Huishan Zhang Asks Women Around The World What They’ve Learnt In 2020 To Celebrate His New Collection

**What lessons did you learn during lockdown?**When life was constantly busy with work, travel, and social engagements, it was so easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. I want to live a life of abundance and it is easy to lose track and to think that means more money, work, travel, and possessions. It really means more love, laughter, time with family and friends, creativity, cooking, dancing, listening to music and being in nature.**What have you learnt about yourself this year?**For me personally, 2020 has been a call to action on the issues of racial justice and climate change. I think it was far too easy to tune out when life was fast-paced. We all have to take responsibility. I am committed to being a conscious and active citizen.

**What lessons did you learn during lockdown?**Lockdown has been, sadly, a new way of life for us all for over eight months. It has not been easy or joyful or lesson-giving time in many ways but - and most importantly - for the fact that I value my health more than ever. And I am aware of the risks of not taking this pandemic seriously. I have always taken very good care of myself with diet etc, but Covid has made me hyper aware of how serious one must be to stay safe at all times.**What do you miss most about normal life?**I miss the freedom of just going for a walk, of meeting friends or going anywhere for that matter and not having to suit up for any and all forays outside of the house.**What have you learned about yourself this year?**I've learned how much I value my independence and freedom. The ability to come and go easily. To travel and to be spontaneous in my life. I've realized that I've taken for granted what seemed so normal and easy. I also realize how extremely lucky I am to have my health and shelter and the means to navigate my life safely in these dire days. So many people are unfortunately struggling in ways that are unimaginable.

**What lessons did you learn during lockdown?**I have learned to surrender. Everyone was and is in the same boat. We all had to quarantine, we all lost business, we all felt isolated. But there's no point in stressing about those limitations. If we let the universe do its job, we will thrive. If we focus on the positive, if we look at the opportunities and possibilities, we can't be anything but grateful. And I think that is key. Gratitude and the rest will fall into place.**What do you miss most about normal life?**I miss eating out at restaurants - and flirting, lol!**What have you learned about yourself this year?**I have a strong drive to be involved in my community. Be it politics or charity, I want to participate. Especially since I've become a United States citizen.

**What lessons did you learn during lockdown?**I've really learned to appreciate being still for a moment, to take pleasure from simple things that before I have taken for granted. Although I have always been extremely grateful for my family, the go-go-go constant travel nature of our lives didn't always give us time to stop and treasure each other. I am grateful for the time I have had with my daughter while she has been doing home schooling during such formative years in her life. Our discussions at lunch and dinner together about the state of the world, following the election together, talking about human rights and Black Lives Matter and having the chance to really sit and talk and share rather than being distracted by the old way of life has been a blessing.**Why were you drawn to this outfit?**I chose this suit because it felt like something I would wear if I was running around in London maybe for lunch at the Wolesley or during Paris Fashion Week which is a far cry from my current wardrobe staying at home in the hills. I love the '60s sense of proportions and the patent details.

**What lessons have you learnt during lockdown?**I've learned that you do have time when you slow down. My life consists of juggling many different things with minimal help - my business and clients, projects, constant travel (almost every few days I was on a plane) for work and personal reasons, regularly being on location etc - and I do often feel pretty worn out. With such a drastic reduction in travel this year, I've felt a little more grounded and centred than usual - it's been a big lesson, as I hadn't realised quite how much pressure I'd been piling onto myself on a daily basis. It's given me a little more space and time to concentrate on the important things in life - my home life and doing much more charity work which is something I'd always wanted to focus more energy on but was never in one place long enough to do anything meaningful. I've also felt more grateful than ever. Even through the hardest times this year - I lost my Grandfather who was on a trip in the Philippines quite suddenly and it's definitely been the hardest loss of my life - I've still felt grateful in a way that I haven't before and have looked to this gratitude to get me through the harder times. **Why were you drawn to this outfit?**I was first drawn to magazines by a 2004 edition of British Vogue that featured a couture shoot, and I was mesmerised by how it transported me into another time and place. Fashion has its place in the real and dream worlds, but I'm very much drawn to pieces that fall into the latter - just like this dress. Plus, with almost no events and red carpets this year, I couldn't resist the temptation to put on a beautiful gown.

**What do you miss most about normal life?**I really miss the days when I could go to concerts, go on a trip, be able to sneeze and have no one look at you strangely. I hope that this all improves, that the people who are sick will eventually improve. I hope that we all understand that the best way to move forward is if we are united living together in this world.**What have you learnt about yourself this year?**I realised that I can be strong and that I can reinvent myself. This knowledge has given me a lot of joy. At some point I was in limbo, but now I have a better perspective on things.

**What lessons have you learnt during lockdown?**It's been a relief to see the industry finally realize that if you're talented, you don't have to live in the city to have a great career. I was always nervous that I'd be overlooked or wouldn't grow to my full potential if I made a stop along the way in Dallas. But here we are, and I love it! We have space and a big backyard where I can enjoy gardening—something we'd miss out on in the city. Before the pandemic, I was on a plane every other week and missing so many important moments with my family. It's no fairy-tale now, as I'm in front of a computer all day long, but I get to be home when my son rings the doorbell every afternoon after school. That moment and what comes after is priceless.The other realisation I've come to during this time is we can never again be complacent about who is leading our country. I will never be apathetic about politics or silent in fear.**Any thoughts for the new year?**Predict the unpredictable. Expect the unexpected. If there's anything we learned this year is that we can't take the moment for granted, because who knows what's around the next corner.

**What do you miss most about normal life?**I'm quite a tactile and physical person (I'm half-Italian after all), so I'm missing the human contact and the personal connections that incubate new ideas. I'm looking forward to travelling and exploring new destinations.**What have you learnt about yourself this year?**This year has been eye-opening and formative in so many different ways. I've learned so much about myself, what truly makes me happy, how much I can endure, how resilient and resourceful I can be when put under pressure. As Frida Kahlo once said, 'At the end of the day, we can endure more than we think we can.' I learned that I can't control everything, and I need to let things happen and let things go. I've learned that it's acceptable to struggle, it's important to talk about it, and in these unprecedented times it's admissible to have the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, sometimes all in the same day or the same hour or even at the same time. But overall, I'm thankful for this annus horribilis and the realisations, learnings, obstacles and the road to recovery.

**What lessons have you learnt during lockdown?**I love this quote by Margaret Mead, and I reflect on it often thinking about all the changes and efforts towards progress that has happened this year: 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.' Every action, even small ones, has a ripple effect. Commitment and community has the potential to save the world.**What have you learnt about yourself this year?**2020 was a year of deep reflection - I realised I spent a decade 'escaping' through work, and when everything had come to a halt I was left with a void. I was experiencing a state of personal and collective trauma. Going through a break-up, a career rift, and many, many other underpinnings. It became clear that I had a lot of "inner work" to do: both professionally and personally. The silver lining of stillness was finally finding the time to assess my intentions. I learned to find happiness in simple moments, and that despite the great challenges of this year, there are always silver linings.**Any thoughts for the new year?**I'm looking forward to the new Biden administration and the vaccine!