Vogue China

History

Under Angelica Cheung (2005–2020)

Vogue China became the sixteenth edition of Vogue when its first issue was released for September 2005; its debut had been in the works for over two years. The magazine's first cover featured Australian model Gemma Ward alongside Chinese models Du Juan (杜鹃), Wang Wenqin (王雯琴), Tong Chenjie (佟晨洁), Liu Dan (刘丹), and Ni Mingxi (倪明曦). Its initial first printing of 300,000 copies sold out, requiring a second printing to be made.

Editor-in-chief Angelica Cheung (张宇) had a journalistic background and had worked for multiple newspapers and magazines in Hong Kong such as Marie Claire and she was previously the editorial director of Chinese Elle.

In 2016 a spin-off of Vogue China called Vogue Me was launched. The magazine was aimed at the millennial audience. The magazine ceased publication 2021 when its successor Vogue+ was launched, aimed at Gen Z.

Under Margaret Zhang (2021–2024)

Australian-born digital influencer Margaret Zhang became the editor-in-chief of Vogue China in February 2021, replacing Angelica Cheung who had been the editor-in-chief since the magazine's launch in 2005. Zhang was appointed to the role of editor-in-chief at the age of 27, making her the youngest EIC in Vogue history.

In Autumn of 2021, Vogue China launched a new bi-monthly edition titled Vogue Plus (+). The edition targets Gen Z audiences and is run by Lily Chou. The first cover of Vogue+, featured Timothée Chalamet, both as its cover model and guest editor, and discussed Chalamet's performance in Dune.

In February 2024, it was announced that Zhang would leave Vogue China when her contract ends in March and the June issue would be the final issue under her direction. Condé Nast began an extensive search for a new editor-in-chief. In July 2024, it was announced that Rocco Liu of GQ China would be in charge of the editorial direction of the Vogue China brand across all platforms with immediate effect.

Advertising and profit

Many advertisers are competing for space in Chinese publications. "Advertisers don't pay attention to large distribution, rather they prefer a safe environment for their advertisement," says Hung, the publisher of the independent fashion magazine. It is reported that "fashion labels are putting even more money into advertising in China than in the States." Vogue magazine is already an internationally well-known publication, which makes advertisers feel safe placing their advertisements in their magazines. There is a large competition to get advertisements in magazines. "When Vogue came and took away some of the others' advertising income, Trends Media Group, who publishes Harper's Bazaar and Cosmopolitan, reported Vogue for a "minor regulatory technicality," which forced Vogue to move its whole editorial staff from Shanghai to Beijing." Magazines fight each other over advertisers because they are a large source of profit. However, since there is no third party auditing system in China, it is unclear whether high profile magazines such as Vogue are profitable because of their distribution sales or the advertisements that they feature. "In a fair market environment, our niche distribution will not seem so distant from the bloated distribution figures of the giants," said Hung, a publisher of the independent fashion magazine iLook.

Editions

• Men's Vogue (from 2008 to 2012)
• Vogue Me (from 2016 to 2021)
• Vogue Film (since 2017)
• Vogue+ (since 2021)
• Vogue Beauty Paper (since 2021)
• Vogue Man (since 2025)
• Vogue Collections (closed)
• Vogue Bridal (closed)

References

References

1. "Angelica Cheung: founding editor of Vogue China to leave after 15 years". [[The Guardian]].
2. "Vogue China editor Angelica Cheung is no devil in disguise but she is one of the most powerful people in fashion".
3. "Angelica Cheung: founding editor of Vogue China to leave after 15 years".
4. (2014-12-31). "MARIO TESTINO BTS SHOOTING THE ENTIRE 100TH VOGUE CHINA ISSUE (in the video: MAKING OF: VOGUE CHINA - SPECIAL EDITION - MARIO TESTINO'S CHINA)".
5. "Despite Mounting Censorship Concerns, China is Seeing a Rise in Indie Mags".
6. [http://www.danwei.org/media_and_advertising/vogue_china_launches.php Vogue China launches].
7. "Angelica Cheung, Former Editor-in-Chief Vogue China".
8. "In Vogue in China." The Irish Times, n.d. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2012/0121/1224310483007.html {{Webarchive. link. (2012-03-11 .)
9. US, FashionNetwork com. "Vogue China unveils Vogue Me".
10. Chung, Amy. (2016-03-18). "Vogue China Unveils First Cover of Vogue Me".
11. (25 February 2021). "Margaret Zhang Is the New Editor in Chief of Vogue China". Vogue.
12. "Margaret Zhang, Editor-in-Chief, Vogue China". Condé Nast.
13. (25 February 2021). "Vogue China Launches Gen-Z Friendly Supplement". Business of Fashion.
14. (2023-11-30). "Vogue's Forces of Fashion Conference Decamps to Shanghai for the First Time".
15. "VOGUE Plus (+) Might Be Vogue's Next Best".
16. "Editor of Vogue China to leave in latest senior Condé Nast exit".
17. (24 February 2024). "Margaret Zhang is Leaving 'Vogue' China After 3 Years [UPDATED]".
18. Zhang, Tianwei. (2024-02-23). "Influencer-turned-editor Margaret Zhang to Exit Vogue China".
19. Hu, Tianwei Zhang, Denni. (2024-07-12). "EXCLUSIVE: Rocco Liu of GQ China Named Vogue China Editorial Director".
20. "Can China Save Fashion Magazines?". Fashionista, n.d..