Xiao Wen Ju

About Xiao Wen Ju

Xiao Wen Ju was born on May 19, 1989, in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, growing up in the historic city known for the Terracotta Warriors, in a family of Han Chinese descent. Details about her education are sparse, as she entered modeling young, but she completed high school in China before focusing on her career. Known in the industry as “Xiao,” she was scouted at 18 in 2007 by a local agency while shopping in Xi’an, initially hesitant but drawn to fashion’s creative allure. She signed with IMG Models in 2010, moving to New York and debuting at the Fall 2011 Honor show, marking her rise as a trailblazing Chinese model in the global fashion scene.

She is part of the "Golden Army" of Chinese supermodels that dominated the runway from 2010 to the present with Liu Wen, Fei Fei Sun, Sui He, Ming Xi, Xiao Wen Ju, Yilan Hua, Shu Pei, He Cong, Jing Wen, Chu Wong. Xiao’s modeling career skyrocketed, making her the first Chinese model to be the face of Marc Jacobs in 2012. Represented by IMG Models (New York, Paris, London), she walked for Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, and Nina Ricci, and became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2016, walking their iconic runway. Her editorial work includes covers for Vogue China (September 2025), Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar China (May 2010), ELLE France, and ELLE China, with campaigns for L’Oréal Paris (2016), Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Bvlgari. Ranked #22 on models.com’s Top 50 female models list in July 2012, she has collaborated with photographers like Steven Meisel, cementing her high-fashion status.

Xiao maintains a vibrant social media presence, with over 300,000 Instagram followers, sharing modeling shoots, yoga routines, and motherhood moments. Her mainstream career includes minor acting roles in Dior’s Secret Garden - Versailles (2012), Lady Gaga’s I Want Your Love music video (2015), and Honor Spring 2012 (2012). She featured in Model Diaries (2018), documenting her Dubai trip with Etihad Airways, and appeared on Chinese TV fashion segments. Her advocacy for Asian representation in fashion and her warm, relatable online persona, often shared in Mandarin, have boosted her influence, alongside friendships with models like Wang Xiao.

At 5’9½” (177 cm) with measurements of 34-24-34 inches, Xiao Wen Ju possesses a slender, graceful frame, short black hair often styled in a chic bob, and expressive dark eyes that convey warmth and intensity. Her delicate features, high cheekbones, and radiant skin create a distinctive, versatile beauty that shines in both avant-garde editorials and commercial campaigns like L’Oréal. Her sex appeal lies in her playful yet poised presence, earning her praise as a “modern muse” by Vogue Singapore. Photographers like Jumbo Tsui and peers like Ming Xi laud her “unique, magnetic charm,” with Harper’s Bazaar Australia noting her “fresh, dynamic energy” that redefines Asian beauty standards.

Xiao has faced minimal controversies, though her 2012 Tibi Fall/Winter show mishap—walking the wrong way on the runway—drew light-hearted attention, which she laughed off as a learning moment. Her sexuality is reported as straight, and she is a mother, though she keeps her family life private, with no confirmed details about relationships or partners. Her net worth is estimated at $500,000–$1 million, driven by modeling and endorsements, though she remains discreet about her finances. Critics occasionally note her limited mainstream crossover, but her focus on family and advocacy for diversity has earned respect, keeping her career scandal-free.

At 36 in 2025, Xiao Wen Ju’s legacy as a pioneering Chinese supermodel endures, breaking barriers for Asian models in global fashion. On platforms like models.com, fans call her a “trailblazer,” with one commenter noting, “Xiao’s vibrant energy reshaped the industry.” Her 2020 quote to Vogue Singapore, “Beauty is about being yourself,” reflects her authentic approach. Currently, she splits time between New York and Shanghai, appearing in Vogue China’s September 2025 issue and a 2025 Bvlgari campaign.