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As fashion labels see increasing opportunities for sales growth in Asian countries, they’re filling up runways with Asian, and especially Chinese models. Fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris this month show a striking rise in the number of Chinese models on the runways. Now let’s drop by the catwalks and take a look at the fresh faces in a sea of mostly fair-haired, blue-eyed models.
Five seasons ago, you would be hard pressed to find one show or even one season that used a Chinese girl in Milan or New York. But things are changing dramatically and quickly - Now you just wouldn’t have a show without one.
Chinese models have now become a strong presence. And among those who walk the most shows is Liu Wen, who is now ranked number 5 on the Top 50 Women Models listed by Models.com.
The 24-year-old walked 22 shows for major brands including Michael Kors and Jason Wu at the New York Fashion Week held earlier this month. And she walked 10 shows at the just-concluded Milan Fashion Week.
Never dreaming of becoming a model, Liu Wen entered a modelling contest in 2006 in order to win a computer to help her with her school work.
Now, six years later the 5-foot-10-inch beauty has strutted her way into history on catwalks around the world. In 2009, she became the first-ever East Asian model to walk in Victoria’s Secret 2009 show and she continues to be a fixture in the iconic lingerie store’s shows. The following year Liu achieved another highlight by becoming the first Asian spokesmodel for cosmetic company Estee Lauder. And this year. The Chinese stunner became the first Asian model to break into Models.com’s top five.
Liu Wen, model, said,"I’m very happy and want to do a good job because modeling makes me happy, not only career-wise, but also in my life. I enjoy it. I hope I can do a good job and bring the beauty of the East to the West."
Besides Liu Wen, other fashion week veterans like Shu Pei, Feifei Sun, Emma Pei, Ming Xi, Xiaowen Ju and Sui He also strolled the catwalks of New York, London, Milan and Paris. And there are also rising stars Tian Yi and Lina Zhang.
Fashion and beauty brands, too, have been increasingly hiring Chinese models to be brand ambassadors. Model Xiaowen Ju stars in Dior’s fall 2012 ad campaign. Maybelline has hired another Chinese model, Shu Pei.
China’s luxury market is certainly a major drive behind increased bookings of Chinese models.
As growth in the United States and Europe has stalled, fashion brands are now keen on expanding in other consumer markets. Chinese consumers alone now account for more than 20 percent of global luxury sales.
And as China’s luxury market is expanding, international runways will surely see the number of Chinese models get bigger and bigger.
Liu Wen
Liu Wen
Ju Xiaowen
Ju Xiaowen
He Sui
He Sui
中国公众网摘编：GAN JADE |
