Fall Collection from Sue Wong adds glamour to Fashion Week

L.A. has a more West Coast laid-back style for Fashion Week, compared to the fashion industry festivities that play out on the catwalks of New York, Paris, London, and Milan. It has a more wearable vibe to it, as witnessed by those attending the runway shows around town.

California casual seems to be the mainstay of the 2012 L.A. season. But thanks to the acclaimed international designer Sue Wong, true elegance and glamour was added to the mix.

Wong is devoted to putting “beauty, magic, and transformation” into her designs. She certainly has done that with her new “Autumn Sonata” inspired Fall 2012 collection which she unveiled during fashion week.

Instead of a traditional runway show, Wong showcased her collection during an exclusive champagne lunch at her private Atelier in Los Angeles.

The romantic designs were seen on models who posed on pedestals and mingled with fashion industry insiders, influential V.I.P.s and celebrities who were on hand. It was a great way to see the details of the bead-work and embroidery that adds so much to every ensemble. That’s why Sue Wong’s fabulous soirée is always among the “must attend” events of the season.

Guests included top fashion elites, stylists, and entertainment notables such as Latarsha Rose (The Hunger Games), Brooke Burns (Melrose Place), Mackinlee Waddell (GCB), Bai Ling (Wild Wild West), Romi Dames (Hanna Montana) and Kate Linder (The Young & the Restless). All previewed the collection as well as screened the worldwide premiere of the designer’s virtual runway fashion show, directed by Steve Kahn.

The new designs used the Autumn’s colors. They displayed rich, warm earthen hues. Wong notes that “Autumn’s romantic melancholy have long inspired the works of artists from the sonnets of John Donne to the paintings of Claude Monet.” So too, the beauty and harmony of the season inspired her. Wong says, “I love the fiery, dazzling hues of Autumn. Nature becomes an artist with a brilliant brush to color all trees and glorious sunsets. Each leaf becomes a rich, exotic flower. There is an earthiness about Autumn that is beautiful, and reminds us of our own poetic mortality.”

Sue Wong’s homage to the season features her signature intricate couture embellishments including hand-beadwork, floral embroidery, and skirts of taffeta leaves, petals of organza, and satin flowers on gowns.

The gowns were breathtaking, and they were complemented by spectacular jewelry from Vilaiwan. The models had their hair and makeup done by Shahen Vardan, with shoes by Michael Antonio, and stocking by Leg Luxury. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa was also a sponsor of the dazzling showcase.

Actress Brooke Burns, who was wearing a Sue Wong ensemble, was gushing, “I love that Sue isn’t afraid of glamour.”