Why is Los Angeles full of beautiful people? Because it’s filled with the best boutiques and specialty shops. XAVIER TOBY gets behind the velvet rope, past security, and into places where you can splurge like a star—and hopefully end up looking like one.
Best of the Best: Rodeo Drive
The setting for Julia Roberts’ shopping spree in Pretty Woman, this world-famous strip gets as much attention as any starlet, and provides the finest and latest in high-end fashion with no concern for price. Over the three venerated blocks are retailers that include Armani, Gucci, Christian Dior, Chanel, Valentino and Bijan. Much of the jewellery and dresses for award ceremonies are purchased here.
Hipster Heaven: Melrose Avenue
From 50’s memorabilia to full-punk regalia, all stylish sub-cultures are covered in this highly individualized niche. Nestled between San Vicente Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, this is the place for vintage clothing and funky originals, with stores like Von Dutch and Agent Provocateur. It’s worth a visit even just for people-watching—there’s an endless parade of the pierced, tattooed and simply eye-catching set. A similar vibe can be found along Robertson Boulevard, between Beverly Boulevard and 3rd Street.
Dress like a Star: Hollywood’s Hand-Me-Downs
Go straight to the source at It’s a Wrap (3315 W. Magnolia Blvd, Burbank). Stocking a staggering array of clothing seen and used on US television shows and films, every item is marked with its place of origin. The extensive list includes Melrose Place, Seinfeld, Baywatch, and movies such as American Beauty and The Truman Show.
For classic style, visit Golyester (136 S. La Brea Avenue). A museum-like array of finely preserved vintage clothing and fabrics, the staff is only too happy to flip through stacks of Vogue from the 1930s-1950s, pointing out the lavish, star-studded original advertisements for various outfits in their stock.
The process of having a perfume personalized at Strange Invisible Perfumes includes questions like the customer’s preference in tea, coffee, wine, art, and literature.
The spiritual opposite of Rodeo Drive, Abbot Kinney Boulevard is an anti-establishment stretch that boasts the most diverse array of shops, galleries, and restaurants in Los Angeles. Locals still cheer that there are no franchises in the neighborhood. Well worth a look are Strange Invisible Perfumes (1138 Abbot Kinney Boulevard) where they custom-make scents to match your musk, and DNA Clothing Co. (411 Rose Avenue, Venice), an emporium of the coolest current styles.
Shop til you drop
The Fashion District (100 E 9th Street) has long been a hub of L.A.’s shopping scene, thanks to its variety of chic modern fashion and retro bargains. The 8th Street Textile Area offers fabrics from all over the world, while the historic New Mart (between Main and Los Angeles Streets) serves as the showroom for myriad up-and-coming designers.
Those of the opinion that classic never goes out of style should check out the eclectic and unique stores of 3rd Street (between La Cienega Boulevard and La Brea Avenue). For a top-shelf sample of the great American mall experience, visit The Americana at Brand (889 Americana Way, Suite 330, Glendale). More absorbing than the dancing fountain and open trolley for transport are its 75+ boutiques with an enviable mix of nationally known and unique retailers.
