Westward Bound
 White Haute: Smythson's Nancy Bag, which is an L.A. store exclusive through October. |
Having spent a large part of my formative years in Southern California before moving to Atlanta for college, Washington, DC for my first job, and now, to New York City, I am often hesitant to answer the straightforward question: "Where are you from?" While my allegiance often vacillates between both coasts--most often depending on season--I'm quite territorial about all that is to be savored in New York from its culture to its restaurants and shopping. California has my wholehearted fidelity when it comes to beaches--not even Southampton or Fire Island come close in my eyes. So when Deputy News Editor Debi Dunn (a loyal Californian, might I add), who edited our September L.A. Insert, posed the question "Is L.A. becoming more like New York, or is New York becoming more like L.A.?" I did some poking around when I was out there this spring.
Much to my rather selfish delight, I was pleased to see that many of the boutiques that have become institutions in New York are broadening their reach and tapping the starlet-pounded pavement of Rodeo Drive and North Robertson. West Third Street is becoming real destination for fashionistas in search of smaller-name designers and international labels, while even heavily trafficked North Robertson--made famous most notably by its appearances on the pages of US Weekly--is getting quite a facelift with Chanel and Scoop rumored to be shopping for retail space. Even the girls at Foley + Corinna are purportedly poking around looking for a perch, and Helmut Lang is opening on Melrose.
Herewith, some of the newest boutiques--all of whom have flagships in New York--to hold court in La-la land.
Intermix Talk about zeroing in on starlet central: Intermix's first West coast boutique is opening up on paparazzi-packed Robertson Boulevard, appropriately located across from lunch spot de jour, the Ivy, opens this month. The bright, airy space stocks pieces by established designers including Herve Leger, Matthew Williamson and Missoni, alongside Tinseltown labels like Jenni Kayne and Geren Ford (110 N. Roberston Blvd.; no number available at press time).
Moss New Yorkers have long reaped the benefits of museum-like Moss's expertly curated selection of housewares, furniture, and lighting. In August, Moss took its well-honed design aesthetic out West where the first store outside of New York opened around the corner from the furnishings go-to Pacific Design Center. Proprietor Murray Moss plans on continuing the trend of blurring the boundaries between museum, gallery, and store, in his L.A. location, where he'll include several limited edition pieces and one-of-a-kind objects. They'll be plenty of Swarovski crystals, too: An installation of 18, 8-foot high chandeliers by George Baladele are on view for the store's opening (8444 Melrose Avenue; 323-866-5260).
Opening Ceremony This ahead-of-the-curve outpost created quite a buzz in 2002 when it arrived in New York's SoHo neighborhood premised on the offbeat concept of having designers from different countries face-off in a nod to the tradition of the Olympic Games. Fashionistas, stylists, and, yes, celebrities, have a new place of worship, as California owners Humberto Leon and Carol Lim--known for their discerning eye--carry only the most exclusive lines. As expected, the store's first "rivalry" is between L.A. designers like Jasmin Shokran and Katy Rodriguez and New Yorkers Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler. Forward-thinking lines including Hussein Chalayan, Mayle, United Bamboo mingle alongside Kate Moss's line for Top Shop (the only place in L.A. the wallet-friendly duds are sold). Let the games begin (451 North La Cienega Blvd.; 310-652-1120).
Reiss London's chic sensibility arrived this spring when the Brit retailer opened this 12,000 square foot loft-like space on bustling Robertson Boulevard. Housed in a modern space with hardwood and concrete flooring, Reiss brings in new merchandise comes in weekly. A second floor houses a showroom and also a private dressing room for oversized sunglass wearing celebrities trying to fly under the radar (145 N. Robertson Blvd.; 310-276-0060).
Smythson The haute English stationer opens its doors to Beverly Hills chichi clientele on Rodeo Drive, no less. In addition to Smythson's traditional featherweight blue paper accessories, the store will also be stocking several items tailored to Hollywood royalty including a red pigskin notebook with "Film Notes" embossed on the cover, a "LA Notes" diary with tabs to create your own rolodex of favorite hotels, shops, beaches, and restaurants. And because no La-la land "It" girl is complete without an oversized hand bag, a white leather version of the "Nancy" is available exclusively in the Los Angeles atelier in honor of the store's West Coast arrival (222 North Rodeo Drive; 310-550-1901).
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