Dinner Honoring His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Kelantan and Her Royal Highness, The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan United Nations Delegates Dining Room April 24, 2007 Written and Photographed by Wendy R. Williams (Opposite Photo - His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Kelantan and Her Royal Highness, The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan)

On April 24, 2007, the Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations and Mrs. Hamidon Ali gave a dinner at the United Nations to honor His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Kelantan and Her Royal Highness, The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan. The dinner was given to launch the Malaysia-Kelantan Food Festival in New York which took place from April 23 - May 4, 2007 in New York.

The evening started off with a non-alcoholic cocktail party (in deference to Malaysia's Islamic religion) featuring a native Malaysian band. The crowd was an eclectic mix of UN Diplomats, New York fashionistas and women attired in beautiful traditional Malaysian clothing. New York's art world was represented by art critic John A. Bennette and designer/artist Zoe Chen and photographer/artist Justin Guariglia. The world of fashion was represented by designer Pamela Rolland and Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Also present were Maxim Beloserkovsky and Irina Dvorovenko of the American Ballet Theater; Irina was wearing a dress by Zang Toi. Maxim and Irina had met Malaysian-born fashion designer Zang Toi at a charity benefit for the disabled for which Zang had designed a dress and matching wheelchair. Zang was born in Kelantan and was recently knighted by the Sultan of Kelantan.

The dinner party began with a formal procession of Malaysian heralds and dancing girls who marched into the dining room followed by the Sultan and Raja. The dancers then performed a traditional Malaysian dance for the Royal couple and the guests.

A traditional Malaysian dinner (delicious) was then served and during the dinner, the guests were treated to a fashion show by Zang Toi. Zang had designed several dresses, utilizing some gorgeous textiles that had been designed by The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan. The dresses were simple and elegant and could be worn anywhere in the world. There were designs that were suitable for parties in New York and designs that were modest enough to be worn at a wedding in Iran.

It was a thoroughly delightful evening.

Maxim Beloserkovsky and Irina Dvorovenko American Ballet Theater	Members of the Malaysian Women's Auxiliary

His Royal Highness, The Sultan of Kelantan and Her Royal Highness,
The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan and Fashion Designer Zang Toi

Justin Guariglia, John A. Bennette and Zoe Chen
guariglia-chen.com

Note: The following photos of the Zang Toi capsule fashion show were supplied by Zang Toi and are by photographers Eka Halim and Joe Schildhorn

Zang Toi Design

Zang Toi Design	Zang Toi Design
Zang Toi Design	Zang Toi Design

Models Wearing Zang Toi's Designs Pose with a
Model in Traditional Malaysian Dress