Du Juan has established herself as a star model and a beacon of light for Asian models. She took the fashion world by storm since her Spring 2006 debut at Paris Haute Couture where she walked for top designers: Chanel, Valentino, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier and Anne Valerie Hash. In 2005, she became the first Asian model to grace the cover of French Vogue.
Born and raised in Shanghai, China, Du Juan started modeling by chance. Her childhood dream was to be a world-class dancer and she studied both dance and opera at the prestigious Shanghai Dance School. Unfortunately, Du Juan was told she was too tall to continue dancing, which lead her to try modeling. She took the top prize at a national modeling competition. Her graceful ballerina like manner translated beautifully behind the camera, and Du Juan quickly made a name for herself in fashion.
Du Juan has worked with some of fashion&rsquo ;s most renowned photographers – Mario Testino, Peter Lindberg, Patrick Demarchelier, Mert and Marcus, Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, Lachlan Bailey, David Sims, Paolo Roversi, Mario Sorrenti, Karl Lagerfeld, Juergen Teller, and Craig McDean. She is also featured in influential magazines such as Vogue (Italian, French, American, Chinese), W, L’Officiel, Jalouse, French, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, PoP, Allure, and Time. She is the most prominent face of China Vogue – with over ten covers including the inaugural issue, and at least one editorial in each issue since its launch in September 2005.
In her first international show season, Du Juan walked down an astonishing total of 43 runways for top brands such as Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Hermes, Kenzo, Bottega Veneta, Emmanuel Ungaro, Dries Van Noten, Oscar de la Renta, and Badgley Mischka. She remains a prominent feature on the runways of the world.
Du Juan’s success within the fashion industry was solidified later that year by appearing in global advertising campaigns for five major international brands – Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, David Yurman, Roberto Cavalli, the Gap, Swarovski, Giorgio Armani, Shanghai Tang, the first Chinese global luxury brand and Lane Crawford, Asia’s premier luxury retail giant.
Now based in New York City, Du Juan travels home to China when she has a break in her demanding schedule. She remains one of the most sought after faces in the industry.