30 Little Known Facts About The Supermodel - Liu Wen You May Not Know

Liu Wen, dubbed as the “China’s First bona fide supermodel” by The New York Times, with her infectious smile resulting in deep dimples, and surprising deep voice, broke with the stereotype and became the first Chinese face in the Victoria’s Fashion world. In fact, she is a woman of many firsts, ultimately becoming a role model from millions of people around the world. Here are some really interesting facts about the Chinese supermodel that will make you love her more:

"File:Diane von Fürstenberg Spring-Summer 2014 06.jpg" by CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK is licensed under CC BY 2.0

1.  In the year 2009, Lie Wen became the first woman of Chinese descent to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
2.  She became the first Asian to be in the top five on Forbes’ list of the “World’s Highest Paid Models,” at #5, in the year 2013.
3.  She became the first person in the world to showcase an Apple Watch on a magazine cover with her appearance on Vogue China's November 2014 issue.
4.  Wen became the second ever Chinese model to appear on the front cover of American Vogue for its 125the Anniversary March 2017 issue.
5.  She became the first East Asian spokesmodel for the American cosmetics brand Estée Lauder, when the company signed her, alongside Joan Smalls and Constance Jablonski in 2010.
6.  Lie Wen was born on January 27, 1988 in Yongzhou, Hunan, China. She is the only child of the family. She currently resides in New York, and is represented by The Society Management.
7.  With a height of 1.79 m (5 feet 10 and 1⁄2 inch), she is one of the tall models from China. During her childhood, she used to tower over her classmates, which led to her developing the habit of hunching her back.
8.  In order to improve her posture, her mother encouraged her to take up a career in modeling, while also maintaining a disciplined life.
9.  At the young age of 17, she participated in the New Silk Road World Model Contest, and won the semi-final, in the year 2005.
10.  Her motivation to participate in the model contest was the winning prize – a brand new laptop. However, she did not place within the top 10.

"File:Diane von Fürstenberg Spring-Summer 2014 18.jpg" by CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK from Chicago, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0

11.  But her performance in the contest, earned her some recognition, and was offered to model in Beijing. But, her appearance did not match the commercial look required at that time, and she had difficulties in finding appropriate jobs.
12.  Still, within a period of 2 years, in 2007, she became the sought-after model, in China, and also gained the attention of international modeling industry, with her appearance in the editorial for Chinese Cosmopolitan.
13.  She appeared in four fashion-related articles for Chinese Vogue in February 2008, and debuted on international runways.
14.  The same month, Wen walked for Burberry and closed the fall Trussardi show in Milan, while walking for Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and Hermes in Paris.
15.  She appeared in 74 shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris, for the Fall 2009 ready-to-wear season, which was the highest number of shows for a model in the 2009 season.
16.  This remains as the record for the most number of shows ever walked by a model of Asian descent in a single season, as of the writing.
17.  During the Spring 2010 ready-to-wear season, she walked 70 shows in Milan, Paris, New York and London, becoming the second most booked model for the season, just after French model Constance Jablonski.
18.  She has been featured as the only female in major Vogue editorials for Vogue Germany, Vogue Espana, Vogue China, Vogue Italia, British Vogue, and American Vogue.
19.  In Spring 2013, Liu Wen was dubbed as one of "The New Icons" by H&M for her widely admired street-style.
20.  She was ranked at #3 on the “Top 50 Models Women List” by Models.com, in 2013, becoming the highest-ranked model of Asian descent in history.

"Liu Wen for Vogue Portugal(November 2009)" by willy-photographer is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

21.  With this, she was elevated to the status of “New Supermodel” by Models.com in July 2014, making her the first Asian model to ever receive that honor.
22.  In April 2015, she and South Korean singer Choi Siwon participated in a Chinese spin-off of the South Korean variety show “We Got Married.”
23.  She was appointed as the global ambassador of Chanel Beauty – a French company that produces luxury clothes and accessories.
24.  An avid traveler, she created a hashtag on Instagram titled #WenInFlight, through which she documents all of her experiences while travelling across the world.
25.  She posted a photo showing herself and Wendi Deng Murdoch with the English captain – “Happy Lunar New Year,” in February 2018.
26.  This led to a controversy when a large group of Chinese netizens, accused her of forgetting her roots and heritage, and affiliating herself with other countries.
27.  Although there was a group of netizens who defended her usage of the phrase and supported her, still, she was constantly criticized after that post.
28.  In the end, she changed the captain from “Happy Lunar New Year,” to “Happy Chinese New Year.” This was also the only instance of any controversy in Wen’s modeling career.
29.  When the fashion brand Coach produced a T-shirt listing Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan as separate countries, instead of under China’s flag, she cut all of her contracts with the brand.
30.  She was featured on the cover of American Vogue, for a second time, with the April 2020 issue, becoming the first person of Chinese descent to appear twice in the edition.
31.  Liu Wen Net Worth: $40 Million