NEW YORK, Feb 19, 2002/ --- 'This show is a tribute to America and to show my deep love for this city, New York and its people. The entire show is in red, white and navy, stars and stripes,' Zang Toi explained before his fall 2002 presentation.

He wasn't kidding!

Always one for animated extravagance, this season was downright rambunctious - even by Toi's standards.

The opening pieces were the most subdued: a fox trimmed coat, a flight jacket and ink colored velvet jeans were all embroidered with the American eagle and the House of Toi logo.

Then came the high school marching band homage: red, white and blue knits with cable trim; a georgette "American Star" twin set; and a series of military suits with mink collars and chinchilla shawls paired with pencil skirts.

Other tributes to the uniform included cord jumpsuits and military shirts complete with faux medals of honor.

All this to the tune of Lenny Kravitz's "American Woman" and a rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner."

Next came what Toi coined the "Dancing dress group."

Flouncy cocktail dresses, silk organza skirts paired with silk and wool cashmere twin sets, high-waisted dresses with full skirts paired with navy velvet embroidered jackets trimmed with chinchilla - all in stars or striped prints.

A dizzying display of evening gowns in couture satin with an American flag print draped over the shoulder, wrapped around the body or tied around the waist completed the cavalcade.

The finale - a four-layered silk organza ball skirt, worn by an otherwise topless male model - got the Malaysian designer an enthusiastic round of applause.

As always the collection was beautifully cut.

Toi's tailoring is what makes clients such as Sharon Stone, Jennifer Tilly, Elizabeth Taylor, Ivana Trump, and a handful of princesses wildly loyal.

But let's hope these divas like to wear their patriotism on their sleeve.

Zang Toi

Zang Toi

Zang Toi

Zang Toi

Zang Toi