Chinese billionaire Zhang Zetian dazzles in Vietnamese designer's gown at Hong Kong gala

Chinese billionaire Zhang Zetian, popularly known as "Sister Milk Tea," attracted attention in an elaborate gown by Vietnamese designer Phan Huy at a charity gala attended by Hong Kong film stars Chow Yun-fat and Carina Lau.

Zhang wore a haute couture creation from Phan Huy's 2026–2027 collection to the event held at Hong Kong's M+ museum last weekend.

Inspired by modern sculpture, the gown featured a distinctive architectural silhouette supported by an internal wire structure. Intricate crystal embellishments, meticulously attached by hand, added a subtle sparkle to the sculptural design.

Fashion enthusiasts on Chinese social media platform Weibo praised Zhang for carrying off the unconventional design with elegance, noting that its complex shape can be challenging to wear.

Her slender figure, minimal makeup and simple hairstyle were also credited with complementing the dramatic gown without overwhelming the overall look.

The charity event brought together prominent figures from the business and entertainment worlds, including Pansy Ho and Laurinda Ho, daughters of the late Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho, as well as Chow Yun-fat, his wife and actress Carina Lau.

Zhang holds a senior leadership role at the e-commerce company founded by her husband, Liu Qiangdong. According to the 2025 Hurun rich list, the couple has a combined fortune of 58 billion yuan (US$8.6 billion).

As an adviser to the company's fashion business, Zhang frequently attends major international fashion weeks and prestigious luxury events.

Over the past year, she has also ventured into broadcasting, hosting an interview program featuring influential personalities from business and the arts.

Zhang first became an internet celebrity in 2009 after a photograph of her holding a cup of milk tea went viral, earning her the nickname "Sister Milk Tea."

In 2011, she gained direct admission to China's prestigious Tsinghua University. She later chose to focus on her education rather than pursue acting, declining an offer to star in renowned director Zhang Yimou's historical film "The Flowers of War."

Phan Huy, 27, comes from Quang Tri Province in central Vietnam and is a guest member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.

His designs often draw inspiration from childhood memories of rural Vietnam, incorporating images of sunset landscapes, glowing fireflies, floating duckweed and lotus ponds under moonlight into contemporary haute couture creations.