She was only a few hours old when her parents decided they didn’t want her. The reason?

The Unexpected Turn: From Orphan to Runway

By age 11, Xueli’s life took a turn no one could have predicted. A fashion designer in Hong Kong was organizing a campaign to highlight what he called “perfect imperfections.” He invited Xueli to participate, curious to showcase beauty beyond conventional standards.

For Xueli, the experience was surreal. She stepped onto a runway for the very first time, walking in front of bright lights, cameras, and audiences. For a girl once left at an orphanage door for being “too different,” this was nothing short of revolutionary.

“It was a fantastic experience,” she later told the BBC.

That first photoshoot opened doors. Soon after, a London-based photographer discovered her and became her mentor, ensuring she was not only photographed with respect but also protected in an industry notorious for exploitation.

Breaking Into Fashion’s Biggest Stage

The mentorship paid off. In June 2019, Xueli achieved what many models spend a lifetime chasing: she was featured in Vogue Italia.

“At the time, I didn’t even know what Vogue was,” she admitted with a laugh. “I didn’t understand why everyone was so excited.”

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