Indie label Thvm Atelier opens boutique in downtown Los Angeles
Anyone hunting for an educated representation of indie fashion in L.A. would be wise to swing by the new Thvm boutique, which opened last week in downtown’s Historic Arts District.
Brian Kim and Olga Nazarova, founders and designers of the denim-centric Echo Park label Thvm Atelier (formerly known as, and still pronounced as, Them Atelier) launched the shop. They’ve corralled their favorite brands inside a 100-year-old former paint factory, an industrial space sporting a weathered patina that needed little refining, Kim said.
Collections stocked at the store include L.A.’s Endovanera, Cerre, Annie Costello Brown, Cast of Vices and, naturally, the house brand — which specializes in jeans designed to fit well and have a look of “natural wear” instead of “the artifice of manufactured distress,” said Kim, who founded the label in late 2009 with Nazarova. (The pair also publish a companion biannual art and fashion magazine, Thvm Rag.)
Non-L.A. brands at the new outpost include jewelry label Arielle de Pinto, Assembly New York, Moonspoon Saloon and Raquel Allegra.
A high degree of craftsmanship was paramount to choosing the lines for the shop, Kim said, adding, “The brands we carry reflect a category of designers that are independent and work from inspired intentions. They produce their pieces in a very intimate way that resonates with a feeling of uniqueness and hand-crafted quality.”
That handcrafted feel extends to the store itself, a multi-room space with a low ceiling that Nazarova likened to a mine. Each line is showcased separately in its own handmade vignette.
Endovanera, for example, hangs among dark steel and glass that looks bloodstained; while the real-object (cigarette butts, bottle caps) jewelry of Cast of Vices sits inside a rusted medical cart. Talk about dark and lovely.
Thvm Atelier, 1317 Palmetto St., Los Angeles. Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
LAUNCHING
Vans X Jesse Jo collection Friday: Jesse Jo Stark — the 19-year-old blogger, fashion muse and daughter of the founders of the Chrome Hearts brand — has teamed up with Vans for an irreverent collection of clothes, shoes and accessories that are a little bit punk rock, a little bit country. Think lace-lined denim hot pants, an American flag-print backpack and lace-up Vans with clunky creeper soles. Prices range from $6 to $58.
EVENTS
A Current Affair vintage fair Saturday and Sunday: The third edition of mega-vintage marketplace A Current Affair takes place at the Cooper Design Space, featuring collectible clothing and accessories from top local dealers. Admission is $10.
Cooper Penthouse, 860 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles. 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
https://www.itsacurrentaffair.com
Joan Kors appearance Wednesday: Designer Michael Kors hosts an event with his mother, Joan Kors, a former model who works for her son’s brand. View the label’s spirited spring collection and see first-hand where the “Project Runway” judge got his penchant for black-on-black dressing.
Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 759-1900. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Roopal Patel appearance Thursday: Meet Neiman Marcus’ senior market editor for fashion accessories, Roopal Patel, as she presents the latest trends in spring 2011 accessories.
Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 759-1900. 11:30 a.m.
