Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Zang Toi Autumn 2014

The master of drama, Zang Toi, does it again with an Autumn 2014 show, Shanghai 1930's, "Paris of the Orient", inspired by jazz-age Shanghai glamour.  The show started with a model wearing Loro Piana cashmere Geoplaid 1930's Gangster's trouser suit with a silver fox stole.  It felt like I was in the setting of a 1930's film noir.  Capes, trench coats, fedoras angled perfectly atop coifed waves, sensual thigh high stockings and boots, added to the mystique.  The hue of the evening was a brilliant jade green.  

Kithe Brewster Fall 2013 Collection

Celebrity Stylist and Designer Kithe Brewster presented his Fall 2013 Collection on Valentine's Day, with an intimate show at his private studio in the garment industry.   I felt fortunate to be part of the select group who experienced the myriad of show-stopping dresses and flowing gowns in exotic materials.  The looks were lighthearted and sexy.  Skin flashed, but in unexpected and playful ways, such as high slits in the back of gowns.

Mr. Brewster was particularly influenced by a 2011 trip to Uzbekistan where he attended Art Week in Tashkent as a guest of Gulnara Karimova for Style.Uz.  He not only got a rare glimpse of the Uzbek art and fashion world, but also hosted his own master class,  where he talked about the challenges of working with famous actresses, singers and top models.  While he was there, he saw many unique and beautiful Uzbek fabrics and intricate gold embroidery which he purchased and used for this current collection.

One of the Uzbek fabrics was a bright teal floral silk fabric which was cut as a burqa and also as a gown.   An interesting piece was a beautiful black dress, which seemed military inspired with a shield-like structure, embellished with a bold golden pattern reminiscent of a royal coat of arms.   Producer and Co-CEO of The Halcyon Company and Tara Subkoff of Imitation were the grand finale, looking golden in their respective outfits as they walked the runway.  Guests at the show included Atlanta Real House Wife, Cynthia Bailey, designer Zang Toi, and Constance White.

Tara Subkoff, Victor Kubicek, and Kithe Brewster

Tara Subkoff models for Kithe Brewster

Golden Pair: Producer Victor Kubicek and Imitation of Christ's Tara Subkoff

 Cynthia Bailey (Real Houswives of Atlanta) and Designer Zang Toi

Susan Murphy and Dr. Robert Brewster

Makeup by Edward Cruz

Designer Stefanie and Jocelyn Taylor (wearing SKINDEEP by Stefanie)

Singer Marieme

Zang Toi Fall/Winter 2012 - Glamor at Gstaad

Zang Toi Fall/Winter 2012 - A friend of mine, who is a seasoned veteran of Fashion Week, rarely gets excited these days about attending fashion shows.  But one of the few shows that she always looks forward to with much anticipation is the Zang Toi show.  The Malaysia born designer's shows did not fail to give a grand show again this season.  His inspiration this time was "Glamour at Gstaad", a city in Switzerland where the women and men are strong an stylish.

With the soulful voice of Adele in the background, the show began with with a lush ivory fox fur coat over a ivory french lace mini dress. Following that piece were dresses and suits in luxurious wool, angora, velvet and Loro Piana cashmere. The color palette moved from neutral ivory and black to brilliant ruby.   The men's suits were dapper and dramatic. One of the outstanding looks was a silk satin smoking robe in brilliant brush strokes. There was a collective murmur and then clapping in the audience when models walked down the runway in brilliant brush strokes silk satin and organza gowns. The gowns were adorned with jewelry by Precious Jewellery by Amee Philips. After the grand finale of a fabulous organza ball gown with  crystal encrusted one-shoulder trail, the entire room stood up for a standing ovation.  Whether you're a seasoned fashionista or new to the fashion world, Zang Toi's are a feast for the senses.
Coming soon - My interview video with Zang Toi for AsianinNY.com 

Black + Ivory Clarence House SIlk Velvet Zebra Mini Storm Coat, Black handloomed cashmere silk zipped ribbed turtleneck + velvet leggings

Celebrities Backstage at Zang Toi

Zang Toi with Petra Němcová 

Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, Michael Kenneth Williams, Miss Teen NY

Designer Zang Toi with Celebrity Stylist Kithe Brewster

Zang Toi Fall 2011

Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week 2011 - Regal. Emotional. Touching. Those were the descriptions I overheard from people sitting around me at the Zang Toi Fall 2011 show. Zang Toi is a true showman with a flair for the dramatic.  Models with sky high beehives glided down the runway to classical music. They looked like they were ready to attend a royal ball and dance to the Viennese Waltz. My favorite and most dramatic part of the Zang Toi Show was when model Ling lowered her fur wrap halfway down the catwalk  to reveal a magnificent emerald collar that also draped her shoulders. Timeless Beauty was the inspiration. Zang Toi marches to his own beat and his beautiful pieces do not belong to the world of fast trends that disappear in a year, but pieces that one would treasure for ages.  

 

 

Backstage Photos at Zang Toi

with Kaity Tong!

Kelly Choi, TV Host

Beautiful Snow

Gorgeous neck piece worn on model, Ling.

Hair by Embrace your Hair

Wearing a Embrace your Hair piece

Color Club - Official Nail Sponsor - Where is the Soiree?

Julia Kolovarsky