The toast to open Tadashi Shoji boutique ... Sometimes, it’s long dresses; another time, it’s cocktail dresses. It could be shoulder-baring styles, then long sleeves for another season.

A trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, was the starting point for Tadashi ... the dusty navy dress, given a bit of Edwardian appeal with a high neck and "czarina" sleeves. Shoji is best known for ...