Los Angeles Fashion Week Spring '05: Sue Wong
Sue Wong carved her reputation with intricate detailing and vintage styling. But the designer’s taste for the exotic took her dresses far beyond their building blocks of silk and beading in her Spring 2005 runway show, held Oct. 28 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City.
For the 62-look show, Wong meshed inspirations from past periods of far-flung locations, such as the royal courts of Northern India, with the styles of silent-era Hollywood.
For the first stage of her romantic journey, Wong presented flowing, gypsy-inspired dresses and shawls. The designer went for dramatic excess with lush beading and embroidery and miles of fringe.
The collection was also marked by a taste for the experimental, including tests of new colors and styles. Wong injected electricity into some gowns with tropical shades, including emerald green, mint and turquoise.
She also tried out skirts in tie-dyed silk inspired by 1970s rock icon Stevie Nicks. —A.A.
