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.  

Macaron Parlour: Second Location Upper West Side

Dessert lovers rejoice!  Macaron Parlour owned by talented married couple, Christine Ha and Simon Tung, has a new location in the Upper West Side located at  560 Columbus Avenue between 87th & 87th Streets.  I was fortunate to be invited to their press launch and sampled lots of delicious treats.  

Aside from the traditional macaron flavors (chocolate, lemon, hazelnut, etc.), Macaron Parlour has some unique flavors such as Cheetos, Rosemary and Olive Oil, and my personal favorite, the savory Thai Chili.

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week: Leather Japan 2014

For Mercedes Benz Fashion Week,  Leather Japan showcased at contemporary art gallery, Thomas Erben Gallery, featuring a group of select contemporary leather craft works from the fields of fashion, craft work, and art.  The creations ranged from ancient Japanese traditional artifacts to everyday goods and artistic works.  For this special exhibition, nine designers and ten contemporary artists from Japan and abroad created original pieces with the theme “Japanese Leather”.

 It was amazing to see these quality Japanese leather goods, made by craftsmen using top caliber artisan techniques.  s.

I also bumped into Mr. Kosuke Tsumura, a well known Japanese designer of brand Final Home.  And I also met  the famous Susie Bubble who was very sweet and graciously accepted a photo request from me and friend

Vivienne Tam Fall 2014 Collection

This season, Vivienne Tam's Fall 2014 collection was inspired by a well-kept memory of the hidden treasures of DunHuang, the gateway to the West, at the heart of the Silk Road and pays homage to one the most revered cultural heritage sites and art shrines in the world.  It celebrates the beauty of the cave murals and underscores the imperative of historic preservation. 

The exquisite, ancient frescoes are captured in the collection through digital prints and the artwork developed for them transcend time to be relevant today.   


Earth tones of sepia, amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, oxidized and jade green, sometimes interlaced with metallic gold and bronze,

Ishikawa Arts Now at Japan Society: February 11 - February 14

Ishikawa Arts Now, a juried display of traditional and modern craft, art, and design products, organized by the Ishikawa Prefectural Government of Japan, held a reception and opening preview at the Japan Society on the evening of Feb 10th, 2014.  The display from Ishikawa Arts Now, runs through February 14th at the Japan Society (free admission), located at 333 E 47th St, New York, NY 10017.

Kutani Hand-painted Incense Burner, Porcelain by Toide Masahiko

In attendance were Koichiro Eno (Director of Ishikawa Prefecture Department, JETRO New York), Celebrity Chef Michael Romano (Ambassador of Culture and Fine Dining of Ishikawa Prefecture), Museum of Arts and Design curators David McFadden and Ron Labaco.  

Urushi Rider's Helmet "Phoenix" by Kaba Jikichi Lacquerware Company

Opening Remarks were made by Mr. Eno and Mr. Jun Ishihara, Consul for the General Consulate of Japan in New York.  MAD's Mr. McFadden spoke briefly about the 19 pieces that were selected by Mr. Labaco and Mr. McFadden.  He lauded the highly trained artists who fuse modern and traditional art, keeping the old crafts alive and new.  

One of the artists, whose piece was selected for the juried display was artist Yuki Nakamura, who created "Universal Collection_24", made a special appearance. 

The artist traveled from Ishikawa prefecture for the event.  Yuki Nakamura's ability to collect random bits of shell, wood, and bone fuse them together with sap-derived lacquer never results in anything less than magical.  Once the piece has been traditionally lacquered and polished, its organic lines reflect the flow of all living things.

You can shop select craft at theartofjapan.net or contact Alice Chin a.chin@theartoftravel.net.

Left to Right: Mr. Koichiro, Director of Ishikawa Prefecture Department, JETRO New York, Mr. Ron Labaco, Ms. Dana Galbreath, Mr. David McFadden, Mr. Shinichi Doi, Lauren Scharf , Evelyn Teploff Mugii, and Alice Chin 

Style.Uz Art Week: The Last Samurai: Mysterious Japan

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Pianist Jiaxin Tian February 8th at Lincoln Center

I recently attended a press party for talented young Chinese pianist Jiaxin Tian 田佳鑫 at Steinway Hall in New York City.  At the event, Ms. Tian performed the the Liszt "Mephisto Waltz" with great passion and personality.  She also spoke to the press about her performance style and upcoming concert.

Born into a musical family in Beijing, Jiaxin Tian is a rising star among young piano virtuosos. Having earned praise for her solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall in February 2013, she has since obtained her Professional Studies degree from Manhattan School of Music, during which time she received MSM’s highest piano citation, the Harold Bauer Award. Her Master of Music degree is also from the MSM under Jeffrey Cohen in 2012. “Ms. Tian mirrored the ensemble’s passion and energetic commitment,” said the New York Times of Ms. Tian’s performance with the Manhattan School of Music Orchestra under Philippe Entremont. She has performed around the U.S., China, and Europe.

Ms. Tian has selected 7 pieces to perform at her upcoming concert at Lincoln Center.  One of them was composed by young Chinese composer Zhang Shuai, who has collaborated closely with Ms. Tian in the past. The unique piece, titled 'Three Preludes', has 3 parts, the first with a Gershwin Jazz feeling, Debussy-like in the middle, and third part is a Chinese folk song.  Ms. Tian thought it would be a fitting way to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

Jiaxin with her host parents. Erica Mason and Lark Mason of iGavel Auctions.

She will also perform the Chopin Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op.35, which Ms. Tian said is very difficult.  It has 4 parts which needs total concentration and is difficult to control.  When Jiaxin performs, she tries to give a different story and feeling to each piece by playing with a her own color and tone.   When asked about the challenges of being an Asian performer in America, she said that if you have your own character, it doesn't matter if you're Asian.

At the end of the press party, Ms. Tian thanked her host parents, Erica and Lark Mason, as well as her professors at the Manhattan School of Music.  Jiaxin is currently working on a new album for 2015 and will be performing around the world.


Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 7:30pm.

 Program: Mozart: Sonata No. 8 in A minor, K.310
 Chopin: Nocturne in D-flat major, Op. 27, No. 2
Chopin: Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35
Zhang Shuai: Three Preludes Mendelssohn: Fantasy, Op. 28
Schubert-Liszt: Der Müller un Der Bach Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12
For additional information or to purchase tickets: click here.