Margaret Zhang to exit Vogue China

Margaret Zhang has left ​her role as editor-in-chief of Vogue China, the latest senior departure from U.S. publishing and media group, Condé Nast.

Appointed to the top spot at Vogue China in 2021 at just 27 years old, ​the Chinese-Australian fashion influencer was the youngest person to hold the position at any of the magazine’s international editions.

Having never edited a publication in her career before Vogue China, the Sydney-born Zhang’s appointment at the fashion magazine was considered an important strategic move to target a younger, more digitally native audience in China.

Zhang co-founded global consultancy company Background, where she principally works with brands seeking to enter the Chinese market, and in 2016, she produced two digital covers for the launch issue of youth-focused Vogue Me China and appeared on both herself. With more than 2 million followers on Instagram, she has also worked as a creative director, photographer, stylist, writer, model and even film director.

However, during her time at Vogue China, Zhang was attacked on social media in China for being born in Australia, despite both her parents being ethnic Chinese, according to multiple reports.

She will leave the Condé Nast after her contract ends next month, sources told the Financial Times.

Zhang’s departure is the latest senior executive to leave Vogue and Condé Nast over the past year. Vogue UK will no longer have an editor-in-chief once Edward Enninful leaves next month, with his replacement, Chioma Nnadi, named head of editorial content, reporting to Vogue global editorial director Anna Wintour in New York.