Vogue China: A decade of Du Juan
Posted by Stephan Moskovic | August 3rd, 2015
Vogue China: A decade of Du Juan
On the 10th anniversary of its launch, and the issue that launched Du Juan’s career, Vogue China shares with us an exclusive look back at iconic moments of the Chinese supermodel’s unique relationship with the powerhouse publication. With a recap spanning from that seminal Du Juan/Gemma Ward cover to a behind-the-scenes of the 10th year anniversary cover shoot, and exclusive quotes from Editor-in-Chief Angelica Cheung, Mario Testino, and designer Alber Elbaz, all underlining the distinction that makes Du Juan a true muse and Vogue woman.
All images courtesy of Vogue China for Models.com
Cover photo by Mario Testino
Cover photo by Mario Testino
Vogue China, September 2005 (first issue). Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier.
“
In many ways, I think the elegance that everybody associates with the photos of Du Juan is very much embodied in her person. She isn’t just graceful in front of the cameras, she’s like that all the time, but when it gets caught on camera, it really becomes something stunning. From when I first met her she was a very sweet, very quiet girl, but she always knew her own mind, and was determined to do only what she wanted to do. I remember her saying that this stubbornness comes from her early training as a ballet dancer, and I think it has really shaped her ability to conquer the challenges she faced in her modelling career and the newer challenges she will face as she moves into acting.
– Angelica Cheung
”
In many ways, I think the elegance that everybody associates with the photos of Du Juan is very much embodied in her person. She isn’t just graceful in front of the cameras, she’s like that all the time, but when it gets caught on camera, it really becomes something stunning. From when I first met her she was a very sweet, very quiet girl, but she always knew her own mind, and was determined to do only what she wanted to do. I remember her saying that this stubbornness comes from her early training as a ballet dancer, and I think it has really shaped her ability to conquer the challenges she faced in her modelling career and the newer challenges she will face as she moves into acting.
– Angelica Cheung
”
Vogue China, September 2006. Photographed by Daniel Jackson.
Vogue China, February 2006. Photographed by Mario Sorrenti.
Vogue China, September 2006. Photographed by Mario Sorrenti.
Vogue China, September 2007. Photographed by Greg Kadel.
Vogue China, November 2007. Photographed by Kenneth Willardt.
Vogue China, September 2008. Photographed by Lachlan Bailey.
Vogue China, August 2009. Photographed by Chen Man.
Vogue China, August 2009. Photographed by Quentin Shih.
Vogue China, September 2010. Photographed by Stephane Sednaoui.
Vogue China, September 2011 (with He Sui, Fei Fei Sun, Liu Wen, Ming Xi, Shu Pei) Photographed by Inez & Vinoodh
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“I think Du Juan has a strong core, she is strong on the inside, but from the outside, she can appear delicate. This type of femininity is very appealing to me, to have both inner strength and a graceful way of carrying herself.”
– Alber Elbaz, on Du Juan
”
“I think Du Juan has a strong core, she is strong on the inside, but from the outside, she can appear delicate. This type of femininity is very appealing to me, to have both inner strength and a graceful way of carrying herself.”
– Alber Elbaz, on Du Juan
”
Vogue China, October 2012 Photographed by Wang Yang
Vogue China, September 2015 10th year anniversary issue, featuring Du Juan and Liu Wen among 10 iconic Chinese women, photographed by Mario Testino
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I think it is all to do with the mix of her beauty and her personality. She is so easy and helpful at getting the picture that she stands out.
-Mario Testino, on what makes Du Juan such a timeless beauty
”
I think it is all to do with the mix of her beauty and her personality. She is so easy and helpful at getting the picture that she stands out.
-Mario Testino, on what makes Du Juan such a timeless beauty
”
“
I became a professional model because I worked for Vogue China on their first cover story. This led me to make up my mind and go to New York and Paris to pursue this career. Every time I’ve worked with Vogue China since then, I can feel the energy that their top, professional teams bring…. ‘she’ [Angelica Cheung] has always been alongside me in my professional career, giving me energy, giving me confidence.
– Du Juan
”
I became a professional model because I worked for Vogue China on their first cover story. This led me to make up my mind and go to New York and Paris to pursue this career. Every time I’ve worked with Vogue China since then, I can feel the energy that their top, professional teams bring…. ‘she’ [Angelica Cheung] has always been alongside me in my professional career, giving me energy, giving me confidence.
– Du Juan
”
Icon!
amazine~!!
Best
Thanks for the spotlight on one of my all-time favorite models. I think she’s so much more beautiful and stylish than any of the crop of Asian models that showed up after her and were given more attention and bigger contracts. None of the newer girls can compare to Du Juan or Ai Tominaga, two beauties who opened the doors for all of them.
She’s an iconic dear to me.
I don’t understand why she has not received as much attention as other current asian models. Regardless of the fact that she started modelling earlier than other asian models. However, as an asian super model, she is a legend and icon for sure. She worked extremely hard. There were not many opportunities for asian models back then. She took tons of great pics as well. In the meantime, she is down to earth and humble. A true high fashion model.
I can’t believe its been 10 years. Nobody personifies grace and serenity like Du Juan, the one and only!
I’ve always wondered why she doesn’t have a major beauty contract.