DIY: Crystallized French Riviera Floral

Welcome to the first project in my runway DIY series. This crystallized French Riviera floral brooch/clip was inspired by Zang Toi's Spring Summer 2013 runway collection. You can read our exclusive interview with the designer about his creative process in designing his sparkling embroideries right here.

For this project you will need:
-3 or 4 Swarovski 4739 200x160 MM crystals
-About 50 Swarovski Crystallized Sew-on crystal 4mm 3128 stones
-1 yard of silk organza in the color of your choice.
-Beading needle and matching thread
-Dual brooch clip (I order mine from Trimweaver)
-Flower template (Download the one I created here).  

Fold the organza as many times as you can and pin the flower template to the top. You can print the flower template in different sizes if you like.

Cut around the flower template for lots of layers of flowers.You don't have to spend too much time getting the ridges exactly right.  It looks more natural to have some irregularity.

This is totally optional, but you can shape your cut organza flower petals for more depth.  I have antique French flower irons, but you can also just shape them with a ball iron (available at craft stores) or the tip of your regular iron. If you do you a regular iron, you can try pressing the petals down the middle, or stretching and pressing around the top edges for shape and dimension.

Layer all of your flower petals on top of each other, but rotate them slightly with each layer for more depth and coverage. Use a few tacking stitches (cut and stitch to a circle in stiff fabric if your organza is too flimsy). 

Embroider 3 or 4 of the Swarovski 200x160 stones in the center. Then embroider the small 4mm sew-on stones in an irregular manner in between and around the larger stones. Over lap and sew some stones on top of the first layer of 4mm stones for a clustered, rich look.

After all of the Swarovski crystals are embroidered, stitch the flower to the brooch clip through the center.

You're done!

Product was provided by Swarovski Elements for use of this project.

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NY FASHION WEEK: Zang Toi Spring 2013

Zang Toi was all about romance at his NY Fashion Week runway show.  The designer was inspired by the French Riviera during his stay at Hotel de cap Eden Roc.

The designer has always been humble, despite it fiercely loyal following of the wealthiest clients and celebrities (Kirstie Alley was backstage cheering him on).  He also has grown his successful business to include licenses for shoes, makeup and fine jewelry, and now a cafe on 57th street.

His collection for Spring 2013 had rich, jeweled embroidery, the most luxurious silks, expertly tailored jackets.  The colors were an icy lilac and snowy ivory, butter yellow with rich black.  Silhouettes ranged from full ballgowns, to tapered fishtail gowns, voluminous sleeves, pinstriped tailored shorts and capri pants.  There were sexy minis to demure 3/4 length sleeve knee length dresses.

Zang Toi always treats everyone around like royalty, (and some of them actually are).  He calls his staff "angels", and I always see them wearing "Team Toi" shirts backstage.  When I am at his studio, his staff is protective of him.  His models are seasoned women of the runway, who show off his clothing more beautifully more than any ingenue.  He runs rehearsals of lighting for the benefit of the photographers before the show, right before he sends out meal boxes to keep everyone's energy up.  For the guests of his fashion shows, they are treated to a beautiful show and gift bags containing a collection of his Zoya nail polishes taken directly from the collection colors.

The most predictable moment of the evening?  The standing ovation at his final bow.

Photos by David TW Leung

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