Zang Toi has always been known for his craftsmanship and theatrical catwalk that appeals to a client base consisting of international jetsetters, well-heeled fashion mavens and red-carpet regulars. For his spring 2014 collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the Malaysian-born designer took the fashion elite to a night at the ballet with dazzling looks inspired by a whimsical love story played out through dance. “I wanted to take the very elegant line, and very graceful line of ballet to translate into the collection,” says Toi about his inspiration from the dance artform.
The runway show opened with an enchanting performance by American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Cory Stearns who is Toi’s longtime muse and walks in many of his shows. Stearns graceful performed a brief ballet variation that lead right into Toi’s ballet-themed collection.
The stylish pieces resembled a beautiful, dark, twisted fantasy that Zang Toi married with ballet-inspired gowns with tulle peeking out, resembling a ballerina’s tutu. The color palette consisted of navy, baby blue, soft pink, and midnight black for a mysterious yet trendy tone for his affluent patrons. Detailed, handcrafted floral embroidery and ribbon sequin accents was a reoccurring trend juxtaposed against silk and cashmere for a truly opulent fashion statement.
Zang Toi is one of the few MBFW designers that’s lauded with a standing ovation at the end of his runway presentations. And season after season he proves that the appreciation of his work is not just for the beauty he has brought to fashion in the past, but for the continued, arduous evolution of his aesthetic!!
—Dana E. Givens
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