The first issue of Vogue China hit the newsstands in 2005. On the coveted front cover was Australian model-actress, Gemma Ward. Every issue followed suit, featuring a plethora of beautiful women and men—but none of them were Asian.
It wasn't until September 2011 that Vogue China actually featured Asian models on their magazine. On the cover? Shu Pei, Du Juan, Liu Wen, Sui He, Fei Fei Sun, and Ming Xi.
These six women make up a group of up-and-coming Asian models that have recently taken the fashion world by storm.
And all were recently a part of Givenchy's ultra-exclusive haute couture Spring/Summer 2011 show—a show whose lineup featured entirely Asian models.
At the 2011 Alexander McQueen store opening in Beijing, China, head designer Sarah Burton decided to also cast an all-Asian lineup, stating that "being in China I felt it only right to use all Chinese models."
Du Juan (China)
Credited as "the world's first international Chinese supermodel," 29-year old Du Juan has been featured in campaigns for Louis Vuitton, L'Oreal and Yves Saint Laurent—to name just a few. She was on the cover of the first issue of Vogue China in 2005 and has been featured in almost every issue since.
Liu Wen (China)
Liu Wen jump started her modeling career in 2004 after winning the New Silk Road World Model Contest. The 24-year old has since become the first Asian face of the cosmetics company, Estée Lauder, as well as the first Asian model to walk the runway at the Victoria's Secret fashion show.
Ai Tominaga (Japan)
Currently the face of Moschino, 29-year old Ai Tominaga has walked the runway for Anna Sui, Christian Dior, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, and Michael Kors. She has also been featured in the campaigns for Banana Republic, Gucci, and Tag Heuer.
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