The new debutante

Business women: Crowned debutantes Polly Zhang (left) and Jen Hau are running a business now. Photo provided to Shanghai Star

Zhang's family have a successful nutrition business in the US. She is not only candid about her appetite and age, the latter of which used to be a taboo subject in interviews with debutantes, but also her relationship status. Her deb's delight (the male escort for every debutante) is her boyfriend.

"It's no longer about finding a husband or mate," says Zhang about the purpose of the ball, which she believes should evolve, as it was started in the 18th century.

"It's more about us coming out as a strong woman," she says.

Zhang says the woman who has the greatest influence on her is her paternal grandmother, who was born to a wealthy Shanghai family at the beginning of 20th century but still needed to fight to be educated.

Zhang, a double major in molecular cell biology and business administration had no such worry to receive an education. Together with Jen Hau, she is showing entrepreneurial spirit by starting a company that produces and sells Chinese traditional stewed dessert (dun pin), which is believed to be beneficial for your health.

Traditionally, dun pin has been a time-consuming and labor-intensive dish made only by housewives or rich families with cooks in China. Zhang and Hau have reproduced and packaged the dessert in a similar way to bottled water. It is going to be sold in supermarkets at the price of a cup of coffee.

"It's catering to every modern, busy office lady, if not every lady," Zhang says.