The 15 Most Influential Asian Male Models In The Fashion Industry
Meet the guys of Asian origin making the biggest waves on the runways and advertising billboards right now.
While diversity in modelling is so much better than it once was, black and Asian male models are still underrepresented on the global fashion scene. The latter is particularly puzzling when you consider the luxury consumer powerhouse that China has become, and also that the guys on this list are some of the most striking and popular male models on the circuit.
Either way, you’re likely to recognise a few faces here, as well as noting a handful of new talents who have burst onto the circuit.
Taemin Park
South Korean superstar Taemin Park has been busy at Milan Fashion Week recently where he was one of the standout models at Emporio Armani, as well as walking in his first ever show for Italian luxury brand Gucci. He has also starred in billboard campaigns for the likes of COS, and modelled for the Berluti SS23 lookbook.
With that slick-back length of jet black hair and cheekbones you could hang your hat on, Taemin Park is going to be a fashion feature for a long time to come.
When he’s not walking runways in Milan and Paris, you’ll find him cruising around Seoul on his Harley Davidson low rider.
Wang Chenming
At nearly 6′ 3″, China model Wang Chenming has a great presence on runways, and has recently walked for Emporia Armani in Milan and Dior Men, as well as starring in the latter’s Fall 22 advertising campaign.
While he describes his own personal style as centred around a vintage aesthetic, Chenming’s portfolio of work is nothing but modern, becoming one of former Creative Director Alessandro Michele’s go-to faces for Gucci shows.
One of the most widely recognised Chinese male models, Chenming always brings a certain gravitas to his editorials.
Xu Meen
If you even have just a passing interest in menswear shows and brand campaigns then you will not have failed to have spotted South Korean model Xu Meen.
The shaven-headed model, renowned for his striking androgynous looks, is represented by IMG Models Worldwide and has a portfolio of work that’s the envy of any male model working today.
Despite his ethereal looks, Meen is a very humble guy. He has walked on all of the biggest runways, and is a favourite at Balmain. If you ever needed inspiration to shave your head, Meen is it.
Yura Nakano
The slender rangy Japanese model had a stellar SS23 season with a runway roster difficult to top. Nakano has walked at Dior, Balmain, Jil Sander, MM6 Maison Margiela, Fendi, Kenzo, Marine Serre and Hermès among others, cementing his place as one of the most sought-after male models of the moment.
Full lips accentuate his unique boyishness, giving him a playful charm that is sure to carry him a long way.
Zhao Lei
One of the pioneering Chinese male models, Zhao Lei was born in 1986 and is still one of the most in-demand Asian editorial models.
He got his break on the runways of Dolce & Gabbana, Ermanno Scervino, Roberto Cavalli and Emporio Armani, before gaining notoriety in fashion editorials for magazines such as GQ China, Hercules and Wonderland.
Although he’s entering the twilight of his career, Lei still has the pulling power to command big campaign roles.
Hao Yun Xiang
A favourite on the runways of Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani, Chinese model Hao Yun Xiang was actually a professional athlete before he started a career in front of the camera.
With a classic, strong physique that naturally led Xiang to editorial fame, he has appeared many times in the likes of GQ China and Wallpaper China, as well as fronting campaigns for Hugo Boss, Tod’s and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Daisuke Ueda
Daisuke Ueda has been there, seen it and done it. Launched onto the fashion scene around 2011 with some standout editorials for GQ Japan and GQ China, Ueda quickly found himself walking shows for the likes of Bottega Veneta, Dolce & Gabbana, Dries van Noten, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton and Hermès.
A trailblazer for Asian models, Ueda was the first model in Asia to appear on the cover of Vogue Hommes Japan, photographed by Steven Klein with the artistic supervision of Nicola Formichetti, and was also in two campaigns for Dolce & Gabbana.
Dae Na
South Korean model Dae Na started his career in 2012 when he was found by photographer Hudson Taylor. While he has walked for a long list of the biggest fashion names, and appeared in editorials for the whole gamut of global fashion magazines, Dae Na is perhaps best known for his work with Ralph Lauren.
Na regularly appears in the preppy brand’s campaigns, the most recent being the RL Purple Label Pre-Fall 22 Lookbook. His elegant classic looks with that chiselled jawline naturally make him the perfect fit for RL.
David Chiang
Born in Taiwan in 1988, David Chiang moved to Vancouver in Canada when he was 11 years old, and started modelling at the tender age of 16. When he graduated from college, he decided to go professional, making his debut at the Fall 2010 Alexander McQueen show in Milan, and hasn’t looked back since.
Although he has now taken a back seat from active modelling, the long-haired Chiang still acts as a fashion consultant, and definitely hasn’t lost that otherworldly look that made him so successful.
Win Metawin O
Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, otherwise known as ‘Win’ is a Thai actor, model and singer of Chinese descent. Born in Bangkok in 1999, acting is Win’s bread and butter, and has made him something of a megastar in Thailand, but was recently appointed by Prada as the Italian brand’s newest global ambassador.
When Win is sat front row, the world takes notice. Watch this space.
Sanggun Lee
South Korean model Sanggun Lee hasn’t been on the scene for very long but he has quickly garnered attention from two huge brands who keep coming back for more.
Bottega Veneta and Dolce & Gabbana are big fans of this wunderkind and it’s not difficult to see why. Lee is definitely an up-and-coming star to have on your radar.
Akito Mizutani
With his androgynous aesthetic and long hair, Japanese model Akito Mizutani has been busy recently, walking in shows for the likes of Kenzo, Zegna, Dsquared, Jil Sander and Wales Bonner, as well as some high-profile campaigns for AMI Paris, Kenzo and Loewe.
With a Gucci ad already under his belt, the sought-after model looks like he’s going to have an equally hectic 12 months, having already walked for Homme Plissé Issey Miyake and Lemaire.
Ungho Go
South Korean model of the moment Ungho Go had a busy SS23 shooting season, featuring in the shows at Hermès and Dior Men, where he is becoming a regular feature. He also features in Balmain’s Resort 23 lookbook, and has just starred in a Dazed and Confused Korea editorial, as well as a British Vogue editorial.
If those shoots are anything to go by, Go’s fledgling career is off to a handsome start.
Yang Hao
The highly sought-after Chinese model Yang Hao is on a steep trajectory to modelling stardom, having recently walked for the likes of Lemaire, Dior Men, Fendi and Prada, as well as advertising campaigns for the likes of Dunhill.
Although still early in his career, he has already racked up an amazing body of editorial work thanks to his boyish good looks and versatility, and is definitely one to watch.
Desmond Tan
Although strictly speaking, not a model per se, Singaporean actor Desmond Tan is obsessed with fashion and is a regular front row fixture all over the world.
He has cultivated a uniquely elevated personal style that combines the occasional Japanese streetwear motif with luxury tailoring. Head over to his Instagram page for lots of inspired looks.
