Haute Scene, News | August 7, 2017

Weekend Update: St. Germain Hosts A Secret Garden-Inspired Bash Where Alcohol Grows On Trees

Haute Scene, News | August 7, 2017
Olivia Culpo
Olivia Culpo

Photo Credit: BFA

The most magical event of the last week in L.A. was the chic, floral and French-inspired Maison St. Germain soiree.

Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese

Photo Credit: BFA

A star studded crowd including Olivia Culpo, Dita Von Teese, Eric Balfour, Natasha Bedingfield and Michelle Trachtenberg joined landscape artist and the brand’s Creative Director Lily Kwong, who turned a botanical fantasy into a reality at the Maison’s Los Angeles debut. Maison St-Germain is a celebration of St-Germain, the world’s first French liqueur made from delicate elderflower blossoms handpicked at the height of their beauty, during a maddeningly ephemeral growing season once a year. Kwong’s romantic-yet-whimsical journey honored the joyful decadence of summer indulgence, with an opportunity for guests to enjoy a rare fleeting moment of exuberance in the spirit of 1920s années folles.

Lily Kwong, Rocky Barnes
Lily Kwong, Rocky Barnes

Photo Credit: BFA

Given that the invite-only shindig was held at the Houdini Estate, it made sense that elements of magical realism and mystique were incorporated throughout the five-acre property for guests to explore, layered with performances by bespoke magicians, a stimulating performance byNo)one. Art House improvisational sound art by Patrick Belaga and a secluded section for Celtic tarot reading

Maison St. Germain
Maison St. Germain

Photo Credit: BFA

The bohemian-chic crowd was dotted with additional guests such as Elizabeth Henstridge, Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, Becca Tobin, Ian Bradley, Shaun Ross, Tamara Taylor, Ashley Hart, Claudia Lee, Rocky Barnes, Rumi Neely and Ana Calderon, who mingled throughout the property, taking selfies inside the Maison made completely of illuminated flowers, while sipping on specialty cocktail pairings by St-Germain Global Ambassador Camille Ralph Vidal.

St. Germain grows on trees
St. Germain grows on trees

Kwong, who dressed in straight-off-the-runway Valentino, and artist Cleo Wade danced the night away to beats by Chelsea Leyland, while fabulous French hors d’oeuvres were served throughout. Following the event, all florals were donated to Simon Birch’s 14th Factory Gallery in Downtown LA to accompany the ‘Garlands’ installation’s disassembly, creating a one-day pop-up floral shop experience, where beautiful flowers will be gifted to the community of Lincoln Heights and the greater Los Angeles.

Chelsea Leyland, Lily Kwong
Chelsea Leyland, Lily Kwong

Photo Credit: BFA

HOW TO MAKE LILY KWONG’S ST. GERMAIN-INSPIRED COCKTAIL, THE LABYRINTHE 

MAISON ST-GERMAIN LOS ANGELES DEBUT: HOSTED BY LILY KWONG AT THE HOUDINI ESTATEPhoto Credit: BFA

1 oz Cazadores Blanco Tequila
1 oz Kaffir lime infused St-Germain French elderflower liqueur
3/4 oz Noilly Dry
1/4 oz of fresh lime juice
5 dashes chartreuse
Shaken – coupette – garnish with kaffir lime leaf

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