AliShopsBlog.com - The Twin Cities Shopping Blog

 Got to roam around the Galleria in Edina last week with fashion designer Zang Toi - you might know him from "Real Housewives of New York City," if not from the $8,000 dress department at Nordstrom. Celebs worship his work so much, they actually pay for it: Sharon Stone has the $6,000 cashmere and wool hand stitched wrap in 10 colors. Zang was in town for three days to do a trunk show and a party with his good friend Kevin Quinn of StyledLife. (He went home to NYC for the weekend and returned again on Monday for an appearance at Nordstrom Mall of America - talk about sharing some love with the little apple!) Now, I've shopped with picky, privileged characters, but Zang was a whole new level of elite: he really buys nothing off the rack. Except at Hermes. His life is entirely customized, from his gym shorts (velvet) to his phone, lip balm and house key (all silver). He was totally game to walk the mall and browse...just entirely uninterested. The line of the day: "It's fine for other people - not for Zang Toi." But he says it with such an infectious laugh, you can't help but be charmed. After I picked my chin up off the floor when he told me he'd never been to Target (should have marched him across the street on the spot), I asked Zang how and where he gets his basic, household stuff - toilet paper, tin foil. He had no idea. That's what assistants are for. But there's no assistant manning his Facebook page. Zang has recently discovered social networking and despite his caviar taste in life, online, he's willing to slum it with the masses. Read all about our visit to Len Druskin and beyond in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Sunday, Nov. 1.