Du Juan

Early life

Du Juan was born on 15 September 1982 in Shanghai, China, the only child of architect parents, and trained in classical ballet at the Shanghai Theatre Academy for nine years before growing too tall for partnered en pointe work, a shift that led her toward modelling. She competed in the Ford Supermodel of the World competition, placing as a runner-up, and signed with IMG Models.

A Vogue Paris milestone, 2005–2006

Du Juan’s international breakout came in 2005, when she became the first East Asian model to appear on the cover of Vogue Paris, shot by Mario Testino alongside Gemma Ward, the same year she made her New York Fashion Week debut. In 2006 she walked for Valentino, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Roberto Cavalli and Chanel, and appeared on a Time magazine style-issue cover.

Building a record in China, 2008–2013

Du Juan was featured in the Pirelli Calendar in 2008 and launched her own cosmetics line in 2009, reaching as high as No. 14 on Models.com’s top-models ranking. She has appeared on the cover of Vogue China 18 times, reportedly more than any other model or celebrity in that market, alongside campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Gap, Swarovski, Yves Saint Laurent and Giorgio Armani. In 2013 she made her film debut in American Dreams in China, earning Hong Kong Film Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best New Performer, followed by Lost in Hong Kong (2015) and Europe Raiders (2018).

Why is Du Juan ranked #57?

• Louis Vuitton and major Chinese editorial authority.
• Eligibility reviewed against work and public visibility in the 2021–2026 window; booking-level citations are maintained in the linked industry and biographical records.

Confidence: Medium confidence · evidence reviewed. Scores may change when a source is corrected or new work enters the current window.