Aussie designer to the stars Richard Tyler lists stunning LA estate for $18 million

Richard Tyler is a name synonymous with exquisite tailoring and bold, high-end fashion.

The Australian-born couturier, who grew up in a working class family in the industrial Melbourne suburb of Sunshine, has called California home since the 1970s.

The son of a seamstress, Tyler moved to The Golden State with hopes of starting a high-end fashion business. 

By the 1990s, he had become one of Hollywood’s leading fashion designers, with big name celebrities including Cher, Elton John, Julia Roberts, Diana Ross, Diane Keaton and Oprah donning his garments.

That same era, Tyler and his wife, former actress Lisa Trafficanti, bought one of the grandest houses in Los Angeles – a stunning heritage-listed Italianate villa in South Pasadena. 

The mansion, Villa Arno, is the epitome of old-money glamour.

It was first built in 1917 by Reginald Davis Johnson, an architect who pioneered the Mediterranean design style in the US.

The Tylers are the sixth owners of the estate.

The original owner, a wealthy doctor, lavished US$15,000 on the build, or about US$376,716.80 ($575,000) in today’s money.

Today, the house is a Tuscan-inspired sanctuary in the heart of the city and it’s for sale. 

Inside, original twentieth-century features abound, from Palladian doors and windows to marble fireplaces. 

“Owned by Pasadena luminaries for nearly a century, and now the home of an acclaimed fashion designer and his wife since 1998 – the 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom primary residence features voluminous space and height throughout with equally scaled original Palladian doors and windows which provide an abundance of light and air,” the listing with The  George Penner Team reads.

There is a dreamy library with sea-green walls and floors of dark timber. 

A crisp white kitchen and living room follows, while the upstairs boudoir is decked out in peaches-and-cream. 

“The second level is divided into two distinct zones accessed from the central landing. Luxurious primary suite – with separate bedroom, dressing and sun rooms and walk-through closet and bath,” the listing reads. 

“Opposite is an additional bedroom suite with bath ensuite and adjoining sitting room, as well as an executive bedroom with bathroom and closet ensuite.”

Sweeping lawns, formal hedges, swaying palms and an oversized swimming pool make the garden the perfect summer retreat. 

Villa Arno is listed for sale with a guide price of $US12.5 million ($18.3 million). 

Agent George Penner is handling the sale.