Margaret Zhang joins ARIA Innovator 2026

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is pleased to announce filmmaker, creative director and producer Margaret Zhang will join ARIA Innovator 2026 on Tuesday, 24 March at the NSW State Library.

One of the most dynamic creative leaders of her generation – a Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 honouree, World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and the youngest editor-in-chief in Vogue’s 130-year history – Zhang’s career spans filmmaking, editorial leadership and global creative direction across fashion, film and media.

Her keynote conversation will explore creative leadership across industries, the lessons she has drawn from working between cultures and disciplines, and what the music industry can learn from the evolving ecosystems of fashion, film and digital communities.

Today, Zhang’s work spans filmmaking, producing and cultural strategy, developing original film and television projects while advising artists and global brands on culture-driven storytelling and community building through The Mì-Mì Project and Mì-Mì Labs, the platforms she founded to support the development of new creative IP and female-driven storytelling across film and media.

Zhang will appear in conversation with award-winning music journalist and broadcaster Sosefina Fuamoli.

Zhang completes a lineup that includes Meng Ru Kuok (Caldecott Music Group, NME, BandLab Technologies), Jon Dworkin (Executive Vice President, Digital Strategy, Universal Music Group), Cathy Hackl (tech and gaming executive), Dom Price (work futurist), and The Betoota Advocate’s Errol Parker and Clancy Overell, with award-winning broadcast journalist Narelda Jacobs OAM also steering conversations across the day.

Born in Australia to Chinese immigrant parents, Zhang launched her influential website Shine by Three at 16 and graduated with degrees in commerce and law from the University of Sydney. Her career has collaborated with and advised global brands including Chanel and Fendi, and in 2016 she co-founded Background, a consultancy bridging Western and Chinese cultures for luxury and lifestyle brands.

During her tenure leading Vogue China, Zhang championed a community-first and video-driven editorial vision and launched the Vogue Film Initiative, producing 17 short films by emerging Chinese female filmmakers.

Sosefina Fuamoli is one of Australia’s most respected voices in music media, with writing credits in Rolling Stone Australia/NZ, NME, The Australian and Time Out. She hosts On The Record for ABC Radio Australia, presents R&B/hip-hop program Window Seat on Melbourne’s 3RRR FM, and is a music correspondent for ABC TV’s News Breakfast. A two-time winner of the National Live Music Award for Live Music Journalist, Fuamoli received the Emerging Talent award at the 2024 AIBs in London and was nominated for Music Journalist of the Year at the 2025 International Music Journalism Awards in Germany.

ARIA Innovator has been made possible by the NSW Government through Sound NSW.

Sosefina said: “I am a big believer in the power of collaboration between artists from different creative and cultural backgrounds. Margaret Zhang has blazed a powerful trail for herself in the realm of fashion and film. I look forward to learning more about how life’s experiences have informed her work and perspectives as a leader in her field.”

Tickets are on sale now, ARIA members receive $5 off with a member code.

For tickets and more information, visit https://events.humanitix.com/aria-innovator-conference-march-2026-yr4hvedq or the ARIA Innovator website at www.aria.com.au/innovator.

For more information, please contact:

Andrew Knowles

M: 0449 510 357

E: andrew@skmediagroup.com.au