L.A. Fashion Week Spring 2010: Sue Wong
Sue Wong’s opulent home was the perfect setting to showcase her Spring 2010 collection. The designer, who resides at The Cedars estate in Los Feliz, held high tea at her historic mansion on Oct. 8 to preview her newest looks for the season. Guests sipped white wine and green tea and nibbled on cucumber sandwiches and desserts while previewing the collection. The intimate presentation set models against the glamorous backdrop, complementing the special-occasion niche for which Wong designs. One could almost picture an event in the splendor of the quintessential Hollywood-glamour home, which has housed and entertained an elite crowd over the years. According to Wong, Howard Hughes once played the grand piano in the solarium and Marilyn Monroe and Errol Flynn used to party there. The period home—with ornate architectural details, gilded columns and hand-painted frescoes—is much like Wong’s highly detailed design aesthetic. It’s easy to see how Wong is inspired by the opulence and beauty of her surroundings when creating her designs.
This season, Wong infused the optimism of the Belle Eacute;poque turn-of-the-century era into the collection. The designer said she wanted to maintain a light-hearted perspective in spite of the down-turned economy. “I just really think that instead of going into the dark, that we should really have a sense of optimism,” explained the designer. “I think that ultimately that’s how I have really survived personally and also as a designer for all of these decades,” she said.
Wong translated her optimistic outlook into her clothing by utilizing airy translucent colors and bright explosive colors in her classic silhouettes. Ombreacute; color patterns and bold hand-painted floral prints added to the effect. The palette ranged from pretty pastel shades of rose, aqua and yellow to turquoise, fuchsia and black. Wong’s signature embroidery, beading and feathers completed the look. Standout pieces included a strapless champagne dress decorated with delicate petal-like fringe, a long yellow gown with intricate beading, and a beautiful black lace gown with hand-beaded details and elongated fringe.—N. Jayne Seward
