Liu Wen

About Liu Wen

Liu Wen was born on January 27, 1988, in Yongzhou, Hunan Province, China, growing up as an only child in a working-class family with a father who worked in construction. Her mother encouraged her to pursue modeling to improve her posture, as she often hunched to avoid towering over classmates. She completed high school, initially studying tourism with dreams of becoming a tour guide, but shifted to modeling. Known in the industry as “Wen,” she was scouted at 17 in 2005 after entering the New Silk Road World model contest in Hunan, motivated by the prize of a laptop. Though she didn’t place in the top 10 nationally, she moved to Beijing, signing with a local agency and beginning her career with Chinese fashion shoots.

She is part of the "Golden Army" of Chinese supermodels that dominated the runway from 2010 to the present with Fei Fei Sun, Sui He, Ming Xi, Xiao Wen Ju, Yilan Hua, Shu Pei, He Cong, Jing Wen, Xin Xie, Yuan Bo Chao and Chu Wong. Signed with The Society Management (New York), Elite Model Management (Paris, Milan, London), and Catwalk (Shanghai), she became the first Chinese model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2009, appearing again in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2018. She walked for Chanel, Dior, Prada, Burberry, and Hermès, and was the first East Asian spokesmodel for Estée Lauder in 2012. Her editorial work includes three American Vogue covers (2017, 2020, 2023), the first solo Asian cover for French Vogue (2024), and covers for Vogue China, Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, and W Magazine. Campaigns for Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, and H&M, plus her #5 ranking on models.com’s Top 50 in 2012, highlight her influence. Forbes listed her among the highest-paid models, peaking at $7 million in 2015.

Liu maintains a vibrant social media presence, with over 5 million Instagram followers (@liuwenlw), sharing modeling shoots, travel, and advocacy for diversity in fashion. Her mainstream career is limited, with appearances in short films like Dior’s Secret Garden (2013) and Vogue China’s digital content, but no major TV or film roles. She has guest-starred on Chinese fashion shows and appeared at events like the Met Gala (2015–2019). Her influence as a global ambassador for brands like Puma and La Perla, combined with her candid posts about her career and cultural pride, has made her a role model for Asian youth, amplifying her impact beyond modeling.

At 5’10½” (179 cm) with measurements of 31.5-23.5-34.5 inches, Liu Wen possesses a slender, statuesque frame, jet-black hair, and dark brown eyes that convey elegance and warmth. Her high cheekbones, dimpled smile, and radiant skin create a versatile beauty, excelling in both high fashion and commercial work like Estée Lauder. Her sex appeal lies in her poised yet approachable charm, earning her the title “China’s fashion pioneer” by The New York Times. Photographers like Steven Meisel and peers like Fei Fei Sun praise her “effortless grace,” with Vogue noting her “modern, global appeal” that redefined Asian representation in fashion.

Liu faced backlash in 2018 for using the term "Happy Lunar New Year" in an Instagram post, which some Chinese netizens accused of being unpatriotic and disrespecting Chinese roots, though "Lunar New Year" is a broader, inclusive term for the holiday celebrated by multiple Asian countries. In 2019, she also publicly distanced herself from the brand Coach and apologized after the company released a T-shirt that listed Taiwan as an independent country, which is seen as a violation of China's territorial integrity. This highlights how Chinese models face constant pressure to be extremely patriotic, nationalistic, and completely loyal to the Chinese Communist government or face backlash from the Chinese people. Her sexuality is reported as straight, with rumored past relationships, including with South Korean singer Choi Si-won, though she keeps her personal life private with no confirmed current partner. Her net worth is estimated at $40 million, driven by modeling, endorsements, and brand partnerships.

At 37 in 2025, Liu Wen’s legacy as China’s first supermodel endures, breaking barriers for Asian models globally. On platforms like models.com, fans call her a “game-changer,” with one commenter noting, “Liu’s elegance and trailblazing spirit reshaped fashion.” Her 2017 quote to Forbes Asia, “I want to show the world what Chinese beauty can be,” reflects her mission. Currently, she splits time between New York and Shanghai, appearing in Vogue China’s October 2025 issue and a 2025 Chanel campaign.