HSG

One of the most long-standing causes that the Judgment of Paris has championed has been the push to include more (indeed, any) girls of East Asian descent in the plus-size fashion industry.

There is a rich precedent for full-figured beauty in Far Eastern culture, going back to the famous imperial consort Yang Guifei. By far the most beautiful current Oriental plus-size goddess is Chinese model Zeng Jing. From the southern Pacific, Filipino plus-size model Mercille Tiomico and actress Cai Cortez are attractive as well.

However, the North American plus-size industry still glaringly lacks models of East Asian descent.

Does the lovely Stephanie Shiu, of Muse Models, NY and Milk Management, London, help to fill that lacuna? That depends on one's attitude toward faux-plus models.

There is no question that Stephanie is beautiful, nor is there any doubt that she is an exceptionally talented model. A survey of her successful career as a straight-size model amply testifies to this.

The following image of Miss Shiu on the runway gives a good sense of her look, with round facial features and pouty lips.

Allure magazine adorns her in a vibrant citrus yellow.

Much of her straight-size editorial work is, of course, modern, but her beauty shines though, particularly when her tresses are styled in intriguing ways, such as in this tear sheet, where her hair exhibits a luxuriant wildness.

In the next image, the hairstyle has something of an '80s vibe. Observe the colour coordination between the eye makeup and the scarf.

In this editorial from Vogue China, the sunlit fabric glows with its own radiance.

Stephanie's look brings out an abundance of creativity in makeup artists, such as in this striking cosmetics editorial.

The deep, luscious reds and killer talons in this image give Stephanie an almost sinister look, the dark, alluring beauty of an evil queen.

Though much of her straight-size work involves modern and urban looks, Stephanie's most beautiful straight-size editorial shows her in a natural setting, amid green grass and accompanied by a tawny horse.

The following image even betrays a hint of reverse-view curviness on the model's part, perhaps indicating the course of her future career as a plus-size model even while she was still working in the minus-size industry.

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Now, the following images all date, as far as we know, from the time of the model's re-entry into the fashion industry as a plus-size model. Is there any perceptible difference in her figure? Muse gives her measurements as 36-30-41. Were the fashion industry even remotely sane, this would still make Stephanie a straight-size model--just a far more attractive one than her peers.

Nevertheless, she is stunningly beautiful, and we hope to see her career thrive. One dearly wishes that she were fuller-figured, though. Or, if this is the size that suits her, that she were working for straight-size clients and that models such as Zeng Jing constituted the figure type of working plus-size models of East Asian descent.

In the following lovely headshot, Stephanie shows an attractive touch of softness in her limbs. Her vulnerable expression is extremely affecting.

This photograph, which finds the model in a lacy top, discloses a sensual hint of fullness at the waist.

Stephanie's all-time finest headshot is, however, the following picture, which shows off the dramatic beauty of her voluminous tresses.

The next photograph also indicates a touch of voluptuousness. The model's expressions are suitably alluring.

And just for good measure, here is a rare example of Stephanie adopting a casual smile for the camera. Very pretty as well, much as her more overtly seductive looks are her stock in trade.

Those who have enjoyed viewing Stephanie's portfolio will especially enjoy reading a brief article about the model at Vogue Italia, which also comes with an engaging video (posed below). The model's discussion of her family background is uniquely interesting.

We wish Miss Shiu every success as a plus-size model. But we also earnestly wish that she were fuller-figured; or, that she would be joined in the industry by many other models of East Asian descent with more generous physiques than her own--models size 16, 18, etc.

- Stephanie at Muse Models, NY