Star-Quality Clothing : * Celebrities’ duds can perform in your closet after a visit to Cinema Glamour Shop.
We sometimes forget about the tried-and-true bargain sources in our search for the new. Such is the case with the Cinema Glamour Shop, where stars have been donating clothing for 72 years and where all the proceeds benefit the Motion Picture & Television Hospital and Country House in Woodland Hills. Volunteers staff the shop: Don’t be surprised to see some faces from the silver screen among them.
This used celebrity-clothing store started the whole trend toward resale celebrity-clothing boutiques. Over the years, many of the biggest stars have contributed their apparel, shoes, hats and accessories to the shop, and many of Los Angeles’ smartest shoppers have given a second life to clothes from the wardrobes of Burt Reynolds, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Julie Andrews, Elizabeth Taylor, Loni Anderson, Janet Leigh, Rhonda Fleming, Anne Jeffries, Betty White, Audrey Meadows and many others.
Since all of the inventory has been donated, the prices can be set very low, and there’s no sales tax because of its nonprofit status. In the men’s department, a like-new suit, 100% pure wool gabardine, with the Nordstrom label (size 36), was a remarkable $30. A Countess Mara plaid sport coat (size 42) was $40. In the designer collection of women’s apparel, a handsome black knit suit from I. Magnin was $30, and a zippy brown leather suit by Kenneth Warren was $40. A very wearable classic suit (size 12) by Frederica, made in Italy to sell for around $800, was $35. A black silk Yves St. Laurent suit (size 5-6) was $50, down $450 from the original price.
To the left of the designer apparel area is the $1 to $5 Room, where you can go bananas. I picked up two nice big V-neck sweaters for $5 apiece and a worn-only-once pair of Ferragamo pumps for $5.
The inventory moves very fast here, and regulars stop at least once a month to check out new arrivals. This shop is not for trendy fashions, but rather for those who seek classic elegance in their attire.
In the very back, where the public is not invited, was a collection of performance gowns recently donated by Vicki Carr. None had been priced, and many will no doubt be saved for the yearly auction to be held Oct. 19 at the Regency Beverly Wilshire.
Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Friday in Valley Life!
WHERE TO SHOP
What: The Cinema Glamour Shop.
Location: 343 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.
Cards: None. Cash or check only.
Call: (213) 936-9060.
