Sherry Ramsay Shi On Navigating The Fashion Scene As An Asian Model And Her Personal Style

Sherry Ramsay Shi was just 20 years old when she walked 39 shows for Fall/Winter 2022—the highest walked by any model during that particular season. Now at 22 years of age, Shi is walking for plenty of designer brands, including the likes of Dior, Versace, and Moschino.

Clearly, Shi is no newbie to the fashion scene, having made her industry debut at New York Fashion Week for Alexander Wang’s spring 2019 fashion show. Since then, Shi, originally from Houston, Texas, has made the move to New York where she is currently based. 

In a series of images shot in Paris, our June 2024 cover model brings out whimsical and fairytale-like charms, clad in pieces from the Chanel 2023/24 Métiers d’Art collection with an ‘80s twist. 

Related article: Chanel’s Métiers d’Art 2024 Collection Was A Celebration Of Craft, Culture And The Best Of Manchester

Ahead, the Chinese American model tells us all about how she made her foray into modelling, how it’s like navigating the fashion scene as an Asian model, and more.

How did you get into modelling?

My older sister was a model before I was, and one day around the age of 10 during an agency visit with my family, one of the scouts noticed me and encouraged me to get my start. I modelled locally with the mother agency for a few years, but I didn’t take modelling seriously until around the age of 16 in 2018, after signing with my current (and most amazing!) agency IMG Worldwide. 

Did you always want to become a model?

I always knew even as a child that I wanted to do something related to people and performance art. I fell in love with modelling at a very young age and can remember only wanting to be a model after coming across model compilation videos on YouTube, and seeing supermodels bring art to life.  

Where are you currently based, and how long have you been based there? Why did you decide you wanted to be based there?

I’m currently living in New York City and have been based here for 6 years. I fell in love with the city as soon as I set foot on it for the first time with my family at 16. There’s an energy to New York that’s unlike any other, and this is the place where the seeds that were planted in my dreams as a kid have blossomed. It’s also very convenient to hop on a plane to another place when I’m here. 

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Which show has been your favourite?

It’s so difficult to choose a favourite show because I’m so grateful to have been able to walk the runways for brands I would always dream of doing! I’d say my first Versace show, and just every Versace show I’ve done is always such a treasured moment for me. I’ve watched Versace shows ever since I wanted to become a model. I remember playing the music from the shows on YouTube while practising my walk. Watching these incredible shows also highlighted the importance of a signature walk for me. 

What’s one memorable moment you have had in your career?

Getting ranked as one of the top 50 models in the entire world by Models.com has been one of the most treasured moments in my career. I couldn’t help but shed tears when I shared the news with my parents; being able to share such an achievement with the people who are the reason why I continue to persevere is just unforgettable. It is from the depths of my heart when I say I couldn’t be more thankful to be able to do what I do with the support from my loved ones.

What was your first ‘I made it’ moment? 

Getting the American Vogue September cover in 2021 was definitely the first true “Wow, we made it” moment for me. I don’t think words will ever be able to do justice to how truly grateful I am to have had the opportunity to be part of such a remarkably major experience. It’s cherished times like these that I’m reminded of my love for my job, and how fortunate I am to have been blessed with friends and family who always put a smile on my face. A smile that has a backstory filled with pursuing indestructible joy that can be found no matter the circumstances, with the help of my loved ones. A smile that I had the honour and privilege to share on this cover. 

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Your parents are Chinese immigrants. How did that shape your outlook on life and your career?

I have been blessed with the most supportive parents. Being first-generation immigrants, they raised me to adopt their incredibly dedicated work ethic and apply it to my modelling career. They are my rocks who have laid the foundation for who I am as a person today, and I can always look to them as a source of strength and inspiration. 

What has it been like being an Asian model on the global stage? Were there any challenges or opportunities that came your way because of it?

It has been encouraging to witness more Asian models getting representation in the fashion industry, but we still make up a smaller subset of the industry. Sometimes this becomes really apparent when makeup artists get our shades wrong because some still aren’t very familiar with undertones or facial features specific to Asian models. At shows, I often find myself looking for a makeup artist who’s familiar with working with Asian faces.

How would you describe your style? What are your wardrobe essentials?

I think my style is a mix of everything. Sometimes I like to keep it simple with a touch of elegance, and other days I go with a full-on skater fit. I’d say the essentials in my closet are definitely my dad’s blazers and a variation of jeans (high-rise, low-rise, baggy, etc.).  

Outside of modelling, what are your interests?

Outside of modelling, I really enjoy writing, singing, drawing my favourite anime characters, and serving the community with my church. I think it is of utmost importance to find varied interests outside of modelling, because being a model shouldn’t be the only thing that defines you. Modelling is a piece of who I am, but I also have a tree of passions.  

Are you currently pursuing an MBA at Columbia University? Do you already have a degree? What did you major in, where and when?

My sister is actually the one pursuing an MBA at Columbia University. I actually graduated this year and obtained my Bachelor of Science with a major in marketing from a full online college program. Education is highly valued in my family; my dad credits his excellent performance in school to being the reason he was able to immigrate to America. He encouraged me to work hard at getting a quality education, and taught me that growth comes from the experiences you go through in life. 

Who or what inspires you the most?

This is a tough one because I have a handful of names who have inspired me in such different ways. I’d say generally my biggest inspiration would be Cindy Crawford. Not only does she have such a breathtaking body of work, she is someone (besides my mother and sister) who comes to mind when I think about beauty and brains. Watching the way she carries herself in conversations and interviews was the start to my understanding of how important it is to be wise about the way you present yourself. 

What are your future goals?

The future includes a lot of hard work in modelling and continuing to pursue my dreams, hopefully with a family on top of that while being involved in leadership, serving, and volunteering activities with my church.

Editor-in-Chief: Kenneth Goh
Photographer: Claire Rothstein
Stylist: Windy Aulia
Fashion: Chanel
Model: Sherry Ramsay Shi / IMG Models
Makeup: Lloyd Simmons
Hair: Anne Sophie Begtrup
Manicure: Huberte Cesarion
Director of Photography: Paul McLean
Producer: Jacqueline Pusch / JPPS Creative Productions
Production Assistant: John Fanning
Photographer’s Assistants: Sandra Seaton, Matheus Agudelo
Stylist’s Assistant: Andrew Gutrov