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