Piece from the Spring 2010 Collection

Most fashion shows that I’ve been to take place in a tent or large room/space of some sort. Let me tell you where I didn’t see the Zac Posen or Marc Jacobs shows: at their homes. And that’s why Sue Wong’s latest fashion presentation was so special: she hosted it at her exquisite home,  in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. Sue told me, “It’s the epitome of Hollywood retro glamour and its grand style and ornate details reflects my own romantic sensibilities.  Therefore, it serves as the perfect natural backdrop for my clothing, which is all about glamour, beauty, magic, and romance.  Additionally, rather than a typical runway, I wanted a more intimate setting for the guests to interact one-on-one with the models and clothing and for everyone to have a close-up, personal experience with the gorgeous details of each creation.” And frankly, if I had her digs, I’d show them off too! Here’s a bit about the house, the collection and the party to present the line.

Main Living Room

The House: The Cedars, as her estate is called, was commissioned by French director and screen writer Maurice Tourneur in 1921; and although he never lived there, plenty of other famous faces stayed at the storied manse, including Howard Hughes, Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Johnny Depp. Jimi actually wrote “Purple Haze” in the downstairs bathtub, which I hopped into just so I could write that. Also, the house was featured in Sunset Boulevard and Easy Rider.  The property, which seems unassuming from the street, boasts a pool, gardens, rooftop deck, views of the city and hills and a guest house. The inside feels very opulent, thanks to frescoed archways, gilded columns, ornate décor and stained glass windows. The home’s grandeur is the kind you see when touring a chateau in Europe, not in hipster-laden Los Feliz.

(See a video of the home here.)

The "Purple Haze" Tub

The Collection: Like her home, Sue’s latest collection oozes romance and opulence. “My influence was the beautiful era of the Belle Epoque,”  said Sue of her pieces, which included lavish gowns and flirty, feminine cocktail dresses. Using the palette of a Monet garden painting, she used rose and champagne shades for some of the dresses and decked them out with flowers, beading and feathers. She infused the line with Orientalism by using bright shades as well (turquoise, fuchsia and magenta). And finally, the wedding dresses in shades of champagne, ivory and ecru were richly decorated with beads.

Sue Flanked by Models

The Party: The theme was High Tea, so appropriately there was a specialty iced tea, scones, pastries and tea sandwiches served out by the pond. The bartenders also poured some of Sue’s own namesake wine (a Chardonnay, I think) – after trekking up multiple freeways to Los Feliz, I needed a few glasses of the chilled vin. Models displayed their looks while standing around the grand living room, while a harpist played Debussy music and other selections Sue compiled. Also in attendance was Bangkok-born, FIDM-schooled Polthakorn Viboonviriyawong. (Say that one time slow!) He designed all the magical jewelry that the models wore, as well as Sue herself. Guests toured the downstairs of the home, as well as the grounds, allowing an unprecedented access to a designer’s home for the media and fashionistas in attendance. And true to her goal, the show was much more intimate this way. If only this was de rigeur with all designers. If he were still designing, I’d like to go to Valentino’s estate for a presentation (but I wouldn’t be picky if Karl Lagerfeld or Donatella Versace invited me over). Which designer would you want to show a collection in the confines of his or her own home?