NEW YORK, Sep 13, 2006/ FW/ --- Opting for the more intimate atmosphere of a presentation, Zang Toi unveiled his Spring 2007 collection this week at his atelier at 57th Street.

‘I wanted to recreate the tęte-ŕ-tęte feeling of my trunk shows with the press and buyers,’ Zang Toi told FW when asked why he decided to skip the tents this season. ‘It was a hard decision not to show at Bryant Park for Spring 2007, but I needed to go back to my roots when I knew every single journalist, photographer and buyer who cover my show.’

Zang Toi who had shown at Bryant Park every season for the past 15 years seem to be enjoying the zen-like atmosphere at his atelier when personally showing his collection to his guests.

‘Ivana Trump dropped by earlier during the week, and Neiman Marcus buyers were here early this morning,’ Zang Toi said. ‘Although they said they were disappointed that I was not at Bryant Park, they enjoyed being able to see the collection up close & personal, and have the models wear the exact outfit they want to see.’

Presenting ‘uptown chic’ once again, Zang Toi’s Spring 2007 collection is a continuation of his very successful Fall 2006 assortment that was presented last February. It is another first for the New York-based designer, who had always offered a different theme every season.

‘Fall 2006 is the most successful collection I have had in my 17 years in the business,’ Zang Toi related. ‘The response from the buyers and my clients had been phenomenal and the pieces are moving faster than expected at the store shelves.’

‘My demi-couture clients also love it. One of them flew here to New York for a fitting and then purchased additional pieces while she was here, spending about $250,000 in the process,’ Zang Toi added.

Though the theme for Spring 2007 might be the same as Fall 2006, the pieces are entirely different. Beginning with the ‘naughty schoolgirl look’ that was based on the school uniform, Zang Toi created a mini skirt with an overlap in front and pleats at the back. A pullover sweater with a cravat attached worked as the top and a snug fitting jacket complete the look.

Styled with knee high leggings and 3-inch heels shoes, any assistant of Miranda Priestly can proudly wear it without raising an eyebrow from the boss.

Sleeveless shift dresses can easily be paired with a knitted wrap that features embroidery or beading on its edges. Breaking new grounds in fashion, Zang Toi added ‘sleeves’ that are almost invisible when worn (you don’t even notice the sleeves at all). This was done so that the wrap will not fall when worn over the shoulders or off the shoulder.

One half of the collection was done in black and white, but Zang Toi did not forget that it is springtime and chose blush colors for the second half. Tailored shift dresses were embellished with tiny beads or mother-of-pearl sequins. Day jackets were given the same treatment, the open work trim done in the placket and collar.

Zang’s coup de grace is the final two pieces. The first, a gradient shading of sorbet shades in a strapless gown cut with a taut bodice then layered with ruffles on the skirt; the second one a salmon gown with continuous ruffles from the collar to the hemline.

Zang Toi

Zang Toi

Zang Toi

Zang Toi

Zang Toi