Chinese model Liu Wen, 35, is back on the runway, and fans and fashion insiders alike are overjoyed. Following a three-year hiatus brought about by the pandemic, Liu’s comeback show for Prada – which she referred to as a “surreal feeling” – was greeted by tens of thousands of likes and comments on social media.
Often referred to as China’s first supermodel, Wen has come a long way since she first entered the industry and has become an icon in her own right. The towering beauty carved her own path through global stardom, breaking glass ceilings and paving the way for the next generation of Chinese and Asian models.
Let’s take a look at the Yongzhou native’s inspiring journey, career highlights, style and beauty tips:
Breaking barriers
Liu Wen hails from Yongzhou, a city in China’s southern Hunan province. She told The New York Times that when she was younger her hometown had been limited when it came to fashion, as there were “no fashion stores, not even magazines”, she recalled.
Wen told the publication that at school she was considered “too tall” by her peers. However such a trait is a blessing in the modelling industry of course, so Wen, who’s now 1.79cm (the optimum height), decided to pursue modelling. When she turned 17, she entered a modelling contest because her mother wanted her to improve her posture – and the rest is history. According to Models, Wen was discovered in Beijing, then brought to Paris and New York.
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A series of firsts soon followed. Wen became the first Chinese woman to walk the Victoria’s Secret fashion show; the first Chinese model to appear on the cover of American Vogue, and the first Asian spokesperson for Estée Lauder. In 2013, she landed at number five in Forbes’ list of the world’s highest paid models, and was also included in Forbes’ 30 under 30 in 2017.
Per Business of Fashion, Liu walked in 74 shows in the four big fashion capitals during the autumn/winter 2009 season, and 70 for spring/summer 2010, a feat that made her 2009’s second most-booked runway model.
Liu continues to dominate – even on social media. To date, she has at least 25 million followers on Weibo and nearly six million on Instagram.
Her off-duty style
Whether she’s at a formal event or casually posing for her own photos, Liu is a style chameleon who seems to nail every look.
When she’s off duty, her personal style can be described as “cute” and “sporty”, as the model is keen to keep her looks simple and comfortable, she told Vogue.
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She also keeps her make-up minimal. Her top tips include cleansing religiously, face masks and night creams, according to an interview she did with Coveteur. Plus a pair of Chanel sunglasses to cover up occasional late nights. In photos, she often keeps her hair low maintenance too, in a ponytail or down and natural.
Fashion return
Liu’s much-awaited catwalk comeback was at Prada’s autumn/winter 2023 show, but it didn’t stop there.
She also closed the Bottega Veneta show in Milan and the Alexander McQueen show in London. She walked for Loewe, Isabel Marant, Schiaparelli, and Givenchy, attended the Chanel show in the front row, and ended Paris Fashion Week walking for Miu Miu. She’s also graced the recent covers of China’s Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue and Wallpaper.
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At this rate, there’s no predicting where she’ll be seen next, but as fast as the fashion world turns, Liu is sure to follow – or lead the pack.
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