Bon Anniversaire, Vanessa!
"I think I'll be leaving here with some new, good girlfriends," said Parisian designer Vanessa Bruno, who's in Los Angeles this week celebrating the first birthday of her very first U.S. store — which just happens to be in L.A. She was talking about the guest list at last night's celebratory dinner party at Lucques in West Hollywood, just a few doors down from her bright, airy boutique.
And Bruno's new friends aren't just any old people met on the street, but some of the most stylish celebrities — poster girls who sport her perfectly low key, feminine gear to film premieres, hot spots and music festivals around the world. And last night was no different, with dinner guests Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth and Molly Sims all wearing pieces from Bruno's past and future collections.
"Vanessa has always felt so L.A.," said Alexia Suid, Bruno's U.S. business partner who moved to L.A. from Paris two years ago to open the Melrose Avenue boutique. "It never really crossed our mind to go to New York first, because L.A. felt so right."
THE COOL CLUB: From left, Molly Sims, Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth and Mena Suvari clad in Vanessa Bruno at a dinner celebrating the French designer's one year in L.A. (Donato Sardello/ Wireimage)
The store itself has made its mark on our local shopping scene, with the above mentioned celebrities and the likes of Reese Witherspoon and Kirsten Dunst frequently snapped perusing Bruno's racks for precision-cut blazers, sophisticated chiffon party frocks and understated leather totes that make one want to hop the first flight to Paris. Totes are actually a brand staple, with the square canvas and sequin number that debuted nearly 15 years ago still "selling every five minutes" in Europe, according to Suid.
Also at the intimate, candle-lit dinner were superstylists Brad Goreski and Nicole Chavez — the latter displaying a beaming pregnancy glow — actress Mena Suvari and model and Vogue darling Jessica Joffe.
And Bruno, the perfect hostess, made every effort to visit with everyone. She also acted every bit the proper birthday girl, dictating exactly how she planned on spending the rest of her time in town with her gallerist husband: "Tonight was the big plans," she said, smiling. "Now, we relax."