Her experience in many positions at the magazine helped her hone an acclaimed eye for trends and an ability to discover and support such young domestic designers as Guo Pei, Luo Zheng and Wang Yutao.

While the Chinese Devil Wears Prada defines her public persona, she's an angel to most colleagues.

"She's demanding in her pursuit of perfection but is reasonable," Bazaar's lifestyle director Bao Fang says.

"She's immaculately dressed whether it's 40 C or - 20 C. She walks faster in high heels than I can in flat shoes. I have to run to catch up. And she speaks so quickly that I have to immediately write down what she says to keep up with the main points. But she's patient if you don't get it. She doesn't mind repeating herself until you do."

Bazaar's culture director Zhu Jie says Su shows a sensitive side.

"I saw her sob when her favorite staff member quit. Su did everything she could to support another colleague who left to start her own business."

The public sees Su in fashion shows' front rows, at glamourous parties and in media. They don't see her eating fast food with assistants in the office, working into the night or flying to three cities in one day on business.

She relishes her home life with her French husband, who's a teacher, and their 15-year-old daughter.

"I made breakfast and drove her to primary school every morning," she says.

"I pretended to forget work every time I came home. She's grown up now and has her own friends. I'm still her mother. But now I'm also her special friend."

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