Just over a year ago, the Chinese-born Zhang Lei was a PhD candidate researching Southeast Asian working-class literature at a university here when she was unexpectedly approached by and signed to Now Models Management. Now the 30-year-old has become a doctor (she graduated a few months ago) as well as one of our industry’s most well-loved editorial faces having graced the pages of nearly every magazine here – including not one, but two covers of FEMALE (below).
The chameleonic Zhang Lei graced the covers of FEMALE's April 2022 Humans Of Fashion edition (left) and, more recently, for the Oct 2022 Reality Edition (right).
Ahead of her plans to visit home and then move to Europe to pursue a postdoc this month, we got her to lend her androgynous beauty and indie cool to the prettiest, slinkiest and most effortless dresses to wear this festive season.
Sequinned chiffon shirt dress with embellished buttons, Chanel. Faux fur leg warmers (worn throughout), stylist’s own
Viscose jersey dress, Bottega Veneta. Celine By Hedi Slimane calfskin boots, Celine
Viscose knit dress, and Prada Cloudburst Thunder technical fabric and rubber sneakers, Prada
Viscose-blend gown with sequins, Givenchy
Recycled polyester tulle dress, & Other Stories
Cotton dress and Empriente calfskin riding boots, Dior
Viscose dress, Prada
& Other Stories A.W.A.K.E Mode acetate-blend dress, & Other Stories
Stretch jersey gown, Miu Miu
Photography Stefan Khoo Photography Assistant Alif Styling Damian Huang Styling Assistant Danessa Tong Hair Sean Ang Makeup Keith Bryant Lee, using Fenty Beauty Model Zhang Lei/Now Model Management
This article is adapted from a story that first appeared in the Dec 2022 Love Edition of FEMALE