Article by Alice Chin, Keen Lee, Linda Nguyen
Photo credit: AsianInNY/247Features.com
From Scotland With Love hosted a Cocktail Party and Fashion Show on April 8, 2013 at Stage 48 (605 W. 48th St, NY, NY.) Their annual charity event raises money for The Wounded Warrior Project, which provides aid and support to injured service members. This year, AsianinNY was honored to be one of the committee members and sponsor of the Scottish and Asian fusion themed fashion show, “The Scottish Lion Meets The Asian Dragon.” Here is a glimpse of the fabulous evening through the eyes of our AsianinNY & 247features.com reporters!
Celebrity guests, designers, models, and television personalities dressed in Scottish and/or Asian accented designs posed on the red carpet for photos. Our sister site 247features.com reporter Alice Chin spoke to Meghan Ory, actress on ABC’s “Once Upon a Time,” who was excited to walk her first runway show modeling for Vivienne Westwood. When asked whether she was nervous, she said having her husband by her side kept her calm. She had also practiced her walk before the show and received tips from her model friends.
On the other hand, the beautiful Kelly Hu, former model and actress, felt slightly nervous because it had been a while since she had walked a show. Kelly had just finished filming in Vancouver, and is currently shooting for a show called Arrow, among her many projects.
Designer Chloe Chen also posed on the carpet and told us how she was inspired by the Chinese garden window for one of her pieces.
As you walked around Stage 48, you could see guests wearing a mix of Scottish kilts, Asian embroidered clothing, or Scottish plaid. One guest wore a black leather kilt decorated with an Asian dragon designed by his sister-in-law, designer Meredith Lockhart, whose designs were part of the show. Guests sipped on special drinks with scotch and Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer while being served hors d’oeurves of smoked salmon salsa and stir-fry in a mini take-out boxes. Jars full of Tunnock’s Scottish chocolate caramel wafer were placed strategically at the bars for those craving sweets.
The fashion show kicked off with hosts Chairman Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll and Vice-Chairman Mr. Peter Morris introducing two representatives of the theme, an adorable lion-like Chow Chow, followed by traditional dragon dancers.
Gorgeous singer Baiyu Chen then captivated the audience with her soulful rendition of a Scottish melody.
Dr. Geoffrey Scott Carroll and Mr. Peter Morris introduced special guest, Sergeant Dan Nevins (ret.) US Army, a US Army paratrooper who had lost both his legs as a result of an IED in Iraq. He is now an executive with the Wounded Warrior Project.
Over 40 designers were represented in the show and plenty of stars modeled including athlete Steve Weatherword and Good Morning America anchor Josh Elliot.
Some of the well known Asian designers who contributed their designs to the show included Zang Toi, Vivienne Tam, Chloe Chen and Grace Chen. Zang Toi walked the show wearing a velvet black kilt of his own design, while the first Asian supermodel Ling Tan twirled in a dramatic House of Toi tartan gown.
The most exciting part of the show for 247Features.com reporter, Linda Nguyen, was to see special guest Arun Manilal Gandhi (Gandhi’s grandson) walk the down the runway stage wearing a special peace kilt .
Also among the models included the beautiful Miss Scotland, Nicole Treacy, who looked ravishing in red.
Midway through the show, Sarina Suno, the “Violin Diva” treated both the eyes and ears with her stunning looks and her passionate and energetic violin playing.
Models also wore pieces from Han Couture, featuring traditional, flowing Chinese pieces. The models looked elegant while walking down the runway carrying lotus flowers.
Models let their personalities shine as they strutted down the runway with attitude and grace. Some even ripped their tees and playfully flashed their kilts. Each piece was creatively designed and fashionable, while keeping in mind the theme of the Scottish kilt, plaid pattern and Asian accent. The show closed with a special appearance by Kelly Hu.
AsianInNY reporter Keen Lee’s favorite pieces from the show included a black velvet dress with a silver phoenix print and a purple dress with a silver dragon print by Zang Toi. While Linda really liked the amazing hoods from Chouchou.
AsianInNY was so honored to be able to present close to 15 models to walk at this charity event and also to showcase the very first Asian themed “From Scotland With Love” Fashion Show.
The night ended with an auction to fundraise for a very important cause. It was fantastic to see the many special guests who came out to support the show and enjoy the night with us. We had almost forgot it was a fashion show because everyone was having so much fun doing their “thang” up there! It was a night to remember!
For more about future shows, please visit: http://fromscotlandwithlove.net/
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Zang Toi is a true “Son of Scotland!” He wears his kilt proudly on a daily basis promoting Scotland and should be heralded as “One True Scotsman” living in New York! His kilts are made especially for him in Scotland by the same company that our Royal Prince Charles uses. Zang’s talents are extraordinary his designs always exuberant classy chic and beautiful! I’m proud to be Scottish and have someone like Zang Toi represent my country in his “sexy” kilts!!