Courtesy of Tory Burch
Margaret Zhang made her name in the industry as a talented photographer, a stylist and the founder of influential style blog Shine by Three. In her second collaboration with Tory Burch, Margaret played the role of the creative director and photographer in an editorial photo series titled #Torytunic—celebrating the brand’s signature tunics.
Read on to find out her inspiration behind the shoot and her thoughts on the collection!
Courtesy of Tory Burch
What was the inspiration for a shoot with Zoey, Kenya, Nikia and Annie?
The idea was to bring together a cross section of women from different backgrounds, skill sets, industries, but all together a great representation of the young LA woman. Women who could hold a meaningful conversation about their areas of passion – something I love to do with a subject to understand their character and to make them as comfortable as possible in front of camera.
Any thoughts on the cast?
Women of substance who are well informed, make proactively self-educating choices, and are qualified to give their opinions to their very engaged audiences.
Why did you choose the Gesner Beach House in Malibu as the location?
Harry Gesner is such an iconic fixture in American architecture, and his work is so much about drawing on shapes in nature. This particular house was built for his wife using found and reclaimed materials, and didn’t just feel like a ‘modernist’ home transplanted into a beach environment. It was very much built into the landscape was well suited tot he relaxed, uncontrived direction of the shoot.
Courtesy of Tory Burch
A fun anecdote from behind the scenes…
I couldn’t stop laughing at the house pug, Zephyr – a paunchy, cross-eyed sweetheart.
Favorite part of the shoot?
Zen Gesner, who was on set with us throughout both shoot days, is the most spectacular legend of a human being!
Favorite look from this collection we shot (and why)…
I loved the hooded tunic we shot on Annie – it just has such an easy, Baja surf sensibility with 60s Cali-rock playing in the background at all times.
Love a great tunic because…
I’ve always struggled with beach coverups – most are awkward and a strange degree of sheer. Tunics split the difference so well, as well as making excellent layering pieces.
Courtesy of Tory Burch
And my tip to styling/accessorizing a tunic…
A good pair of sunglasses, a huge sunhat, and a straw basket bag.
My bohemian icon and why…
Love Janis Joplin’s 70s aesthetic. The evolution of her image was so much an extension of the rawness of her voice and her approach to sound.
My must-visit spots on the West Coast…
Honestly I haven’t spent as much time on the West Coast as I would like, but I love how low-lying and calm Palm Springs is.
Courtesy of Tory Burch
For me, West Coast style and/or a West Coast state of mind is…
Laidback.
My top tip to make a splash with your summer style…
Accent an every day jeans and t-shirt look with 80s art deco earrings
What’s one summer essential?
SPF 50+ spray.
What are your favorite haunts in L.A./Malibu?
Breakfast at Soho Beach House when nobody’s there at 7AM is so calming.
For more of Margaret Zhang, visit her blog at shinebythree.com!
