Talking Labels: Zang Toi Fall 2013 Sneak Peek!

Zang Toi's work lets us travel through fashion.

Last season, he gave us a glimpse into his holiday in the South of France.  Since I am his eighth cousin twice removed, I am wondering where my invitation to the vacation went! Must have gotten lost in the mail...

I jest...

For Fall 2013, the buzz is that he is sticking to Europe, to the home of the Bolshoi Ballet, the Kremlin and Naomi Campbell's paramour (hmm are they still together??).

Yup.

Russia.

One guesses, and on February 13, all shall be revealed!

February 13 people.  Expect GORG to the MAX!

Here is a sneak peek of what to expect....

Tasty Teaser! IMPERIAL.

Emerald Beauty

Fur Goodness Sake!

All pictures © Zang Toi

House Of Toi

News: Vogue Thailand is a Roaring Success

Ya know, I could have sworn Singapore had its own Vogue edition.

Huffington Post now says that Vogue Thailand is the first Vogue for South East Asia, and I am not so sure that is true.

In any case, the consumers are lapping it up.  Vogue Thailand is scoring all the way to the bank.

Is it because the launch issue features a Thai model in a traditional chada designed by Philip Treacy?
It is because 70% of the content is already promised to be done in Thailand?
Is it because this is the first Vogue to have a male Editor in Chief Kullawit Laosuksri?

Khun K

Whatever it is Khun Kullawit promises that the future issues will have even more customized content, something that will set it apart from its Western counterpart.

Now that is something to rejoice about!

IQ 101: The Stuff in Your Stuff | Formaldehyde

This is part 3 in our little class about Chemicals of Interest. 

You have probably heard about this one in TV shows and movies. It is a potent chemical that knocks you out. But did you know that you can also find formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasing preservatives in shampoos and liquid soaps?

The purpose of this chemical is to prevent bacteria growth in water based products but they have also been linked to skin sensitivity and cancer.

What it does to you:

Cancer

• A known human carcinogen by many expert and government bodies, including the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.  

• A recent review of the literature on occupational exposures and formaldehyde shows a link between formaldehyde and leukemia.

• When formaldehyde is present in personal care products, people can be exposed by inhaling the formaldehyde that is off-gassed from the product, by ingesting it or by absorbing it through the skin. 

• Animal studies indicate that formaldehyde can be absorbed through the skin when formaldehyde-containing personal care products, including formaldehyde releasing preservatives, are applied.

Where it is found in your home:

• Nail polishes
• Nail glues
• Eyelash glues
• Hair gels
• Hair Smoothing Products
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby Soap
• Body Wash

The European Union restricts the use of formaldehyde in personal care products, and requires that products with formaldehyde or formaldehyde-release ingredients carry the label “contains formaldehyde.” Canada also restricts the concentration of formaldehyde, and it is banned from use in cosmetics and toiletries in both Japan and Sweden.

Check the following names to see if they are in your stuff:

• Quaternium-15
• Dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin
• Imidazolidinyl urea
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
• 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bronopol)
• Formalin
• Methylaldehyde
• Oxymethyline
• Methylene Oxude
• Formic Aldehyde
• Phenol Formaldehyde

Since low levels of formaldehyde can cause health concerns – at levels as low as 250 parts per million, and even lower levels in sensitized individuals – the slow release of small amounts of formaldehyde are cause for concern.

The concern is so real that Johnson and Johnson pledged to remove formaldehyde from all their products last year. While this is good news and a signal to others to move in the right direction, consumers must know that FMCG companies tend to play the name game when it comes to ingredients. While it may be true they have left out formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasing preservatives are a different story. The truth only comes out in lab tests.