Xiao Wen Ju — Biography
Born in Xi’an, Shaanxi, China, on May 19, 1989, Xiao Wen Ju emerged from the historic city renowned for its Terracotta Warriors. She hails from a Han Chinese family. Information about her formal education is limited due to her early entry into the modeling world. She did complete high school in China before fully dedicating herself to her burgeoning career.
Known professionally as “Xiao,” her journey began at eighteen when a local agency spotted her while she was shopping in Xi’an in 2007. Initially reserved, the creative appeal of the fashion industry eventually drew her in. She joined IMG Models in 2010, relocating to New York. Her runway debut occurred at the Fall 2011 Honor show, signifying her ascent as a groundbreaking Chinese model on the international fashion stage. Xiao is recognized as a key member of the influential "Golden Army" of Chinese supermodels who have significantly shaped the runway from 2010 to the present, a group that includes luminaries like Liu Wen, Fei Fei Sun, Sui He, Ming Xi, Yilan Hua, Shu Pei, He Cong, Jing Wen, and Chu Wong.
Xiao's modeling career rapidly gained momentum, leading her to become the first Chinese model to be the face of Marc Jacobs in 2012. Under the representation of IMG Models in their New York, Paris, and London offices, she has graced the runways for prestigious houses such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, and Nina Ricci. Her career reached another milestone in 2016 when she became a Victoria’s Secret Angel, participating in their famed fashion show. Her editorial portfolio boasts covers for prominent publications including Vogue China (September 2025), Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar China (May 2010), ELLE France, and ELLE China. Additionally, she has featured in campaigns for L’Oréal Paris (2016), Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Bvlgari. In July 2012, she secured the #22 spot on models.com’s Top 50 female models list, a testament to her high-fashion standing, further solidified by her collaborations with esteemed photographers like Steven Meisel.
Beyond her modeling work, Xiao maintains an active social media presence, with over 300,000 Instagram followers. She uses the platform to share glimpses of her modeling shoots, yoga practices, and personal moments related to motherhood. Her foray into acting includes brief appearances in Dior’s Secret Garden - Versailles (2012), Lady Gaga’s music video for "I Want Your Love" (2015), and Honor Spring 2012 (2012). She was also featured in Model Diaries (2018), chronicling a trip to Dubai with Etihad Airways, and has made appearances on Chinese television
Known professionally as “Xiao,” her journey began at eighteen when a local agency spotted her while she was shopping in Xi’an in 2007. Initially reserved, the creative appeal of the fashion industry eventually drew her in. She joined IMG Models in 2010, relocating to New York. Her runway debut occurred at the Fall 2011 Honor show, signifying her ascent as a groundbreaking Chinese model on the international fashion stage. Xiao is recognized as a key member of the influential "Golden Army" of Chinese supermodels who have significantly shaped the runway from 2010 to the present, a group that includes luminaries like Liu Wen, Fei Fei Sun, Sui He, Ming Xi, Yilan Hua, Shu Pei, He Cong, Jing Wen, and Chu Wong.
Xiao's modeling career rapidly gained momentum, leading her to become the first Chinese model to be the face of Marc Jacobs in 2012. Under the representation of IMG Models in their New York, Paris, and London offices, she has graced the runways for prestigious houses such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Versace, and Nina Ricci. Her career reached another milestone in 2016 when she became a Victoria’s Secret Angel, participating in their famed fashion show. Her editorial portfolio boasts covers for prominent publications including Vogue China (September 2025), Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar China (May 2010), ELLE France, and ELLE China. Additionally, she has featured in campaigns for L’Oréal Paris (2016), Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, and Bvlgari. In July 2012, she secured the #22 spot on models.com’s Top 50 female models list, a testament to her high-fashion standing, further solidified by her collaborations with esteemed photographers like Steven Meisel.
Beyond her modeling work, Xiao maintains an active social media presence, with over 300,000 Instagram followers. She uses the platform to share glimpses of her modeling shoots, yoga practices, and personal moments related to motherhood. Her foray into acting includes brief appearances in Dior’s Secret Garden - Versailles (2012), Lady Gaga’s music video for "I Want Your Love" (2015), and Honor Spring 2012 (2012). She was also featured in Model Diaries (2018), chronicling a trip to Dubai with Etihad Airways, and has made appearances on Chinese television
