Current index status
Rising / Global Watch.
This profile remains unnumbered until its current evidence meets the Global 50 threshold. It is an editorial assessment, not a judgement of personal worth.
Index Rating · Editorial pillars · Medium confidence · evidence reviewed
84.5
- Runway · 40%
- 81
- Campaigns · 30%
- 87
- Editorial · 20%
- 86
- Cultural aura · 10%
- 88
Casting ledger
Verified walks.
No house-level walks on the casting ledger yet. The desk adds rows only when a public source confirms the booking.
Open the casting ledger ↗01 / Why they matter
What Du is known for.
Louis Vuitton and major Chinese editorial authority
02 / Career record
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.
03 / Career record
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.
04 / Career record
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).
05 / At a glance
Quick facts.
- —Born 15 September 1982 in Shanghai, China; trained in classical ballet at the Shanghai Theatre Academy for nine years before modelling
- —Competed in the Ford Supermodel of the World competition before signing with IMG Models
- —The first East Asian model to appear on the cover of Vogue Paris, shot by Mario Testino in 2005
- —Has appeared on the cover of Vogue China 18 times, reportedly more than any other model or celebrity in that market
- —Featured in the Pirelli Calendar in 2008
- —Won Hong Kong Film Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best New Performer for her 2013 film debut, American Dreams in China
06 / Current index evidence
Why is Du Juan on the Rising watchlist?
- 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: Editorial pillars · Medium confidence · evidence reviewed. Scores may change when a source is corrected or new work enters the current window.
Sources & evidence
Facts are summarised in our own words from these public records. Independent editorial profile; not endorsed by the subject, agencies or brands. See our editorial & sourcing policy.
Explore the index
Where Du sits.
Nationality & discipline
Runway & representation
Facts on this page are drawn from public work records and industry press, and summarised in our own words. This is an independent editorial profile — it is not endorsed by the subject, their agencies, or the brands named. Last reviewed 2026-07-14. Corrections: desk@thecastindex.com.