Decoding the breakthrough success of Asian models in the world fashion village

It is known that Asian models have a harder time getting ahead than those from many other countries in the world, but these girls are a prime example of the differences that lead to success.

In the past 5 years, Asian models have achieved much success on fashion runways around the world. Among them are the spectacular progress of many beauties such as Liu Wen, Sui He, Fei Fei Sun, Soo Joo Park, Fernanda Ly.

So what brings success to beauties with Asian features?

The concept of the term supermodel was born in the 1940s and 1950s, when the basic standards for a model were a small waist, a graceful demeanor, a sharp face, and full, seductive lips. The icon of that time was Bettina - the muse in Dior's "New Look" designs.

However, the world began to change its concept of model beauty when in 1960, petite supermodel Twiggy became the one who created a new standard with her characteristic appearance including a slim body, big round eyes and a personality pixie haircut.

Twiggy became an immortal symbol of the standards of a petite model, with a cold face and short hair in the world fashion industry at that time.

However, the most explosive period of the term supermodel must be mentioned in 1990 with the rise of impressive names such as Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer with toned, strong, and attractive bodies.

The new standard for the modern generation of models appeared with the success of beauty Kate Moss, and the trend of super skinny body shape gradually spread strongly to the thinking of many prestigious fashion houses.

The 1990s were the boom period for a new generation of supermodels in the world fashion industry.

The rise of the all-star class of models including Gisele Bundchen, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum in 2000 brought about the most changes in the standards of the modeling profession to date.

Over the decades, the mark of Asian models is still obscure, and it is even rare to see their appearance in small shows within the framework of world fashion weeks.

So what makes these beauties successful in the international arena?

World standards change, Asian models rise to the top

After a long period of defining the standards of models, Asian faces have finally become phenomena in the world fashion industry such as Liu Wen, Sui He, Fei Fei Sun or Soo Joo Park, Fernanda Ly.

Success is not accidental but has a reason, when the thinking of fashion houses began to change according to economic problems. They realized that China and Korea are among the most interested markets.

Customers always want to see models with their own unique facial features and a slim figure. That has become a factor that helps Asian models easily get noticed by fashion houses.

Economics is not the only reason for their success on the international stage. The easiest phrase to explain the strong Asian wave is difference.

When standing next to white, blonde models, the Asian models will become an impressive difference in the show.

If fashionistas are too familiar with the image of a noble white-skinned, blonde woman strutting down the runway, then the Asian model with monolid eyes, black hair and a unique face will become a special highlight in the shows.

Supermodel Liu Wen also shared in a fashion magazine about her differences: "People chose red lipstick for me because they thought it suited Chinese people. But now, they also choose red lipstick for other Asian models because they believe our skin color is different from white people and they think it suits us."

Liu Wen was the first Asian model to walk in the Victoria's Secret show in 2009.

However, to achieve the success they have today, the girls had to go through an arduous journey with a lot of sweat and tears on runways around the world.

Fame and millions of dollars in income

In terms of success and fame, Liu Wen is the first Asian model to become an "angel" in the Victoria's Secret show and the Asian representative face for the Estée Lauder brand, as well as receiving attention from big names in the world such as Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermes, DKNY...

She has attracted 18 million followers on Weibo and more than 2.7 million on her personal Instagram account. Forbes estimates that Liu earned $7 million in 2016, making her the eighth highest-paid model in the world.

Not only fame and success, Asian models also bring in high incomes of up to millions of USD a year.

If Liu Wen is a successful Asian model, Sui He also achieved memorable milestones in her career when she walked on many international catwalks such as Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Fendi, Dior and became the second Asian model to appear in the world's largest lingerie show, Victoria's Secret.

Later, the Asian model lineup also had many more unique faces with equally great success such as Ming Xi, Fei Fei Sui, Soo Joo Park or Choi So Ra.

Not only bringing freshness to the world fashion industry, Asian models working abroad also influence and contribute to changing the concept of typical beauty of Asian women.

According to Zing