The Star Online: Lifestyle: Arts & Fashion

Posted: 22 Sep 2011 12:40 AM PDT

Designer Zang Toi delivers a collection filled with thrills and surprising elements.

KNOWN for his timeless aesthetic and modern twist on sophisticated elegance, Zang Toi embarked on a journey to the African desert this season where decadence and glamour rule.

The couturier showcased his Spring 2012 collection on Sept 13 during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and received a standing ovation for his designs.

"The inspiration of 'My Dream of North Africa' came from the memory of my stay at the La Mamounia in Marrakech 11 years ago," enthused Kelantan-born Zang in an e-mail interview. "As a creative person, I hope to bring beauty back to the world."

He added that, through his collection, he was also paying homage to the late Yves Saint Laurent and his iconic home in Marrakech.

"The rich culture, the brilliantly blue night sky and rich sands, the glamorous lifestyle – everything about this place is magical and beautifully classic. I wanted to subtly translate that feeling of timeless exotica," explained Zang.

"The gold statement was actually conceived when I started thinking about the collection seven months ago. My first reason is that gold is a favourite jewel of that region and, secondly, I wanted to make a switch from seven years ago, when I played with platinum to provide a surprise element to the new collection."

Zang's colour palate comprises deep browns, desert ebony, ivory and a brilliant sapphire blue. Fabrics include linen printed on silk gazar, silk mousseline, Loro Piana silk and cashmere, accented with French lace and even 23K gold leaf border. Tuxedo looks are strong in dark ebony, while bold sweeping A-line skirts steal the show for evening.

Since the designer opened his atelier in New York in 1989, Zang has been a constant on the international scene of haute fashion. Having dressed celebrities such as Sharon Stone, Eva Longoria and Patti Labelle, he got his longtime friend Kirstie Alley to model in his show.

Clad in a dramatic royal blue, rhinestone-adorned gown, the 60-year-old actress – who is a former Dancing With The Stars contestant – closed Zang's fashion show. (The other celebrity who participated in the show was Cory Stearns, the principle dancer from American Ballet Theatre.)

"I've known Zang since 1993," Alley was quoted as saying in an interview. "I did the cover of Redbook and I wanted something really beautiful ... he just has the most beautiful clothes, period."

As a Hollywood star, Alley has walked the red carpet numerous times. But she revealed that she still had some runway jitters.

"Will be winkin' and blinking at y'all. DONT make me laugh! Gotta keep 'model face'. Oh, who am I kidding?? Haha," she tweeted before going on the runway.

After the show, Alley tweeted: "Thank You all the REAL Models for letting me share @ZANGTOI runway with you! You all were sooo sweet and looked soooo gorgeous!"

As she had such a good experience, we can't help but wonder if she'll make an encore appearance at Zang's next show. – William K.C. Kee

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Rabu, 21 September 2011