Sue Wong: Homage to the Romantic 1920s
By Heide Winkenwerder
Photos by Javier Mateo

LOS ANGELES, Apr 1, 2004/FW/ --- When we were thinking that Sue Wong’s Spring 2004 was a hard act to follow; the designer’s Fall 2004 collection “Ode a l'Odelisque” surpassed all expectations.

As with the Spring 2004 show, we can now see clearly that Ms. Wong is particularly fond of the romantic 1920's, when women were just discovering their freedom and had just begun to discover their allure, sexiness and substance.

This season, the prolific designer gave the fashion flock l'Odalisque, Marrakech, Bolero, Segovia, Zelda, Adam & Eve, Divas Noir and a Wedding Finale.

Divided in eight parts that are all full of artistry and creative designs, the collection had the house applauding practically all 61 exits.

The show opened with a Saharan belly dancer that came down the runway dancing and enchanting the onlookers as well as the photographers at the pit as she stops every so many steps performing seemingly exclusively for the person who happens to be seated in front of her.

Although it is a difficult task to pick out a single outfit from the entire show, the opening exit was a devore silk bustier sarong gown with exotic beading immediately followed by a black short silk deco-beaded tunic with beaded fringe hem and silk harem pants.

With that being said, you can plainly see that Sue Wong loves the challenge of beadwork detailing in various forms.

She showed beading with semi-precious stone, beadwork on embroidery, she even added fur trim on her silk embroidered rococo pieces.

The designer also showed us to use the matching shawl as a head wrap that could carry the ensemble and really give it that even enhanced look with the beading that matches the entire outfit without taking anything away from it.

With Ms. Wong's creations giving a continuity of couture, it will not be long when a Hollywood celebrity is asked "who are you wearing?” and the answer will very simply be, Sue Wong.

This designer may even have her eyes on doing Haute Couture in Paris someday, and why not?

But lets talk about the "Wedding Finale". The last three from the collection was just enough with a platinum beaded scallop dress with multi-tiered skirt and train, followed by a vintage briday dress with battenberg lace embroidery and 3-D beaded flowers and finally an ivory long halter 3-D beaded floral gown with fishtail crinoline, ivory silk kimono coat with 3-D beaded organza flowers.

At the end of the show, as with the Spring show, Sue Wong had the audience on their feet as the models came out for a last look, stood there in their picturesque clothing.

Sue Wong

Sue Wong

Sue Wong

Sue Wong

Sue Wong