Zang Toi Spring 2019 "Vive Le Yves" Fashion Show

I had the absolute pleasure of attending world renowned designer Zang Toi's Spring 2019 "Vive Le Yves" Fashion Show that paid homage to his favorite designer Yves Saint Laurent. This collection was very personal and very special to Zang as all 29 looks were a fan letter to the iconic Yves Saint Laurent. 

Zang traveled to Marrakech, Morocco to visit the Saint Laurent museum for inspiration before starting on the journey of creating these Yves Saint Laurent inspired looks. Zang Toi, "I was always inspired by his works and this season I decided to pay tribute to the master himself."

Every season Zang completely outdoes himself in his work and this collection was no exception. You could literally see how much love and devotion he put into the details of every piece. It was as if Yves Saint Laurent's work came back to life but with Zang's personal twist. 

New York Fashion Week Diary Day 2: Pink Swan Makeover at Caravan Stylist Studio + Zang Toi Spring 2016 Fashion Show!

Day 2 of New York Fashion Week was probably one of my favorites for so many reasons! The first being that I was invited to see my friend and designer Zang Toi’s fashion show that day. I look forward to Zang’s show each season as he’s one of the most innovative, brilliant and indescribably talented designers I know! 

The second reason was that I had a chance to wear a THEIA custom pink dress with feathers straight off their runway! The dress was invaluable and of course I needed the right hair and makeup to complete the look. I was so lucky that the Caravan Stylist Studio team could squeeze me in for a last minute makeover. The look they created for me was nothing short of brilliant as they molded me into the ‘Pink Swan’ for New York Fashion Week.

Zang Toi’s ‘Mystique Beauty of Venice’ Fall 2015 Collection

Every season for the past few years I’ve been lucky to be invited to Zang Toi’s fashion show. Anyone who’s seen his work can attest to the fact of how fortunate they’re to get a live glimpse of the granular details, sparkles, feathers, luxe furs and any other befitting decorations that adorn his many works of art. 

Work of art is certainly an ideal word to describe a Zang Toi design. His Fall 2015 collection ever so perfectly captured the romantic and mysterious essence of Venice. Appropriately titled “Mystique Beauty of Venice”, the collection demonstrated Zang’s heavy weight craftsmanship through each majestic Italian themed look. 

Best Memories Of 2013 + Happy New Year!

(Meeting Liam Hemsworth at the HUGO BOSS NYC Flagship store party definitely tops my list of epic moments from the past year!) 

Happy New Year my dearest readers! I’m so excited to see where my fashion career will take me in 2014. To celebrate the start of the New Year I wanted to reflect on the memories of the past year.

My favorite moments were full of glamorous dresses, extraordinary soirées, meeting fascinating people and new business opportunities.

Aside from the good memories there were also times where I wanted to completely give up on fashion. But, miraculously each time I went through a rough patch something always pushed me to continue whether it was a great press mention for my blog, encouragement from friends and family, or a new business opportunity. Of course, the best source of inspiration was emails from my readers asking fashion questions or letting me know that I inspired them.

This past year I also had a pretty sad breakup. My friends have joked that my life sometimes mirrors Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City. Perhaps they’re right?!

All of the experiences both good and bad have definitely influenced me in my personal style. I took some pretty daring fashion risks this past year and I don’t regret any of them. It’s very cliche to say but fashion has always been in my blood. The clothes I wear are a reflection of my personality. Sometimes, I can be classic like Audrey Hepburn and other times I love a bolder look like Daphne Guinness.     

I’ve learned that life is about living ‘epically’ and taking risks both personally and professionally. It’s about following your heart and going after your dreams and not listening to anyone who tells you you’re not good enough. I hope to accomplish a lot in 2014 and of course document every moment of my fashion adventures as The Style Socialite. :)

Zang Toi's Showroom Grand Opening Party

Designer Zang Toi and me

Fresh off the heels of his mega successful Spring 2014 fashion show, renowned Fashion Designer Zang Toi hosted an extravagant soiree to celebrate his new showroom location on the east side of New York. It was a privilege for me to be invited to both his fashion show and now his private celebration at his showroom right across Rockefeller Center. 

I arrived an hour into the start of the party due to a Summer downpour in New York which caused a lack of available cabs. Zang’s showroom was already full of mingling society guests, reporters and photographers. Zang was one of the first people to greet me. I can’t describe what an incredible feeling it was to know that one of the most iconic designers in the world knew who I was. It was a moment that I'll always treasure. Zang was dressed in his classic black suit and white shirt. 

Zang is truly a designer with the midus touch. Anything he produces shines with extraordinary opulence fit for a royal. In fact, Zang himself was recently given the royal title of Datuk Zang Toi by the King of Malaysia, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah. Zang is originally from Krai in Kelantan in Malaysia.

Zang came to New York at the age of 20 where he studied at the distinguished Parsons School of Design. In August 1989, he opened his atelier and soon after, U.S Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour featured Zang in March 1990 issue and was one of the first Asian designers championed by the renowned editor. In 1990, Zang was awarded the Mouton Cadet Young Designer of the Year which recognizes the top, young, U.S. designer of the year.

Since that time, Zang's work has been featured in major publications such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Financial Times, etc. Not only has he dressed Hollywood celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Elizabeth Taylor, Farrah Fawcett, Kristie Alley, Patti LaBelle, Gong Li, Eva Longoria, Fergie (Black Eyed Peas) and Heather Graham, but has also created luxurious wardrobe for philanthropists and royalty including Melinda Gates and Saudi Princess Haifa Bandar Al Saud.

Meeting Maksim Chmerkovskiy at Zang Toi's Fall 2013 Fashion Show

It’s always fun meeting some of my favorite celebrities at New York Fashion Week. Last season my favorite celeb to meet was Fran Drescher. This season it was definitely Maksim Chemovorksy. I met him at the Zang Toi Fall 2013 fashion show. He was so nice in person and definitely even more handsome in real life. I was excited to tell him that like him, I’m also originally from Ukraine. The second I was about to speak to him in Russian, he complimented me on my outfit and told me I looked beautiful. 

Unexpectedly, at that moment I forgot how to speak and I remember mumbling thanks before walking away in a daze of ‘did that really just happen’?!

I completely missed the opportunity to tell him in Russian that I was also from Ukraine and that I really admired his work and how much he’s accomplished here in America.

Maksim, if by some one in a million chance you come across this post; here is what I wanted to tell you in Russian: “Ya toshe priyehala se Odessa! Ya ochen lublu shto te deleyash y vasheshause skoka te zdelale v Ameriky!
Translation: I’m also from Odessa. I really love what you do and admire how much you’ve accomplished in America!

Zang Toi Fall 2012: Glamorous Royal Luxury

Zang Toi is known for his exquisite taste in luxury material, meticulous beadwork and supreme craftsmanship. He's truly established himself as a leader in the luxury fashion world. As always during his show I was sitting on the edge of my seat and gasping with amazement as each look graced the runway. I was completely blown away by his entire collection which featured fabulous coats, tailored suits and dresses in luxury materials like french lace, wool, velvet, cashmere and silk. Zang used a well rounded color palette with ivory, grey, black and ruby. I will always remember his brilliant ruby silk organza princess ball gown with pleated organza, tulle and ribbon ruffled borders (see top photo). The model wearing the gown even stopped to twirl around as if she was a princess walking into Zang Toi's royal court. What I love most about Zang is that he knows how to make women look like modern day royalty which was clearly demonstrated once again in his Fall 2012 collection. 

 

The show ended with a brilliant brush strokes silk organza gstaad ball gown with attached beaded black mini skirt and crystal encrusted one-shoulder trail. During the finale Zang was given a standing ovation fit for a king of the luxury fashion world. 

Check out the Zang Toi:

• Website
• Facebook fan page
• Twitter

Zang Toi Facebook Mention

I received such a huge honor today. Fashion designer extraordinaire Zang Toi re-posted on his Facebook fan page the review I wrote about his SS12 fashion show. 

My reviews have been re-posted before but this time was extra special as it was re-created into a picture format that you see above with my name in the middle!

Clickhere to check out the review on my blog.  

Zang Toi SS12 Fashion Show: Luxury Meets African Theme and Kirstie Alley

(Photo by Huffington Post)

I’m a firm believer that fashion houses need to put together more exciting runway shows like Zang Toi’s SS12 fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. When you attend a Zang Toi fashion show you know you’re going to be in for an exciting surprise and I’m not just talking about the exquisite clothes every season. Before I get into the show stopping finale, let me start from the beginning. The collection this season was called “My Dream of North Africa.” The show opened with a look that truly encompassed the theme with a model wearing an African headpiece and a desert silk gazar linen goddess coat that was bordered with 23k gold leaf.

What I love most about Zang Toi is that he always knows how to put an interesting spin on luxury wear. The collection included both day wear and evening wear pieces. Zang used the most luxurious fabrics like silk gazar, linen, mousseline, French lace, cashmere, wool, velvet, silk organza, cotton jacquard, Italian silk, beaded, silk satin, rayon knit, mohair, silk chiffon and silk velvet.

My favorite piece was the sapphire iridescent silk chiffon strapless empire gown with crystal encrusted brooch.

The finale was not something anyone could have predicted. Kirstie Alley, the newly slimmed down Dancing With The Stars alum sashayed down the runway in a jewel encrusted “One Thousand Nights & One” imperial coat over a sapphire couture silk gazar strapless imperial gown. Looking like a queen out of an Arabian Nights movie she was absolutely unforgettable and the perfect ingredient to make the Zang Toi SS12 show one of the most memorable of the season.