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Photographer, writer, producer, stylist – these are just a few of the nouns Australian creative phenomenon Margaret Zhang could add to her business card, should she have need to print one. Now the 24-year-old, who shot GRAZIA’s inaugural print edition cover of supermodel Maria Borges earlier this year, can add motion film director to her list of accomplishments too.
As an on-the-rise star in the movie creative field, Zhang was invited to the recent Venice Film Festival as a guest of luxury watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has sponsored the celebrity-studded event for over 12 years.
Widely considered the best artistic film festival in the world, the highlight of the festival is the awarding of its top prize, The Golden Lion, which this year went to The Shape of Water by Pan’s Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro.
Zhang used her spare time in Venice to scout for film locations
As well as attending screenings and red carpet soirees as a guest, Zhang took advantage of the romantic, picturesque Venetian setting to work on a new motion piece for Jaeger-LeCoultre, which has a close affinity with the world of film and heavily supports the preservation of film as an art-form and the people who create it. (Watch this space for more details on the finished product, which is currently shrouded in a cloak of secrecy.)
This year, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrates the film festival with three new Rendez-Vous Sonatina watches that express three different stages of romantic feelings: seduction, romance and love (limited edition). Appropriately, Zhang had access to all three for her festival wardrobe.
So given GRAZIA’s modus operandi is fashionable living, we have to ask: what does an up-and-coming director who just happens to also be a global style icon wear to her first Venice Film Festival visit? This photo diary snapshot of her trip along with captions shares the thought behind every stunning look.
See Margaret Zhang’s 74th Venice Film Festival Photo Diary below:
The same day: scoping the Sucola Grande di San Rocco and its exceptional portfolio of Tintoretto works as a location for the following day’s film shoot
Red carpet planning: Zhang styles both her own red carpet outfits and looks for filming in her San Clemente Palace hotel room
Healthy cupcakes on the canal: a low-key Venice breakfast on the go
Location, location: the Gelati-coloured buildings along the canals are pure magic
Power shoulders: Zhang on set to shoot her forth-coming motion piece, wearing Petar Petrov suit, Adornmonde earrings and Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon watch
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rendez-Vous moon medium in Pink Gold, $32,300. SHOP IN STORE
“I’m quitting my day job for gondolier-ing,” says Zhang, who wears a Shushu/Tong top, 3.1 Phillip Lim trousers, Stella Luna shoes and Jaeger-LeCoultre watch
Framing up: on location wearing Petrov dress and Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon watch
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rendez-Vous Moon Medium in Stainless Steel, $20,900. SHOP IN STORE
Zhang outside the Hotel Excelsior before a red carpet moment wearing Alessandra Rich dress and belt, vintage Fendi sunglasses, Charlotte Olympia shoes and Jaeger-LeCoultre watch
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rendez-Vous Night & Day Medium in yellow gold, $21,500. SHOP IN STORE
The arrival: at the premiere of Martin McDonagh’s film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Zhang post film, but pre local pasta dinner
Picturesque: sunset from Zhang’s hotel San Clemente Palace before that night’s Jaeger-LeCoultre Gala dinner held in the Arsenal of Venice
Red carpet: at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Gala Dinner wearing Molly Goddard dress, Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous watch, Nicholas Kirkwood shoes and Brie Leon earrings with Kailis Pearl. During the evening, Catherine Deneuve was honoured for her unparalleled contribution to the art of filmmaking. Long-time friend of Jaeger-LeCoultre, actress Diane Kruger, presented the award
Red carpet ready again: sunset outside Hotel Excelsior wearing Beaufille dress, Adornmonde earrings and Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon watch
Jaeger-LeCoultre, Q3533490 Rendez-Vous Moon in White Gold, $59,500. SHOP IN STORE
Zhang at the premiere of Victoria & Abdul by Steven Frear, who was honoured with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award
All images: courtesy Margaret Zhang
