A moment with Anna Sui and Zang Toi backstage at NYFW

September 19, 2010 LuvKitty 0 Comments

ZANG TOI

True to his Texan clientele, Zang Toi delivered a collection worthy of any glamorous Texan belle. Inspired by the epic film “Giant”, he structured his show into two parts. It opened with the sexy James Dean like Texas cowboy and cowgirls of more day wear with strong pieces like a floor length cinch waist coat and tailored wide legged pants with v neck sweaters and an attached blouse. The second half showed the delicate rose capturing Liz Taylor’s 1960s beauty with dramatic sweeping garden print gowns, floral topped tight sweaters and embellished capes. If Dallas or Dynasty were to return to the air, Zang Toi would surely be tapped.

A moment with:

ASIANCE: What was the inspiration?

Zang: It’s a hint of the movie “Giant”. It’s a Texas collection about a rugged Texas cowboy with a Texas rose. Its 2 segments: the opening is with a sexy cowboy and sexy cowgirls then we move into a very feminine and glamorous tea rose. It’s a big market for me- Houston, Dallas the ladies love to dress up there.

ASIANCE: Do you have a pre fashion week ritual?

Zang: The night before, we always eat Kentucky Fried Chicken as good luck chicken. It started 20 years ago. After being in business for only 1 year when we ate KFC the night before I was entering the Mouton Cadet competition and the next day I won the Young designer of the year. Now I do this every season and eat KFC the night before each show.

ASIANCE: What do you do post show?

Zang: I’m one of the most boring designers out there. I’m really a homebody and I’m not a partyer. I’m probably just going out with my brother and staffers for a quiet dinner.

ANNA SUI

As a backdrop to her Spring show, Anna Sui chose the iconic background from Days of Heaven to set the stage. She loved “the way it was shot in twilight and the alienation of it, which is what the world is like today.” True to her love of the 70s, she turned out gorgeous and feminine hippy prairie dresses with Victorian lace detailing alongside granny square and afghan crocheted ponchos and sweeping sweaters, flare pants, ruffled apron dresses and feather trimmed skirts. She used a neutral palette of bisque and cream with the occasional paisley print and patchwork. A secret to Anna’s success is her ability to blend nostalgic reminders of the turn of the century details with the coming of age innocence of the 70s and make it work in our fast paced digital world.

A moment with:

ASIANCE: What is the inspiration?

Anna: I love that film ‘Days of Heaven’. I love the atmosphere, the way it’s shot in twilight and the alienation of it. It’s kind of like what the world is like today.

ASIANCE: Do you have a pre fashion week ritual?

Anna: I have a lucky ring that my mother gave me. I carry it with me at all times. That’s why I have my pouch. Everyone squeezes my hand and I’m afraid it’s going to break. It’s fragile and is made out of coral.