Chloé opens a boutique on Melrose Place
Chloé, the French luxury house, is devoted to casual separates with enough edge to appeal to young women. Its casual looks, what the French refer to as “day wear,” are Los Angeles day-to-night wear. As a matter of fact, the line looks so right for an L.A. woman’s closet -- sheer blouses paired with shorts, one-shoulder dresses -- that you wonder why Chloé, which just opened its first proper Los Angeles boutique on Melrose Place, took so long to get here.
Founded by Gaby Aghion, Chloé introduced luxury prêt-à-porter to the masses 57 years ago and was the springboard for designers Karl Lagerfeld in 1966, Stella McCartney in 1997 and Phoebe Philo in 2001. Philo’s former assistant Hannah MacGibbon stepped in last year as creative director and has been toughening and updating the brand’s trademark gauze, ruffles, trousers and pastels with menswear fabrics and boxy shapes.
The Chloé boutique, nestled between Oscar de la Renta and Temperley in a row of faux French chateau-style white bungalows, was designed by Sophie Hicks Architects, a London firm, and incorporates such elements as skylights and laser-cut abstract panels. The street-facing unit houses accessories, while a separate two-story building in the rear carries the collection, using its veranda to frame the fashions.
The spring/summer collection, in colors influenced by the desert, fills out the store until MacGibbon’s well-reviewed fall lineup, including hot, thigh-high pirate boots, lands. Styles include a $1,550 boyfriend blazer, meant to be worn over a $575 gauzy gray silk blouse, and $775 leopard print shorts. Chloé’s trademark scalloped hemline shows up on a $1,795 navy polka-dot mini-dress with three-quarter-length sleeves, a $2,495 white linen coat and a $595 tan sling-back heel.
Accessories are the main focus, including the buzzed-about new pebble-embossed leather $1,995 Sally bag that is structured rather than slouchy and the multi-strap $995 Carrie suede wedge that embodies Chloé -- classic design tweaked into hipness but eminently wearable.
8448 Melrose Place, Los Angeles. (323) 602-0000. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. www.chloe.com
SALES
Zvezda Starting today: The travel-themed boutique holds a Spring Prep sale on current and previous season looks for men and women. Men can find William Rast jeans for $195 (regularly $234) or blues from People’s Liberation for $188 (regularly $226). Women’s designer looks are priced from $170 to $500 from labels Blumarine, Betsey Johnson and Alexander McQueen. Zvezda (“star” in Bulgarian) is also reducing by 50% to 60% its exclusive Bao Tranchi collection, with deals such as a $325 halter dress ($1,050), $500 cocktail dress ($1,350) and $725 silk bolero ($1,900).
604 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 917-2223. 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. www.zvezdathestore.com
2nd Street Beauty Today: Irvine’s mini beauty department store at the Woodbury Town Center celebrates two years in business with a storewide 25%-off sale. The discount applies to skin care by Murad, Perricone MD and Dermalogica, makeup by Smashbox and hair care by Paul Mitchell.
6286 Irvine Blvd., Irvine. (949) 653-0220. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Madison Gallery Thursday through April 5: Malibu luxury boutique throws an “in your dreams sale” featuring 75% off past-season looks from European houses. Deals on hand include: $90 Stella McCartney jeans (regularly $358), $863 Balmain dress ($3,450), $898 Nina Ricci leather jacket ($3,590) and $298 Yves Saint Laurent boots ($1,195).
23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu. (310) 317-8787. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.madisonlosangeles.com
Junior Drake Sample sale Friday through April 5: L.A. manufacturer of stylish, affordable leather handbags and accessories is having a warehouse sale with past-season designs up to 75% off retail and prices from $60 to $200 (regular price $300 to $500). Spend $150 or more and receive free handbag. A DJ will spin for entertainment and desserts will be served
740 E. 60th St., Los Angeles. (323) 231-4116. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. www.juniordrake.com
EVENTS
A Soolip Wedding Today: Prospective brides and wedding planners are invited to this 10-year-old event at Vibiana showcasing high-end bridal resources plus a fashion show featuring gowns by Kirstie Kelly. See invitations by host Soolip Paperie & Press and try delicious Vietnamese-fusion bites by Crustacean’s AN Catering. You can set up a registry with Bloomingdale’s or California-based Heath Ceramics, schedule a skin-care consultation at Kate Somerville, learn about updos at Sally Hershberger or book a honeymoon suite at San Ysidro Ranch. Admission is $45.
210 S. Main St., Los Angeles. (310) 860-1300. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.asoolipwedding.com
La Perla Wednesday: Italian luxe lingerie brand throws a charity shopping event hosted by Perrey Reeves (Mrs. Ari on “Entourage”). This evening only, take 25% off new lingerie, such as a $224 teal chemise ($299), $192 demi-bra ($257) and $114 matching brief ($153) and 10% of the proceeds will benefit Clothes Off Our Backs (which supports international children’s charities). View a cocktail exhibition of La Perla’s celebrity red carpet gowns that will be auctioned off the following day, also to benefit the charity. Guests must be 21 and older and must RSVP to rsvp@laperlafashions.comto attend with one other person.
433 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 860-0561. 7 to 9 p.m. www.laperla.com
Origins Thursday: Origins skin care and cosmetics kicks off its Return to Origins recycling program to celebrate Earth Month at the Westfield Century City mall. The first 100 attendees to toss old cosmetic empties (lipstick tubes, shampoo bottles, moisturizer jars and compacts from any line) in the blue bin will receive a free Origins’ A Perfect World deluxe-size hydrating cream with white tea. Complimentary hand and arm massages using A Perfect World cream are also offered.
10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 772-0272. 3 to 8:30 p.m. www.origins.com
Santa Maria Novella Friday: Experience the Estate Room Fragrance, which aims to capture the scent of a seaside villa surrounded by wild grasses. Take home a sample at this soiree and enter a drawing while enjoying wine and cheese.
8411 Melrose Place, West Hollywood. (323) 651-3754. 4 to 7 p.m. www.smnovella.it
Wren Friday until May 3: The entire Wren spring/summer collection, designed by local gal Melissa Coker, takes over Brentwood’s Feature boutique for a month. Coker, a former assistant to Vogue’s André Leon Talley, has a collection that’s So Cal chic, with $198 pleated shorts, $225 short jumpsuits, $220 floral-print A-line dresses and $230 cropped khakis.
11958 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood. (310) 826-6600. 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. featureboutique.com
SPA
The Organic Pharmacy Thursday: Margo Marrone, founder of the homeopathy-rooted day spa, flies in from London to sign copies of “The Organic Pharmacy: The Complete Guide to Natural Health and Beauty.” Drop by and receive a complimentary hand and arm massage plus goodie bags, bubbly and canapés. Send RSVP to pr@theorganicpharmacy.com.
453 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 272-7275. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. theorganicpharmacy.com
