Take the Wong Way to Paris

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We couldn't afford a trip to Paris this year (oh, who are we kidding—this ever), but when we read that Sue Wong's fall 2010 dress collection was inspired by the city of l'amour, we started pretending that we were sipping wine and eating chocolate by the Seine, wrapped in elaborate tulle and beaded decadence. Which isn't too far from what the designer actually pulled together in the non-traditional presentation that took place in her downtown office. There were beautiful models strolling among the guests wearing beaded evening gowns, there were mannequins fitted with dresses scattered throughout, there were small inspiration boards describing various looks and there was chocolate and wine.

Although for some designers it can be hard to work with yards of tulle, organza, beads and embroidery without looking like a crazy prom explosion, Sue Wong manages to combine all the glamour of Paris and Old Hollywood into dresses that we wish we had somewhere to wear (other than a Sue Wong fashion show, that is—many attendees wore their favorite Wong looks).

Overall, the collection was inspired by landmarks and areas in Paris: Notre Dame, Champs Elysee, Moulin Rouge, Montmartre, Montparnasse, St. Germaine and Marais. The beading simulates the twinkling city lights, and some patterns reflect the sunbursts that bathe the city literally and architecturally.

Wong's dresses combined multiple textures to create intriguing looks instead of standard evening fare. Skirts that featured cascading layers of organza petals, all-over rosettes, rows of ostrich or pheasant feathers and metallic embroidering. Colors ranged from standard black to to lipstick red to emerald green. And just in case the dresses weren't shiny enough, models and dress forms wore sparkly jewelry, beaded handbags and feather headdresses to pull together the evening looks.

Seriously, we all need to work together to figure out a way to incorporate lovely gowns and sparkly accessories into everyday life in a way that doesn't reek of Miss Havisham-esque levels of creepy weirdness or require an actual trip to Paris. Who's with us?
· Sue Wong [Official Site]