The Time 100 Fashion Influencer Everyone Is Overlooking

The Time 100, Time magazine’s annual list of the most influential people of the world, is out and everyone has noticed that Tom Ford is one of the few influencers from the world of fashion on the list. For US readers he may be the most recognizable, but considering the global nature of the article he’s not the only one.

Hung Huang, who’s profile even includes the subtitle “Fashion Mogul” (hint hint), was described by profile author Diane von Furstenberg as “one of the most formidable women I’ve ever met.” While two still isn’t a crowd, it’s a slightly better than a single representative for fashion.

49-year-old Hung (sometimes written as Hong Huang) is the daughter of one of Chairman Mao’s favorite translators, former wife of Palme d’Or winning Chinese director Chen Kaige, but most important a fashion media mogul described by CNN as China’s answer to Oprah. In other words, pretty important in a market that many Western fashion brands – okay, brands in general – are trying to establish a presence in.

The Business of Fashion published an interview with Hung in January where she selected her top 5 Chinese fashion talents, and given her oft mentioned understanding of the US market, it’s safe to say Hung and her iLook magazine are well positioned to at the very least be the Anna Wintour of China.

Many businesses who want to enter China find that to legally comply with government regulations partnerships with Chinese companies or individuals is a necessity. Considering the number of brands who want to grow their presence in China, we’d say Hung is a pretty good selection for one of the world’s most influential people. Even if she’s not recognizable enough to make used cars sexy. {the Cut}