Inside Susan Holmes McKagan’s Velvet Rose Celebration at Sunset

Susan Holmes McKagan’s paperback debut, The Velvet Rose, was celebrated with a glittering soirée at the Sunset Marquis, drawing friends from fashion, music and publishing while supporting a local dog rescue [3].

Key takeaways

• The launch event took place on May 28, 2026 at the Sunset Marquis in West Hollywood [3].
• Guests included rock icons Alice and Sheryl Cooper, Slash, Duff McKagan, Jamie Hince, Korn’s James “Munky” Shaffer, actor Jerry O’Connell and bestselling authors Rosanna Pansino and Dana Frank [3].
• Proceeds from the paperback release benefited the Los Angeles dog rescue Wags & Walks [3].
• The Velvet Rose follows Scarlet, a 1990s painter‑model, who meets Johnny of The Westies, an up‑and‑coming band, in a story set across fashion capitals [1][2][4].
• The novel has been praised by Vogue and earned a spot on Book Soup’s bestseller list alongside authors such as David Sedaris [3].

A Night of Fashion, Rock and Philanthropy

The Sunset Marquis, an iconic West Hollywood hideaway, hosted the paperback launch as the sun set on a warm spring evening. Attendees mingled beneath palm trees, enjoying light bites while a heartfelt introduction and toast were delivered by bestselling author Dana Frank, who reflected on Holmes McKagan’s creative journey [3]. The guest list read like a cross‑section of cultural influencers: rock legends Alice Cooper, his wife Sheryl, Slash and Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, The Kills’ Jamie Hince, Korn guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer, actor Jerry O’Connell, and authors Rosanna Pansino and Dana Frank, among others [3].

Beyond the glamour, the event served a charitable purpose. A portion of the paperback’s proceeds was earmarked for Wags & Walks, a Los Angeles‑based dog rescue organization, reflecting Holmes McKagan’s long‑standing commitment to animal welfare [3].

The Story Behind The Velvet Rose

The Velvet Rose is a coming‑of‑age novel set in the early 1990s that follows Scarlet, a painter and high‑fashion model navigating the world’s major fashion capitals. Her journey brings her into contact with Johnny of The Westies, an emerging band on the brink of superstardom, leading to a narrative that blends fame, addiction, and romance [1][2][4]. Holmes McKagan drew on her own experiences walking runways for Chanel, Versace, Prada and other houses, while also conducting additional research to ensure authenticity [1]. Critics have described the book as “frequently injected with laugh‑out‑loud humor” and a “front‑row‑seat‑of‑fun debut” that captures the spirit of the 1990s [2][4]. Vogue praised her as a “Vogue cover model and compelling writer,” and the novel recently secured a place on Book Soup’s bestseller list alongside notable authors [3].

Why it matters

The launch underscores Holmes McKagan’s ability to bridge disparate creative worlds—high fashion, rock music and literature—while leveraging her platform for philanthropy. By aligning the paperback release with a charitable cause, the event highlights how cultural milestones can generate community impact. The continued buzz around suggests the novel will remain a touchstone for readers nostalgic for the 1990s and for those drawn to stories that fuse artistic ambition with rock‑era energy.