Having been scouted when she was in high school, Leah Chen started her modeling career at that time, and it has now taken her to the runway shows of Paris, New York, and Shanghai Fashion Week, where she has had the opportunity to work with brands such as MiuMiu, Gucci, Moschino, Dior, Chloé, Off/White, Coach, Thom Browne, and Hermes, among others.
Leah Chen describes the journey of a model as both exciting and challenging, requiring hard work, dedication, and resilience. She feels very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with these big brands, but she acknowledges that the first step is always the hardest.
Her first collaboration with MiuMiu came about when her agent sent her photos to MiuMiu’s casting director, who then invited her to attend a casting and fitting session. Since then, she has participated in numerous MiuMiu fashion shows held in Paris and Shanghai.
Similar to the opportunity from MiuMiu, after she walked the first runway show for Gucci through a normal audition, she was consistently invited by the brand to work for other opportunities, including runway shows and campaign shootings. “I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such reputed brands,” Leah told us about her journey working with popular big brands in the fashion industry.
Before a runway show, Leah typically spends several hours in hair and makeup, and rehearses the runway walk and choreography. She controls her diet by eating lighter and avoiding salty and spicy foods during fashion weeks because it’s easy for her to get bloated, which can be noticeable on camera.
During fashion weeks, she starts doing light exercises to help her feel better and improve her overall condition. She revealed, “I am very clear on how to wear the designer’s clothing and follow specific instructions on how to walk and pose in the runway show.”
In her leisure time, Leah enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She emphasizes that it’s important to have hobbies and interests outside of work to maintain a healthy work-life balance. “It’s very important for a person who works as a model to have a strong heart to handle rejection and criticism,” Leah shared her thoughts.
Rather than New York and Paris, Leah plans to walk the runway at London and Milan Fashion Week this year. For Leah, “I believe that each of these cities has its own unique style and culture. Walking the runway at these events will not only allow me to showcase my modeling skills, but also provide valuable exposure to top designers, brands, and industry professionals.”
This Chinese model has made a name for herself in the global modeling industry. “I enjoy working with a diverse range of fashion brands and all aspects of the fashion world. I hope to showcase my versatility as a model and expand my portfolio with a range of looks and styles,” she concluded.
Team credits
Photo: Kam Lin.
Model: Leah Chen.
Stylist: Xiangzhun Song.
Makeup Artist: Peter Qian.
Hair Stylist: Andy Lu.
Production: Yan Zheng.
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
