Best Dressed Starlet Lights Up the Stage From New York to Sydney

At four years of age Sarah Chang picked up her first violin. By six she'd been accepted at Julliard and at eight was playing with the New York philharmonic. She celebrated turning ten by releasing her first album and spent her teens touring the European concert circuit. 

Now at thirty Chang is a seasoned professional, widely regarded as one of the greatest violinist's performing today. She is also a fanatical fashionista. I caught up with the music maestro as she was being dressed for an upcoming performance by Toronto designer to the stars Rosemarie Umetsu.

Fashion is my weakness admits Chang who, I suspect given her achievements, has a list of foibles shorter than most. I love the gowns, the elegance and the glamor of being on stage. I dress to match the composer, which means as much as I'd love to wear a mini-skirt I can't really do that performing Brahms!

Chang commissions many of her gowns from London-based designers the Kruszynska sisters, and tries to avoid wearing the same design in the same city. However the world of hand-crafted ensembles and packed auditoriums isn't always smooth sailing, as Chang explains:

Something that looks great doesn't always work onstage. Straps fall off and I can't tell you how many times I've got high heels stuck onstage." Chang laughs as she recalls her first performance at the Sydney Opera House I was eighteen at the time and excited about my new Doire, a sky blue concert gown done up with tones of gorgeous but tiny buttons. I changed them to snap buttons to save time, but when I got onstage and took my first bow all the buttons flew off! I waved at the conductor but he started playing and I had to play the whole piece while trying to do up the back!"

Wardrobe mishaps aside, Chang is usually resplendent in gowns that allow her to express herself through more than just her music. Her elegant designs add both a touch of old-world glamor and modern chic to world that has traditionally has been defined by stuffy stereotypes.

Sarah Chang is neither. And in-between her hectic schedule how does the former child prodigy spend her time? Shopping and sleep.

She is like us after all. 

Sarah's new album

Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 / Brahms: Violen Concreto 2009

Is available now

Daniel Kuseta
		About the author:
		Originally from Australia and now based in Toronto, Dan’s on a one-man mission to try (and hopefully taste) the best this city has to offer. Whether it's the latest launch, must-see show or a new take on tamales, follow Dan as he shares his experiences of Toronto with you.
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