Margaret Zhang, former Editor-in-Chief of Vogue China, creative director, photographer, stylist, writer, and one of Australia’s most influential multi-hyphenate creatives, is now taking on a new role as ambassador for Clinique’s #FaceForward campaign. The initiative encourages women to set goals, make promises to themselves, and commit to being their most authentic selves.
“The result is a raw, honest, and touching experience,” Margaret says. “When was the last time you were truly honest with yourself and wrote down a list of goals?”
We caught up with Margaret to talk skincare, fitness, blogging, and her secrets to glowing confidence.
Why is skincare important to you?
“I grew up training as a ballet dancer and the makeup you had to wear was so thick. Skincare was really important to me then because if I didn’t look after it, I would have terrible skin.
Skin is confidence. If you look good without makeup, makeup only enhances it — it shouldn’t be about covering flaws. Skincare is your baseline.
It’s also about a holistic lifestyle — exercise, diet, stress. I know when I’m super under pressure, like during exams, my skin just breaks out.”
What’s your biggest beauty mistake?
“Not doing eye makeup for the Asian eye was a mistake. A lot of Asian girls, and some makeup artists unfamiliar with Asian facial structure, don’t account for how our eyelid shape differs. Eyeshadow doesn’t always work unless it’s shaded properly to open the eye. Smokey eyes are tough!”
What’s your secret to a glowing complexion?
“A balanced diet is key — protein and greens. Drinking lots of water — much more than the recommended 8 glasses. I aim for almost 3 litres a day, especially if I exercise.”
How do you stay so fit?
“I do ballet occasionally, but it blends well with reformer pilates. When I’m overseas, I go for runs or follow short online workouts like Blogilates by Cassey — her 10-minute videos are brilliant. You can use body weight or household items, like water bottles, for resistance.”
When did blogging change your life?
“At 17, I was outside a friend’s birthday dinner when someone ran up and said, ‘Margaret!? I read your blog, it’s amazing!’ That moment made me realise I had an international audience. Now, when I travel, it feels like having a little piece of home in every city. Blogging went from a hobby to a career-defining moment.”
Out of photography, styling, writing, and modelling, which is your favourite?
“It’s hard to pick — they feed into each other. I love directing and working with brands to put my spin on a brief. Nothing happens in isolation. Diversifying your skills is crucial because the creative space keeps evolving.”
Margaret Zhang: Redefining Fashion, Media, and Creativity
Margaret Zhang, born in Australia in 1993 to Chinese immigrant parents, has become one of the most influential voices in global fashion and media. From a young age, she blended her classical training in ballet and piano with a keen visual sensibility, which would later shape her distinctive approach to fashion imagery. At 16, she launched her blog Shine by Three, marking the start of a multifaceted creative journey.
Zhang’s career spans photography, styling, filmmaking, writing, and creative direction. She co‑founded the consultancy BACKGROUND, which bridges Western and Chinese luxury and lifestyle brands, demonstrating her unique ability to navigate cross‑cultural creative landscapes. Recognized by Forbes Asia as one of the “30 Under 30,” she has also been listed in the Business of Fashion BoF 500 and named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
In 2021, at just 27, Zhang was appointed Editor‑in‑Chief of Vogue China, becoming the youngest EIC across all Vogue editions. Her tenure was marked by a bold digital-first vision, a commitment to diversity and sustainability, and an expansion of multimedia storytelling that resonated with younger, globally connected audiences. She stepped down in 2024, leaving a legacy of innovation and bridging East-West cultural dialogue in fashion publishing.
Today, Zhang continues to influence the creative world as a filmmaker, consultant, and multidisciplinary innovator. Her trajectory — from blogger to global fashion leader — offers an inspiring model of versatility, vision, and cultural fluency, particularly for women forging careers across media, fashion, and creative industries.
