zang toi

New York based Malaysian fashion designer Zang Toi has signed on as The Encore sponsor of The School of American Ballet’s Winter Ball, taking place in New York on March 9th, 2009. In anticipation of the event, he has provided us with this exclusive preview of the beautiful gown he designed for Event Chair and philanthropist Pamela Joyner.
He describes Ms. Joyner’s couture gown as a silk and stain strapless “Diva Gown” with silver beading and embroidered French chantily lace. Zang has also designed the gown that Pamela Joyner’s daughter, Michelle Giuffrida, will wear.
The Winter Ball is The School of American Ballet’s highest profile annual benefit, and this year will serve as the School’s celebration of their 75th Anniversary. This glamorous black-tie dinner dance at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater dance is attended by 400 of New York City’s socialites and philanthropists, including event chairmen Chelsea Clinton, Stacey Bendet Eisner, Pamela Joyner, Coco Kopelman and New York City Ballet dancers Sara Mearns and Amar Ramasar.
There will be wonderful showing of San Francisco attendees including: Susan Dunlevy, Dr. Deepa Pakianathan, Janice & Jonathan Zakin, Fran Streets, Sandy Barrett, Alison Carlson, and Dayle Haddon, among others.
To honor the School’s 75th Anniversary, Van Cleef & Arpels has created a special Award of Excellence named after Claude Arpels, whose friendship with SAB co-founder George Balanchine inspired the ballet “Jewels” in 1967. The first award, which will become annual, will be presented to George Balanchine posthumously and will be accepted by SAB Artistic Director Peter Martins.
The Encore is the Winter Ball’s after-party. After dinner, 200 of the city’s philanthropic chic young professionals join the Winter Ball for dancing and dessert. A highlight of the Winter Ball is a pièce d’occasion performed by the School’s students, choreographed by Adam Hendrickson (SAB alumnus and New York City Ballet Soloist).
Drew Altizer will be in New York to photograph the event, so check back later to see more from this wonderful evening.