoreditch, or spending evenings sketching and journaling in her flat, her days are shaped by reflection and purpose.
“London keeps me inspired,” she says. “It’s fast, expressive, and always moving. It reminds me to evolve — but stay true to myself.”
Q1. You’ve become an inspiration for many — what does strength mean to you today?
May: To me, strength is showing up even on the bad days. It’s being honest with myself, unafraid to speak my truth, and learning from my mistakes. True strength is when you can be sobbing and still choose to keep going.
Image from May's Instagram
Q2. You’ve worked in both fashion and activism — two worlds that seem very different. How do they connect for you?
May: Fashion gave me a voice before I learned how to use words, and activism gave that voice direction. Both worlds might look different on the surface, but they’re rooted in self-expression and purpose. Fashion teaches me creativity, confidence, and how to communicate withoutsaying a word. Activism reminds me why communication matters — that visibility can inspire, challenge, and empower. For me, they’re not opposites; they’re two parts of the same conversation about identity, freedom, and truth.
Image from May's Instagram
Q3. How does your personal style reflect who you are now?
May: My style is simple, bold, and rooted in Burmese culture. I don’t chase trends; I choose what feels true. I want my clothes to reflect how I feel — grounded, evolving, and unapologetically myself.
In London, that translates into effortless structure — soft tailoring, clean lines, and meaningful details.
“I’ve always admired how Rabeanco creates for women who live fully,” she says. “Their bags have a quiet strength to them — refined, functional, and made to move. My Rabeanco hobo in glittery baby blue carries my independence. Whether I’m heading to a casting, a meeting, or a walk by the Thames, it fits my life perfectly — polished but free.”
Image from May's Instagram
Q4. You’ve lived and worked across different countries. What do you always carry with you?
May: Lip balm, good energy, and a sense of humour are my essentials. I also love my Rabeanco hobo in glittery blue— the texture, the tone, the understated shine. It’s roomy enough for everything I need, but still sleek.
“But what I truly carry is a sense of home — my people, my values, and my memories. Growing up between Singapore and Myanmar and working around the world has taught me flexibility, humility, and openness. No matter where I go, those lessons remind me who I am and where I come from.”
That philosophy follows her through her London days — long walks along the river, afternoons spent reading in cafés, evenings sketching in her journal.
“The things I carry are simple,” she says. “But they remind me that I’m still connected — to my roots, my purpose, and the people I love.”
Q5. What message would you give to young women in Asia who are finding their voice?
May: Don’t wait for permission to be yourself. Speak even when you feel small. Be bold, have fun, and make mistakes — that’s how you grow. Confidence isn’t something you wake up with; it’s something you build one outfit, one choice, and one brave moment at a time. Always use your voice to lift yourself and others.
Closing Thoughts
From the runways of Asia to her creative life in London, May Myat Noe embodies the balance between strength and softness, ambition and authenticity. Her story is one of courage — not the kind that shouts, but the kind that persists quietly and gracefully.
“At the end of the day,” she says, “what we carry matters — not just in our hands, but in our hearts.”
For May, that means carrying courage, conviction, and the freedom to move — always with her Rabeanco bag by her side.
Image from May's Instagram
Discover more stories like hers in Rabeanco’s Women of Strength series — celebrating women who embody grace, resilience, and self-expression through every journey.
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