Hung Huang is a publisher, author and businesswoman. The Ningbo native is the editor-in-chief of fashion magazine Open Page (formerly known as iLook) and the founder of Taikoo Li North’s Brand New China (BNC), a boutique showcasing young Chinese fashion designers. Named one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time in 2011, Hung has more than 11 million followers on Weibo and will feature as a guest speaker at NEU ’17 festival.
How has China’s fashion industry evolved since you took over as editor-in-chief at Open Page?
When I joined in 1998, fashion was not ‘fashionable’ then. People just wanted a good business suit.
And how has the magazine adapted over the years to stay relevant?
The biggest adaption we made was in 2006, when we decided to focus on local Chinese designers. And the second big change was 2015. We changed our name to Open Page, and [decreased the publishing] frequency to four times a year.
Describe the average millennial Chinese fashion consumer.
Brand-conscious yet brand-free; choosy but not stingy; global with a local focus; lots of lip service to environmental protection; always curious about [what’s] new.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
I am working on a project I call ‘MADE IN CHINA 2.0.’ I want to find Chinese manufacturers who are leading the world in the way they make things: high quality with high morality, focusing on protection of the environment and offering the best and safest products to consumers. The first book will be out in September this year.
You seem super busy. How do you like to spend your downtime?
I am not that busy – I think I have mastered the art of looking very busy. In reality, I juggle a lot of things, but downtime is my favorite time. I actually just like to stay home and hang around the house.
How do you feel about being called “China’s answer to Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour”?
Wow! It is way, way, way exaggerated. I am neither. I am an editor who once had my own TV talk show. I respect both Oprah and Anna, but I don’t want to be them, and certainly not both of them at the same time. Rich and famous – it’s not my thing.
You’ve worn a lot of hats throughout your career (publisher, author, actress, TV host) – is there one in particular you felt fit the best?
Author, so ask me to write a column for you. [Smiles.]
Describe your own sense of style and ideal outfit.
I am overweight, so I am difficult to dress. I find Chinese-style clothing to be kinder to my body-type. I have a lot of Chinese bias-cut tops I bought from Norlha, a Tibetan yak wool manufacturer. I also like the long robe, which Chinese men used to wear. I wear them like a dress with leggings. I believe in dressing for the occasion, so on an average day I am all cotton or linen. For events I wear silk and brocade. But style-wise, I try to stay ‘Chinese.’ Downtime is sweat pants and yoga outfits.
What will you be talking about as a guest speaker at NEU ’17?
I think I will be talking about ‘MADE IN CHINA 2.0’ – or I hope to be able to talk about it. It’s very exciting to see Chinese leading the way to better practices in manufacturing. Who’d have thought that would happen, right?
Follow Hung’s Weibo via www.weibo.com/honghuang
NEU '17, Aug 25-26; for more information visit www.neutechchina.com
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