Ming Xi
A Chinese model who stormed the Paris runways, becoming a defining face of Givenchy and a trailblazer for Asian representation in high fashion.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Chinese model·Birthday: March 18·Millennials
Biography
Ming Xi, born Xi Mengyao in Shanghai, didn't follow a conventional path to the catwalk. Her journey began in 2009 with a televised modeling contest, a springboard that launched her into the industry. Just two years later, she made a seismic impact in Paris, debuting for Givenchy's Haute Couture show. Designer Riccardo Tisci saw in her a striking, androgynous beauty that perfectly captured his Gothic-romantic vision, and she swiftly became the face of the brand's major campaigns. Xi's career became a bridge between Eastern and Western fashion; her success opened doors for a new generation of Chinese models. Beyond the severe elegance of Givenchy, she charmed global audiences with her radiant smile on the Victoria's Secret runway, showcasing her versatility. Her presence signaled a pivotal shift in the early 2010s, proving that Asian models could be not just participants, but muses at the very apex of European luxury fashion.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ming was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ming Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Ming's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Debuted for Givenchy Haute Couture in 2011, a landmark moment for a Chinese model on the Paris stage.
- Became the exclusive face of Givenchy's Fall/Winter 2011 global advertising campaign.
- Walked in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show multiple times, starting in 2013.
- Featured on the covers of international editions of Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar.
Did You Know?
She is a trained traditional Chinese dancer, which contributes to her exceptional posture and runway presence.
Ming Xi is also an actress, having had a role in the 2018 film 'The Meg'.
She suffered a dramatic fall during the 2017 Victoria's Secret show but got up and finished her walk with a smile, earning professional praise.
“I'm a Shanghai girl who walked for Givenchy in Paris.”
