Though it’s been a month since New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012, with Los Angeles Fashion Week here we thought we’d share some shots of our beloved Asian models spotted on the runway of NYFW as well as off.
On the runway:
You may have heard of famous street photographer/bloggers Scott Schuman (The Sartorialist), Asian American Tommy Ton of Jak & Jil, but here’s a name to keep an eye out for in 2011: Bonae L’amour. The Vietnamese American photographer, originally from New Orleans and now based in New York City, says he photographs “souls and spirits, not simply people.” He is an advocate for diversity in fashion and the media.
Here, some of Bonae’s shots of Asian models off duty.
One of the season’s more popular models, Ming Xi — she of the famous ears — made her debut at New York Fashion Week spring 2011, after a successful run in Europe. “She was enthusiastic,” says Bonae. He shot her here after Jason Wu’s spring 2011 show.

Ming Xi, after Jason Wu SS 2011, shows off a look that's gonna be hot for spring -- pale hues, long strap bags, and touches of black trim.
One of the few Asian Americans on the catwalk, Bonnie Chen walked for Vivenne Tam as well as Erin Fetherston, Marchesa and Thuy. The Chinese American (she splits her time between New York, Hong Kong and Beijing) graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in psychology. The former rhythmic gymnastic national champion kicked off her modeling career as a finalist in the Elite Model Look competition when she was 16.

Model Bonnie Chen, here before the Vivienne Tam spring 2011 show, captures the eclectic, high-low model chic look with a structured striped blazer, louche cut-offs and a preppy handbag.
“Liu Wen said she was very honored and thanked me when I congratulated her on Estee Lauder,” says Bonae. Both Liu and fellow Marilyn NY Agency model Constance Jablonski landed contracts with Estee Lauder last year. The good friends worked together previously on a ck Calvin Klein SS 2010 campaign. Here, they pose before Fashion’s Night Out: The Show.

Constance Jablonski and Liu Wen offer two ways to wear the must-have denim hue -- on top or slouchy on bottom. Cognac and tan accessories are a must.
Chinese model Ping Hue Cheung made her debut last year and walked Matthew Williamson, Ports 1961 and Halston, among others, for spring. She most recently appeared in a fashion editorial for Teen Vogue.
Korean model Hyoni Kang is still going strong since winning the Ford Supermodel of the World contest in 2008. She most recently appeared in a Marie Claire editorial. Here, she shows us how to do military modern.
“It was the Korean newcomer’s first NY fashion week,” says Bonae of Korean model So Young Kang. “She was very excited!” Kang made her debut at the Chanel fall couture show in Paris last year.
First runner-up in the Ford Supermodel of the World contest in 2010, Filipina model Charlene Almarvez shows off her fun-loving personality during Spring 2011 Fashion Week, where she walked for Nanette Lepore and Diane von Furstenberg.
Selina Khan is from French Guyana and is of Indian, Vietnamese, Arabic and Creole descent. She’s walked and modeled for Ralph Lauren and Gap.
Hot Asian model of the moment Liu Wen, looking quite pleased after Vera Wang’s SS 2011 show, her 20th anniversary show.
Japanese model Tao Okamoto and Ming Xi after the Academy of Art University SS 2011 show.
And last but definitely not least, the stunning Shu Pei Qin in a getup that has everyone gawking.
The world of fashion solely revolves around ever-shifting trends and fresh faces, like that of the just-announced Ford Models Supermodel of the World 2011, Filipina model Danica Magpantay.
It was last November when the University of the Philippines Diliman fine arts student strut her way to hail as Ford Models Supermodel of the World Philippines 2010.

Lala Flores (left) is not only a supermodel mom to Magpantay, but a makeup artist to many of the Philippines' models and celebrities like Angel Locsin (right).
Magpantay is a rookie when walking the line, but her catwalk lineage runs strong as she is the descendant of former 1990 Supermodel of the World-Philippine delegate and Asia’s Most Glamorous Model in 1994 Lala Flores.

Charlene "Chat" Almarvez was featured in editorials in publications such as Vogue China, V Magazine, and the New York Times in 2010.
In 2010, another Filipina model, Charlene Almarvez, was the first runner-up behind Latvia’s Katrina Karlina Caune at the 2010 Ford Models Supermodel of the World in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
It was a big year for models of Asian descent. Here are some of our favorites.
Charlene Almarvez
Charlene Almarvez is one of the youngest successful Asian models of the year. This 16-year-old Filipino model was the 1st runner-up in Ford Supermodel of the World. This year, she had editorials for Vogue China, V Magazine and NY Times T Magazine. Her runway appearances include Diane Von Furstenberg, Ports 1961 (Resort 2011 Collection) and Lacoste.

Charlene Almarvez walks the runway for Diana Von Furstenberg, Spring/Summer 2011, left, and Ports 1961, Resort 2011, right.
Hyoni Kang
In 2008, Hyoni Kang was the first Asian to win Ford Supermodel of the World. She has been around for a while now, but she continues to shine throughout the year of 2010, modeling for Tory Burch, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Betsey Johnson and DKNY. She can be found in editorials for renowned magazines, like Elle and Marie Claire. She also worked on ad campaigns for DKNY, Hilfiger Denim, American Eagle and Urban Outfitters Beauty.

Hyoni Kang in an editorial for Cosmopolitan Korea, October 2010

Ad Campaign for American Eagle Outfitters, Spring/Summer 2010
Liu Wen
If I had to pick the most successful Asian model this year, it would have to be Liu Wen. She is ranked top 10 model in models.com. We know she signed a contract with Estée Lauder, but she was also in ads for Vivienne Tam, Calvin Klein and Alexander Wang. She has been featured in magazines and catalogs worldwide: the cover of Elle Singapore and China, Vogue China, Harper’s Bazaar Korea and WWD Beauty Biz; editorials in V Magazine, Vogue Germany, i-D UK, Elle China, Vogue China; and commercial work for the J. Crew catalog. She has walked for some of the fashion industry’s biggest names like Anna Sui, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Alexander Wang, Christian Dior and Derek Lam.

Liu Wen in an editorial for Vogue China, January 2010

Ad Campaign for ck Calvin Klein, Spring/Summer 2010
Ming Xi
Ming Xi is a Chinese model whose career launched since being the 1st runner-up in the 2009 Elite Look Competition. She is listed as one of Style.com’s favorite new faces of the season. In Spring/Summer 2011 New York Fashion Week, she walked for designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg and Alexander Wang. She also appeared in Givenchy’s Haute Couture show. She has many editorials on Vogue China, and is featured in an ad for Givenchy.

Ming Xi in an ad campaign for Givenchy, Fall 2010/Winter 2011

Left: Editorial for Numéro China #3, November 2010. Right: Editorial for Vogue China, December 2010.
Shu Pei Qin
Shu Pei is a 19-year-old Chinese model whose biggest success this year was signing a cosmetics contract with Maybelline. Additionally, she can be seen numerous times on the runways for shows such as Oscar de la Renta, Alexander Wang, Tory Burch, Christian Siriano and Carolina Herrera. Additionally, she had an editorial with US Glamour.

Shu Pei Qin on the cover of Vogue China (Supplement), August 2010

Both: Editorial for Vogue China. Left: May 2010. Right: February 2010.
Sun Fei Fei
This Chinese model is also one of the Style.com’s favorite new faces of the season, alongside Ming Xi. Sun Fei Fei started modeling locally in Asia until she won third place in Elite Model’s Look World competition. She was one of the Asian models to walk in the most shows during Fall 2010/Winter 2011 New York fashion week, an estimated number of 23. These include Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Max Azria, Jill Stuart and Alexander Wang, to name a few. She is featured in ad campaigns for H&M and Shanghai Tang.

Sun Fei Fei in an editorial for Vogue Korea, July 2010

Editorial for Grazia China, January 2010
Tao Okamoto
Tao Okamoto is a Japanese model who may be best known for her black bowl-cut hair. She started modeling in 2006 and her career is at its peak. In the December 2009/January 2010 issue of Teen Vogue, she was listed as the Girl of the Moment. In this year alone, she has been in ad campaigns for Uniqlo, Gap, Kenneth Cole and Zac Posen. She also appeared on the cover of Vogue China and in the Nordstrom catalog. During New York Fashion Week, she was seen in more than 15 shows for Spring/Summer 2011 and more than 20 for Fall/Winter 2010, walking the runways for Isaac Mizrahi, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Z Spoke by Zac Posen and Tommy Hilfiger.

Tao Okamoto in an editorial for V Magazine #53, Spring 2010

Ad Campaign for Zac Posen, Spring/Summer 2010
I am in love with the moody, brooding, textured nails created by Sally Hansen for Tracy Reese’s fall 2010 show. It so epitomizes the look for fall 2010. Check it out:
A new Asian face appeared all over New York Fashion Week, and we had to find out who she was.
Introducing Charlene Almarvez.
At almost 5-foot-10-inches, Charlene Louise Alagon Almarvez hails from Sao Paulo, Philippines. After winning Ford Supermodel of the World Philippines in 2009, the 16-year-old went on to win first runner-up of the Ford Supermodel of the World 2010.
These past couple weeks, Charlene’s been keeping busy walking the runways of Peter Som, Diane von Furstenberg, Rad Hourani, Lacoste, Nanette Lepore, Rachel Comey, Sophie Theallet, Suno, Tracy Reese, Wayne, Cynthia Steffe, and the Academy of Art University.
We think she’s simply stunning and hope to see more of her.
For now, here are a few more shots of this up-and-comer.
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