Susana Mercedes
The New MartSuite 212(213) 489-9292information@susanamercedes.com
For some fashion designers, simplicity is the height of elegance. For Susana Mercedes, beauty can be found in the most unique spaces.
The veteran Los Angeles designer opened a 100-square-foot showroom for her self-named fashion business, Susana Mercedes, on Oct. 8. The showroom was leased from business incubator and nonprofit education group Fashion Business Inc.
Mercedes opted to give the space, formerly an office, a completely new look with a simple but elegant design. A driftwood table, purchased from a St. Vincent De Paul thrift shop, sits beside a small ottoman, which also serves as storage space. Olive-beige–painted walls serve as a simple backdrop to Susana Mercedes’ highly detailed collection.
The showroom carries Mercedes’ restored vintage line. This line offers one-of-a kind pieces from the 1950s to 1980s that are restored by the designer. She said that she gives the pieces added sparkle by putting special details on the restored clothes, such as a 60-yearold buttons made in Paris.
The showroom also offers the Susana Mercedes Limited Edition line. The line features tops, dresses, coats and pants that will be made in limited runs of no more than 100 pieces. The clothes are inspired by the silhouettes of the mid-20th century, but Mercedes said that she gives them a fashion-forward look with details such as an unfinished hem or cowl neck. Wholesale price points are $399 for tops and $1,200 for hand-beaded tuxedo pants.
Now that the showroom is open, Mercedes said that her next step will be to place her collection in high-end boutiques. —Andrew Asch
