NEW YORK-JUNE 16: CHOCHENG Atelier Opening on Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 51 East 63rd Street, between Madison & Park Avenues, New York City, NY. Designer Cho Cheng opened his much anticipated design salon --CHOCHENG -- in an elegant town house in New York City’s Upper-East Side tonight, to an intimate group of friends and supporters. The Atelier, which will cater to clientele who appreciate couture fashion, beautiful hand crafted workmanship and exclusive design translated into ready-to-wear, is reminiscent of the great couture houses of the late 1930’s, with celadon walls and white furnishings in a modern take on the Rococo period. A profusion of cascading phalenopsis orchids with artistic grass flourishes fromFLOWERS OF THE WORLD adorned the Atelier and the classic but modern arrangements were the perfect corollary to Cho Cheng’s designs – simple and elegant with unexpected flourishes and exquisite detail. Guests savored hors d’oeuvres and pastries (including Payard’s famous macarons) from TASTINGS and the tastemaker’s favorite VEUVE CLICQUOT champagne while they perused the Fashionista hosts Gillian Hearst Simonds and Lucy Sykes Rellie greeted guests with aplomb in their CHOCHENG jackets; Gillian wore a long, ivory silk weave jacket accented with gold buttons over a slinky chartreuse dress while Lucy sported a black, structured silk smoking jacket with a ruffled lapel over jeans and a t-shirt in a show of downtown savvy. Meanwhile, finance powerhouse and philanthropist Alexandra Lebenthal sported the red version of the smoking jacket worn with a matching miniskirt that stopped traffic on her way to the Atelier. Reflecting the designer’s versatility, Susan Shin swept through wearing a CHOCHENG lace kimono over a black sequined sheath. Long time clients Beatrice Pei and I.M. Pei’s granddaughter, Olivia Pei (who commissioned a red and gold metallic gown for her debut at the Crillon Ball), congratulated the young designer while celebrity fans such as Bebe Neuwirth commented that his designs were “a work of art – each one unique and fabulous.” She didn’t find anything that would be very Morticia-like for her new role in the upcoming Addams Family Broadway musical but admired a pink gown that she thought was very “Jackie O” - that is, until she saw a black satin qipao sheath that Morticia would die for… Other fans such as stylist Amanda Ross, designer Miguelina Gambaccini, “Well Schooled” author Anisha Lakhani, tea and lifestyle maven Tracy Stern, CBS’s Alison Harmelin, Fox News’ Kimberly Guilfoyle Villency, and InStyle publisher Connie Anne Phillips, joined in praising the designer who was named in March 2008 as one of China’s leading fashion designers – a recognition shared with fellow native sons Derek Lam, Peter Som and Phillip Lim. Only 23 years old but already an acclaimed designer, Cho Cheng has an elite following, from celebrities to socialites to prominent businesswomen, as reflected in the guests that attended. He also has been heralded as master of red carpet glamour, dressing notable actresses as well as an international social set -- fashion followers include Goldie Hawn, Nicole Kidman, Marcia Gay Harden, Bebe Neuwirth, Phyllis Newman, Nancy Regan, Maggie Rizer, Valesca Guerrand-Hermes and Tinsley Mortimer, to name a few. Cho Cheng debuted his ready-to-wear CHOCHENG Fall/Winter 2009 collection at Bryant Park during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in February 2009. With the opening of the Atelier in June 2009, Cho Cheng can now provide his distinctive signature designs to clients who appreciate personal attention and shopping in an intimate setting. The Atelier also will serve as a showroom providing retailers seasonal collections. PHOTO CREDIT:Copyright ©Manhattan Society.com 2009 by Christopher London | tel: Private |e-mail: ChrisLondon@manhattansociety.com PLEASE NOTE: More photos, notes and id's to come