NEW YORK: Malaysian fashion designer Datuk Zang Toi’s latest royal blue collection received unprecedented coverage at the just-concluded New York Fashion Week (NYFW) when Fox News featured the iconic designer’s creations in a special televised segment.
Zang, who has established a high-end clientele not only in the US, but also in other countries, was in his element at the NYFW, where he presented his fall designs, relying on a brilliant royal blue hue, interspersed with other shades as well.
Among the attendees at his New York fashion show was Kimberley Guilfoyle, Fox News’ anchor, who is herself a fan of Zang, and Anthony Scaramouchi, who is being considered for a White House advisor’s post.
Fox News featured Zang for six minutes on its channel, highlighting his creations, the high point of which was a regal, long, flowing blue gown depicting a blonde model as a “princess”.
“This was indeed the grand finale,” of the 33 designs Zang displayed at the show. In their reviews, fashion experts and critics praised Zang’s designs, which were a mix of brilliantly-executed finishings and colours to match Zang’s hallmark elegance.
The collection opened with a black and navy shirt and turtleneck combination, which was a blend of the classic and utilitarian. As Zang’s show glided towards its conclusion, royal blue became the dominant colour, culminating in the regal “princess” gown.
An impressed audience
The audience rewarded Zang with a standing ovation as he strutted with the “princess” model down the catwalk at the end of the show.
In an interview with Bernama, Toi described Guilfoyle of Fox News as a “true friend”.
“I was deeply honoured and humbled that Fox News featured my show on its channel for about six minutes. How many fashion designers get six minutes on Fox News?” he said.
The Kelantan-born Malaysian fashion icon, who is also known to his friends as the “boy from Kelantan”, also discussed his business plans, on top of his fashion collection.
After having signed a deal with Papyrus, the top-selling brand of designer greeting cards, Zang said that he is launching his second collection of cards in Sept.
“The new collection will be called ‘Zang Toi’s New York series’ and will also feature landmarks of New York, etc.” he said, and described his first venture with Papyrus a “success”.
Zang and Lexus
Malaysia’s premier fashion designer is also branching into other business ventures.
He has a project lined up with luxury car manufacturer Lexus, whose staff at future trade show events will be attired in clothing designed by Zang Toi.
“The chairman of Lexus was pleased with Zang Toi-designed attire for the Detroit Car Show in January. There will be another car show in New York in April, when I will be offering my designs,” Zang said, adding that the top bosses at Lexus were also present at his NYFW show.
Zang said that the synergies from his collaboration with the Lexus brand will provide a strong boost to his own line.
Meanwhile, the prolific designer has been receiving fan mail from all over the world. A die-hard fan in Scotland, for example, has been closely following his creations, and has been in frequent touch with him on Facebook about his show and also his Fox News appearance.
“Here’s another mail from this fan in Scotland,” Zang said, displaying the printed-out email.
Zang said that US First Lady Melania Trump had worn a white-and-pink dress by him when she and the US president announced in 2003 that they were getting married. -- BERNAMA