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5 Minutes With Margaret Zhang

You're styling the Han show today. Talk us through how the collaboration came about?
(Creative director) Khim Hang contacted me while I was overseas and I thought it was a great idea. I like to come at each fashion week from a different angle.

I’m excited to see how how the show goes and how people respond. It’s nice that I get to contribute but that it’s all about Khim. He has his moment and I can hear how people respond through the grapevine. That’s what I like doing, because people act a different way when they know you’re behind something. I’d like to do more of that.

You’re a writer, stylist, photographer, buyer and law student – how do you do it all?
I’m deliriously tired today (laughs). I’ve had two hours sleep per night so far!

I’m never not doing something – I think I would go crazy if that were the case. Also, I don’t have a television in my house, so I think that helps. I haven’t had one since I was a child, and even then, it was an old black and white we hardly turned on.

I also don’t drink coffee, so I feel like I don’t have any lows – I don’t hit a wall at all during the day. And it sounds cliché, but I always exercise.

Obviously your social life suffers a bit too, but most people understand.

I’m actually kind of worried that I’m finishing law school at the end of the year. Everyone is like, what are you going to do?! I’m going to have so much spare time – I can see myself going into ultra-work mode!

How do you dealing with flying so often?
I get really antsy on planes because I read this article ages ago about what flying does to your organs and your brain – and it really freaked me out! I was like, 'I need to get off'! I basically just try and sleep and study while I’m flying.

I guess it’s a good break...
I have tried wifi on a plane before though! My boyfriend was like, ‘you’re an idiot’ - it cost an arm and a leg for half a gigabyte. But it was worth it to instagram at 36,000 feet (laughs).

What’s been the highlight of your week so far?
I think my photography exhibit has been the highlight so far. It was such a labour of love. I don’t want to take it down! It will be here for the weekend though, so my parents will come and see it. They’re so excited. They think I own a shop though (laughs). They don’t know what I do. So they think I’m selling my photos. They get really confused when I do exhibitions!

Favourite show of the week so far?
Ellery was amazing – Gemma Ward and Emma Balfour in the one show was just sensational. The casting was great.

Toni Maticevski this afternoon was hilariously good. I loved the little nuances he added to the collection, like the gold suitcase and the tablets, which were live streaming the show as the models walked down the runway. Only Toni could pull that off.

What’s been the biggest pinch-me moment of your career?
At Chanel shows I shoot from the pit because I get such a great view. I’ve done it twice now and it’s just so surreal. You’re in this bubble, and you’re looking out at everyone who’s anyone in the fashion world. And I’m so removed from it because of my position in the pit, but at the same time I don’t fit in there either, because I’m crawling around in my high heels (laughs).

I feel displaced from both, but I get this really unique view-point and it feels like a completely different world. It’s really incredible.

What’s the plan after fashion week?
I have two more assignments due, so I have to do them – and I’m shooting a campaign on Friday. I’m working on some projects coming up and of course uploading more stuff to my site. I’m holding out till exams later this year, so hopefully by November I’ll be a free woman!

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