As London Fashion Week 2018 draws to an end today (Feb 20), we look back on the Asian models who stood out while walking the Fall/Winter 2018 shows. The lineup of rising “models of the moment” like Cong He, Yoon Young Bae and Hyun Ji Shin were seen at most the shows, while social media favourites Fernanda Ly and Kiko Mizuhara also made rare appearances.
Take a look at eight Asian fresh faces you need know now.
It’s always nice to see a Singaporean reppin’ at huge international fashion events. So of couse, we’re more than proud of homegrown model Layla Ong for landing a spot on the cast of Gucci’s AW’18 fashion show during Milan fashion week. The 22-year-old got her first big break as a contestant on Asia’s Next Top Model Cycle 5. Although she did not win, she did go on to accomplish greater things such as landing the cover and a full spread on Singaporean titles like Female magazine.
31-year-old Korean top model Soo Joo Park is known for being the first-ever Asian face of Prada. She’s also the first Asian-American global spokesperson for L’Oreal Paris. Her icy blonde locks and unique facial features give her an edge above cookie cutter-type beauties in the modelling industry — and we think she couldn’t have looked better than at Philipp Plein’s A/W18 show. Dressed in a glittering disco ball of a jumpsuit and a PVC trench, the model sauntered through soapy artificial snow and giant moon rocks at the space odyssey themed show.
Photo: Instagram / paperiidollxrunway
Fresh faced Mona Matsuoka is a 20-year-old half-Japanese, half-American beauty from Tokyo who debuted on the A/W 2014 international runways for brands such as Kenzo, Chanel and Miu Miu when she was only 16. At the Ulla Johnson A/W ‘18 show during NYFW, the pretty model donned romantic ruffled frocks and pristine white knits.
Photo: Instagram / Mona Matsuoka
Deemed as “Korean Model of the Moment” by Vogue in 2016 and “South Korea’s Rising Top Model” by W Magazine in 2017, it’s safe to say that Yoon Young Bae is the model to watch right now. The sharp-eyed doll face has walked international runways and starred in campaigns – for brands like Prada, Loewe and Christian Dior – after she caught the eyes of fashion editors at Seoul Fashion Week 2015. At the Erdem A/W ‘18 show during LFW, the 21-year-old took on an elegant vintage look in a brocade tuxedo suit.
Photo: Showbit
Reality television fans may recognize Shin from her stint (and win) on Korea’s Next Top Model cycle 4 in 2016 and she has since been a rising runway star. The 21-year-old model has been praised by many publications for her seemingly flawless complexion, with Vogue naming her as the model who “has the best skin in the business”. At Burberry’s A/W ‘18 show, which also happens to be Creative Director Christopher Bailey’s last collection at the helm, the South Korean model had on a pink structured coat in childlike scribbles and colourful embroidery — a whimsical and stunning look which brought out her youthful features.
According to The Fashion Spot the Chinese beauty walked the most shows for any model of colour during A/W‘17 presentations — an impressive feat which symbolises an industry-wide shift to diversifying its model castings. Famed for starring in Rihanna’s Fenty campaign back in 2016 next to Korean model Kim Sang Woo, the instantly recognisable 20-year-old is on her way to becoming the next ‘It model’ of the century. Decked in an early 19th century-inspired dress on the cusp of Victoriana and swathes of black see-through net fabric, He Cong evoked regal glamour.
Photo: Instagram / Cong He
25-year-old South Korean model Sora Choi first rose to fame in 2012 when she competed and subsequently won Korea’s Next Top Model. Since making her debut at Louis Vuitton’s Resort show in 2014, Sora has been climbing the proverbial ladder in the industry with her edgy, rock-chic look. As her face peered out from a hand-spun balaclava, Sora made quite an impression on the runway of Calvin Klein’s A/W18 show as she sauntered down confidently in a gingham folk dress.
Photo: Instagram / Sora Choi
The powder pink-haired Australian model’s rise to stardom began when she first stepped onto the Louis Vuitton A/W ‘15 runway as a newcomer to the modelling industry. Within seconds, her’s was the name on everyone’s lips: Fernanda Ly. Now, she’s an international fashion star. The Chinese model took to the Noon by Noor A/W ‘18 runway to brandish what is appearing to be one of next season’s biggest trends: chunky faux fur sleeve cuffs.
It Girl Kiko Mizuhara is big on Instagram. And by big, we mean 4.8 million followers big. Having been blessed by a gamine personal style and alternative dressing sense, the model of American and Korean descent draws a big group of fans and followers from the world over. Kiko walked the runway at the Adam Selman Fall/Winter 2018 fashion show in a pair of cat-eye sunglasses (you can’t really see it here, but they’ve got cute heart motifs on ‘em) and an ensemble fit for a rock star: a sweater with metallic red hearts and a mini skirt detailed by zippers.
Photo: Showbit