Zang Toi knows his woman well. For fall he sent out an elegantly chic collection inspired by the beauty of Venice and the polished, fashionable women who take in the city’s arts and culture. As opera music played, his models walked the runway in looks that were dramatic, but in very wearable ways. For day, Toi showed expertly tailored pantsuits, at times with a fur lapel; a luxurious suede twinset; a sculpted coat, and a sheath dress with a lace medallion illusion.
The designer displayed his technical skills with Fortuny pleats on everything from evening dresses to a tunic-and-trouser combo. It was all done in sophisticated black and neutrals, which he took up an octave with his decadent touches on eveningwear. Here, Toi wowed with a fur-cuffed jacquard opera coat, a hand-embroidered Empire-waist gown and, for the finale, a dramatic coat with a hand-beaded nightscape of La Serenissima.