Summer's Swan Song

After a summer full of beach parties at pop-up venues along the Malibu coastline, the Labor Day holiday meant the end of the road for the relaxed fetes at the French Connection beach house. Guests stopped by the brand's temporary P.C.H. home on Saturday to check out its fall line, trying on coats and suits on a sweltering day that saw temps top 100 in many parts of town (but stayed somewhat more manageable at the beach). Visitors could take home some favorite pieces, to be put to use when the weather turns more autumnal.French Connection's New York-based communications director Sarah Wetenhall was on-hand to discuss the brand with small, staggered groups of visitors. (Publicist Taryn Owens from Development Los Angeles suggests that it was only French Connection's beach house that escaped mention in the Los Angeles Times article about the nuisance-causing pop-ups because of its tendency to host smaller, more intimate gatherings, as well as for its close tie-in with the Art of Elysium charity.)

Guests noshed on light fare from Joan's on Third and sweets from Buttercake Bakery, served from a kitchen decked with uniquely arranged purple orchids from Samuel P. Flowers. Brocade Home decorated the house with its furniture (which will be auctioned to benefit the Art of Elysium), and Hawaiian Tropic made its products available throughout the house for sun protection.