Is Meng Wanzhou a fashion icon? The controversial Huawei CFO’s most stylish looks, from her all-pink Chanel suit to the Gucci boat neck dress and colourful Hermès scarf

Oct 1 , 2021

During her detention in Canada, Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou ditched the hoodies and trainers for stylish looks by designer labels. Photos: Reuters, AP, The Canadian Press

The top tech executive recently returned to Shenzhen, China, after a three-year detention, stepping out of a chartered plane in a scarlet red Carolina Herrera dress

Meng dropped the hoodies and sneakers for designer labels, donning luxury accessories like Roger Vivier pumps, and Fendi’s Canvas tote and FF logo shawl

Meng Wanzhou, CFO of Chinese tech giant Huawei, was recently freed from Canada after a deal with the US Department of Justice. The tech executive, who was previously under house arrest in her multimillion-dollar mansion in Vancouver, travelled to Shenzhen on a chartered Air China flight on September 25. Two Canadians detained in China were also released and returned to their home country.

During her three-year detention in Canada, the daughter of the tech company’s founder, Ren Zhengfei, attended numerous court hearings. And one thing we noticed over the years was her incredible style transformation, going from simple hoodies and trainers to well-curated high fashion ensembles. Her refined looks featured clothing and accessories from luxury labels Hermès, Chanel, Fendi, Miu Miu as well as sky-high stilettos from Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and Roger Vivier – together with her ankle monitor.

And although Meng went through an ordeal weightier than her appearance might belie, the internet is still fascinated with the powerful attitude the top executive exuded through her fashion choices. Chinese netizens interpreted Meng’s outfits as her way of showing her resilience and even silently protesting.

Here are some of the most memorable pieces Meng wore during her 1,028-day detention …

Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou waves as she steps out of a chartered plane in Shenzhen. Photo: Reuters

One of the most memorable moments of the saga was when Meng touched down in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, home to Huawei’s headquarters. She stepped out of the plane in a scarlet red dress by American designer Carolina Herrera. Chinese citizens praised the tech executive for wearing red – a hue that’s a nod to the Chinese flag and culture.

“Where there is a Chinese flag, there is a beacon of faith,” Meng said in a speech at the airport where a crowd welcomed her homecoming. “If faith has a colour, it must be China red.”

Meng’s other two statement-making accessories were her red Chinese flag brooch and the new black Huawei Watch 3.

Meng Wanzhou arrives at the Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia. Photo: Bloomberg