Leslie Zhang
/ Anne Enke
Featured
China’s Elephant Protector Actor Yang Zi Helped Cut in Half China’s Ivory Consumption Since 2018
Vogue Hong Kong [IG] features actor Yang Zi, styled by Lucia Liu for the fashion story ‘In Bloom Yang Zi’, lensed by Leslie Zhang.
As one of the most prominent young actors of her generation, Vogue Hong Kong’s January 2026 cover star Yang Zi has been a WildAid ambassador since 2019. She lent her voice to WildAid's elephant program by starring in ‘Be Their Role Model’ campaign which asks parents to use their actions to set good examples for the next generation by not consuming ivory and other wildlife products.
China has been successful — as promised to concerned environmentalists and elephant lovers worldwide — in cutting in half the consumption of new ivory in a sequence of trade bans that took effect by the end of 2017.
Today Harper’s Bazaar China October 2025 issue delivers another spectacular fashion story, lensed by Leslie Zhang [IG] in Hulun Buir, Inner Mongolia, China. Jihan Diao styles top model He Cong, who arrived on hot wheels to show us around./ Makeup by Clive Xiong; hair by Youhua Xu
Shanghai-based photographer Leslie Chang [IG] captures Peng Chang as she becomes part of the still life in this elegant beauty story for Vogue China [IG] June 2025, styled by Alvin Yu.
China's Cinema Wonder Woman Jia Ling Covers Vogue China January 2025
In June 2024, Prada named Chinese director, actor and comedian Jia Ling, age 42, as its new brand ambassador for women. Jia had become the biggest woman director at the box office in Chinese history with her film ‘Hi Mom’.
Today, Jia Ling covers Vogue China’s [IG] January 2025 issue, lensed by Leslie Zhang [IG] with styling by fashion director Vivienne Sun.
In an astounding factoid, both WWD and Prada reported that this uber-talent lost more than 100 pounds for ‘YOLO’.
Vogue China’s August 2024 fashion story ‘On Your Mark’ features supermodel Xiao Wen Ju, who celebrates fitness and the upcoming Olympics in her editorial commentary. Photographer Leslie Zhang [IG] captures the cover story styled by Vivienne Sun with creative direction by Matt Mcdonald.
Model Xiaowen Ju is styled by Audrey Hu, in Asian designers like Bad Binch TongTong, Ming Ma and Samuel Gui Yang in Vogue Singapore’s June 2024 cover story. The top model is lensed by Leslie Zhang [IG] in an issue that also includes an inaugural watches and jewellery supplement also lead by Xiaowen.
Zhang’s photography honors Wong Kar-wai’s “evocative cinematography”. See all the designer credits and read more about the issue at Vogue Singapore online.
Prada’s new advertising campaign for the 2024 Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Dragon. Photographer Leslie Zhang [IG] captures the images at the Prada-restored Rong Zhai cultural center in Shanghai.
The 2024 Lunar New Year campaign stars supermodel and actor Du Juan and Zhao Lei, the face of Yang Fudong’s film ‘First Spring’, currently on show at the Pradasphere II exhibition in Shanghai.
Power of the Dragon
According to ancient Chinese mythology the dragon is closely linked to the creation and origin of the Chinese nation.
One prominent myth tells the story of the Dragon Kings, who were powerful and influential deities in Chinese mythology. According to this myth, the Dragon Kings were responsible for controlling the waters, including rivers, seas, and rainfall, and were revered as protectors of the land.
Rising powerhouse-potential model Yilan Hua delivers a striking beauty story ‘Melodrama’, lensed by Leslie Zhang [IG] for Vogue China December 2023. Makeup artist Valentina Li creates beautiful makeup artistry with hair by Youhua Xu.
The elegant and beautiful model Sora Choi covers Wallpaper China’s October 2023 The Design Issue. Wallpaper.com is also devoted to promoting China art, architecture and travel.
The message of ‘Glow and Grace’ is very appropriate for the botanical fashion story styled by Jeff Lee in images by Shanghai-based Leslie Zhang [IG]. / Hair by Lee Hyun Woo; set design by Jeon Minkyu
Part 1 The Power of Sport on Fashion: Vogue China September 2023 with He Cong by Leslie Zhang - 1
Beloved Chinese supermodel He Cong covers Vogue China’s September 2023 issue, lensed by Shanghai-based fashion photographer Leslie Zhang [IG]. Vivienne Sun styles the photoshoot with creative direction by Matt McDonald.
Part 2 The Power of Sport on Fashion: Vogue China September 2023 with He Cong by Leslie Zhang - 2
Anne has written at length about this excellent fashion story and the many topics it touches in Part One of the Vogue China September 2023 fashion story. They include:
Fashion and Sport
Hangzhou and the Silk Roads
Fashion and Sport: Nike, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren
Brands, Self and Community
The Savvy Margaret Zang, EIC Vogue China
There’s an A-team on this new summer 2023 campaign including art directors Kevin Tekinel and Charles Levai, director Tin Seoi and photographer Leslie Zhang [IG], whose photography we love. Taiwanese actor Wen Qi and Chinese singer Daniel Zhou star are the lovebirds.
AOC disagrees with more than one fashion writer who has seen this new Gucci ‘An Ode to Love’ campaign and responded with words of praise that storytelling is back at Gucci. Whew!
This new campaign is pure and innocent — which is not how Alessandro Michele served it up. He took you into the setting to experience the imagery yourself, not as an observer.
In my case, he sometimes admonished me [metaphorically], because I wasn’t in the mood to be part of the joke. Yet I chuckled when he grabbed me by the arm, saying “Would you take a damn break, Anne, and let your imagination run wild. Come and play with us.”
Leslie Zhang [IG], a talented, visionary and increasingly renowned photographer based in Shanghai, has gained international recognition for his unique and romantic portrayal of Chinese culture.
Zhang captures top model Vivienne Rohner, a Chanel darling, on two print covers for Vogue Hong Kong’s May 2023 issue dedicated to ‘Allure of the lens’. Rohner walked for Chanel back in 2015, when Karl Lagerfeld was alive. But her close association with the brand comes through her relationship with the current creative director Virginie Viard.
Photographer Zhang’s deep appreciation for Chinese culture and aesthetics showcases a poetic appreciation for Chinese culture and aesthetics, evidenced in the Vogue Hong Kong images. AI is again at work with Chad Nelson, who also worked on the Vogue Italia May issue with Carlijn Jacobs and Bella Hadid.
The May 2023 issue of Vogue Hong Kong has three print covers and three digital covers, all shot by Leslie Zhang [IG].
Vivienne Rohner takes the three print covers, wearing Chanel styled by Sean Kunjambu. Digital covers go to Amy Lo, Aokab and Natalie Hsu with same stylist.
Marie Claire China’s April 2023 issue turns to the world of art for inspiration in styling its cover story. Model He Cong poses as the muse channeling world-reknown artworks.
Shanghai-based photographer Leslie Zhang [IG] captures He Cong in an exceptional effort by Marie Claire China’s entire creative team to reach for the high bar. It’s inspiring to observe./ Hair by Zhao Wenzhi; makeup by Yang Kaichun
Model Estelle Chen is styled by Jeff Lee in ‘Still Waters Run Deep’. Shanghai-based photographer Leslie Zhang captures the fashion story for Harper’s Bazaar UK May 2022.
Vogue China describes their November issue cover, labeling supermodel Liu Wen as a “storm-chaser — transfixed by the wild beauty of nature at its most powerful and terrifying; abandoning tranquil saline lakes in pursuit of the inky eye of a raging coldfront brewing over Qinghai’s plains and towering plateaus. “
Audrey Hu styles Liu Wen in images by Leslie Zhang [IG] . / Hair by Nate Peng and Bon Zhang; makeup by Yooyo Keong Ming
Leslie Zhang creates a vivid impression of ‘Diverse Beauty’, in an all-Valentino extravaganza styled by Yuhang Yao. Models include Du Juan, He Cong, Lina Zhang, Pan Haowen and Tang He center stage for the February 2020 issue of Vogue China. / Hair by Bon Fan Zhang; makeup by Yooyo Keong Ming
