Liu Wen Becomes The First Asian Model On Victoria's Secret Show

by Yuliya Talmazan | December 1, 2009 at 04:43 pm

2192 views | 2 Recommendations | 0 comments

Victoria's Secret show has always been an eye-catcher. But, this year Victoria's Secret model roster has an unusual addition. Liu Wen will become the first Asian model to join the ranks of Victoria's Secret show girls.

"I was surprised when my agent told me," Wen said hours before she was set to walk the runway.

"I asked my agent if she was joking. I didn't think an Asian girl would get this job."

The so-called "models of colour" are only now starting to become a regular sight on the runways of major fashion houses. Historically, models of non-fair complexion had to fight their way into an industry that is incredibly competitive as is. Being of a different skin colour was an extra "hurdle" that many non-Caucasian models had to break through - the likes of Iman, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Kimora Lee Simmons and others had to shatter conventional fashion stereotypes and beauty standards. Even now, only 18% of models on the catwalks of the New York Fashion Week, one of the biggest fashion events in the world, are non-white.

But, many brands are now starting to realize market realities. And, the reality is that most women buying their clothes are not white or slim the way most models are, creating a disconnect between the product and the buyer. Getting models of different ethnicities and sizes to walk the runways might be the next big thing in aligning the product and its delivery to what the consumer can actually relate to.