
Free People’s latest monthly catalog features Chinese model Fei Fei Sun modeling some of the brand’s latest bohemian looks. While it is spring, I’m digging the bold and rich colors that’s a huge contrast from the usual light and pastel colors often seen in ads and stores. Let us know what are some of your favorite looks!
We’re loving this editorial this month with Sun Fei Fei (shot by Steven Meisel) in Vogue Italia. Click on to see the rest!
Liu Wen
Liu Wen’s modeling career really skyrocketed last year when she signed with Estee Lauder and became the first East Asian model to ever walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, but her success doesn’t stop there. With the most booked shows for the recent New York Fashion Week, you know we had to include Liu Wen in our Best of 2011 models. Appearing in magazines everywhere from West East Magazine (Hong Kong), Vogue (US, Spain, Italia), Elle (China), The Room (Hungary) and Telegraph Magazine (UK), she truly is one of the top supermodels of the world. Continue Reading »
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
In a previous post, we showed you sneak peeks of model Liu Wen’s next major ad campaign for Estée Lauder. But she’s not the only Asian model who is gracing the pages of top fashion magazines and appearing in major ads lately. It’s exciting to see Asian faces representing huge international brands such as H&M and BCBGeneration, and in magazines like Elle and Vogue. Here is a roundup of some of the latest print work with Asian models, photos courtesy of Asian Models Blog. Let’s celebrate their successes!
Du Juan, Tao Okamoto, Hyun Yi Lee, Hyoni Kang, Liu Wen, Bonnie Chen, So Young Kang and Lily Zhi in editorial for Vogue US, December 2010

Vogue, December 2010.
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Stylist: Grace Coddington
A two-page spread of the top East Asian models today, in a re-imagined punk version of Cecil Beaton’s classic 1948 portrait.
Nanda Hampe for in an ad campaign Banana Republic, Holiday 2010
Photographer: Peggy Sirota
Make-up: Susan Houser
Nanda Hampe is a German-Thai model who is signed to Next models. Some of the other brands she has worked for brands include Alexander McQueen, French Connection, Kenneth Cole, and L’Oreal.
Hyoni Kang on the cover of Nordstrom catalog, November 2010

Hyoni Kang is a Korean fashion model, currently with Ford Models. She is the first East Asian to win the Ford models Supermodel of the World contest in 2008.
Li Ming & Jing Ma in Harper’s Bazaar US story, November 2010

Story: Suno or Later
Photographer: Sean Cunningham
Li Ming was formerly known as Carolyn Geh and was only recently renamed. She is signed with Women Direct. Jing Ma is currently with Muse.
Lakshmi Menon in editorial for Elle US, December 2010
Photographer: Horst Diekgerdes
Stylist: Brian Mollog
Hair: Teddy Charles
Make-up: Romy Soleimani
Manicurist: Cheryl Bailey
This Indian beauty is with Supreme Management. She has appeared in ad campaigns for Hermes, Max Mara, Givenchy and H&M.
Sun Fei Fei & Du Juan in ad campaign for H&M, Holiday 2010
Sun Fei Fei is both an actress and a model. Her agency is Women Management and she was all over the spring 2011 runways. Du Juan is one of the major Asian models in the industry. She’s walked for prominent designers such as Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Roberto Cavalli and Chanel. She is currently with IMG Models.
Charlotte Carey in ad campaign for BCBGeneration, Fall/Winter 2010

Photographer: David Roemer
Stylist: Sally Lyndley
Make-up: Robin Black
Hair: John Ruggiero
Charlotte Carey is Indonesian and English and she is signed to IMG Models.
Asian models may not be as prominent in editorials (yet) but it’s good to see them flaunt those silky black tresses across some of the beautiful holiday ads this season. ‘Tis something to be jolly about, indeed!