When we talk about the fashion industry, most of us imagine the model as a blonde American/European girl with signs of childhood freckles on her face or maybe a black girl with plaits. In this article, we will discuss another type of model which has embossed our world.
Nowadays Asia, especially eastern Asia is the home of many young and aged models in the world. With fashion capitals like Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo gaining traction in the luxury market, Asia now is one the biggest hubs for campaigns and powerful catwalks. Here, we have a list of 30 models which have gained the most achievements and popularity;
- Yasmeen Ghauri (44.3K followers)
ID on Instagram: @yasmeen_ghauri
Nationality: Pakistani-Canadian
Age: 50
She was discovered when was working in a McDonald’s restaurant and she was only 17. After that, she has appeared on many runways in the ‘90s and she is retired now. She was the first Asian woman who becomes Victoria’s Secret angel.
- Fei Fei Sun (469K followers)
ID on instagram: @feifeisun
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 32
When she covered “Vogue Italia”, she become the first east Asian model who has appeared on the cover for an Italian publication. She started being a supermodel when Karl Lagerfeld selected her to walk Chanel’s Paris-Shanghai runway in 2009.
- Chiharu Okunugi (47.4K followers)
ID on Instagram: @chiharuokunugi
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 27
In 2011, she starred blue-chip campaigns including Dior, Chanel, and Stella McCartney. Nowadays she opens the Brandon Maxwell Spring/Summer 2021 collection. She was named one of Vogue Japan’s women of the year in 2013.
- Du Juan (2K followers)
ID on Instagram: @du_juan_fan_page_
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 38
As a model and actress, Du Juan is one of the top faces in the mud-2000s. She has worked with lots of companies like David Yurman, Louis Vuitton, and Van Cleef & Arpels. She is the first Chinese model who appeared on the cover of “the fashion bible”.
- Fernanda Ly (316K followers)
ID on Instagram: @warukatta
Nationality: Australian-Chinese
Age: 26
This Australian model of Chinese descent can be recognized easily by her pink hair. She has appeared in campaigns for many brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior.
- Tao Okamoto (177K followers)
ID on Instagram: @taookamoto
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 36
She started modeling when was only 14. In 2009, she landed on the cover of “Vogue Japan”. In 2013, she also made her first major acting in “The Wolverine” where she appeared alongside Hugh Jackman. She also acted in “Laplace’s witch”, “Perfect” and “Lost Transmissions”.
- Liu Wen (5.4 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @liuwenlw
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 33
Maybe she is the most famous Asian model. Liu Wen rose to fame after being named the first Asian spokesmodel for Estée Lauder. She also has been featured in Giorgio Armani and La Perla. She is the first Chinese model to walk Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
- Godfrey Gao (611K followers)
ID on Instagram: @godfreygao
Nationality: Taiwanese-Canadian
Age: 1984-2019
This Taiwanese model and actor is the first male Asian model to appear in a campaign for Louis Vuitton in 2011. He died of cardiac arrest when he was only 35.
- Pooja Mor (59.6K followers)
ID on Instagram: @poojamor
Nationality: Indian
Age: 29
Pooja Mor has walked for Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, JW Anderson, Altuzarra, and even more.
- Ming Xi (1.6 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @mingxi11
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 32
Her first scene was in 2009 when she attended a TV competition. She also has walked for Victoria’s Secret fashion show from 2013 to 2018.
- Sui He (1.5 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @hesui923
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 31
Sui He started her career by fronting campaigns such as Karl Lagerfeld, Roberto Cavalli, and Ralph Lauren. She also walked Victoria’s Secret Fashion show from 2011 to 2018. She was the first East Asian model to open a Ralph Lauren runway show.
- Shanina Shaik (2.4 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @shaninamshaik
Nationality: Australian
Age: 30
This Australian model of Jamaican ancestry has been making a mark during fashion month since the early 2010s.
- Soo Joo Park (605K followers)
ID on Instagram: @soojmooj
Nationality: South Korean
Age: 35
She is one of the most adorable Asian DJs and models in the world. In 2014, she became L’Oréal Paris’ first Asian-American spokesmodel. Here, she walks the Mugler Spring/Summer 2021 catwalk.
- Chrissy Teigen (35.2 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @chrissyteigen
Nationality: Australian
Age: 35
This Australian girl is very active on Twitter, and with her husband John Legend, she is also a marvelous model. She made her professional modeling debut in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2010.
- Zhao Lei (74.7K followers)
ID on Instagram: @zhaozhaolei
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 35
He is considered as one of the top male Asian models and singers, with an illustrious career for brands like Harper’s Bazaar and GQ.
- Kiko Mizuhara (6 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @i_am_kiko
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 30
As one of the op Japanese models raised in the US, she has worked with many brands including H&M, Tiffany, and Co., and more.
- Qin Shupei (279K followers)
ID on Instagram: @shupeicute
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 32
As a Chinese model and actress, she started her career while attending university in New York. She also walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show. More after, she was featured in the movie “Oh My God”.
- Xiao Wen Ju (797K followers)
ID on Instagram: @jujujuxiaowen
Nationality: Chinese
Age: 32
Xiao Wen Ju is the first Chinese model to be the face of Marc Jacobs. She has reached many achievements due to her activities with a wide range of brands from Lanvin and Prada to Louise Vuitton.
- Kelsey Merritt (1.5 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @kelseymerritt
Nationality: Filipino-American
Age: 24
She is the first Filipino who has walked in Victoria’s Secret Fashion show and also appeared in the pages of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
- Devon Aoki (776K followers)
ID on Instagram: @devonaoki
Nationality: American-Japanese
Age: 39
Her film roles including Sin city and DOA: dead or alive. She also has walked for Balenciaga, Comme des Garçons and Chanel. In 1998, when she was only 16, Devon Aoki replaced Naomi Campbell as the face of Versace.
- Kimora Lee Simons (2.1 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @kimoraleesimons
Nationality: American/Chinese
Age: 46
Before establishing her Y2K-favorite brand, Baby Phat, she has worked with so many people including Valentino Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Dior, and Anna Sui. She is also an entrepreneur and fashion designer.
- Margaret Zhang (1.4 million followers)
ID on Instagram: @margaret_zhang
Nationality: Chinese/Australian
Age: 28
She is one of the magnificent models, stylists, writers, and photographers. She is also studying law.
- Naomi Shimada (86K followers)
ID on Instagram: @naomishimada
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 34
As a model, she has tried many diets and weights to find her ideal body shape. In her opinion, she must look good at any age and size.
- Sayo Akasaka (52.8K followers)
ID on Instagram: @sayoakasaka
Nationality: Japanese
Age: 33
This Japanese girl has been featured in Ginza, Nylon, and Elle. She’s also a brilliant photographer and an actress.
- Jessie Setiono (46.6K followers)
ID on Instagram: @jessiesetiono
Nationality: Indonesian
Age: 32
She’s done shoots for Grazia Indonesia, Zalora Indonesia, and L’officiel.
- Trang Pham (5K followers)
ID on Instagram: @trangphampw
Nationality: Vietnamese
Age: 26
She is somehow a newbie in the modeling industry, but she has walked for prominent Vietnamese fashion designer Cong Tri.
- Dara Warganegara (17.5K followers)
ID on instagram: @darawarganegara
Nationality: Indonasian
Age: n/a
She’s done shoots for Elle Indonesia, Harper’s Bazaar Indonesia, and Grazia. She was also featured in the movie “7 angels”.
- Dinara Chetyrova (1K followers)
ID on Instagram: @dinarachetyrova
Nationality: Russian
Age: 28
Dinara has been featured in Elle Vietnam and she’s walked in both New York and Milan fashion weeks.
- Hoang Oanh (5K followers)
ID on Instagram: @miacaphe
Nationality: Vietnamese
Age: 31
Hoang has competed on Vietnam’s Next Top Model and has been featured in Elle Vietnam.
- Vivian Geeyang Kim (11.2K followers)
ID on Instagram: @plusmodel
Nationality: South Korean
Age: 36
Vivian is the editor in chief of the Korean magazine Plus Size Fashion Culture and has modeled for Forever 21 and Plush Boutique.
Conclusion
Asian models are not limited to this list and there are many other gifted girls which are not mentioned here. So the next time you are looking for a nice model, you can also take a look in Asian magazines to find one!!!