Character Exposure

For those who take the fashion of a mood ring or Mickey Mouse tie seriously, there’s the new Mad boutique in Long Beach. Along funky 4th Street, Mad stocks the kind of kitsch that makes collectors and kids alike go, well, mad. Find a Betty Boop coin purse ($3) and watch ($40) or a purse shaped like her head ($22). Time watchers can also strap on a piece featuring Speed Racer, the Cisco Kid and Red Ryder ($58 to $64). Owner Charlie Trujillo, 28, says she looks for “oddities.” Among reproduction and antique toys is “stuff,” such as plastic fingertips, boxing nun puppets and vintage rhinestone jewelry. “It’s for those who have a sense of humor,” Trujillo says. Looking around the shop, her glance stops at a rubber rat with its bloody schnoz caught in a trap. The rat’s motorized body contorts realistically. “You definitely need a sense of humor to shop here,” she says.

A Rebel Gets Roots

For years, Sam Smith has been a fixture on the county’s home shopping circuit, driving clothes to customer’s homes and offices under the Rebel Smith banner. Today that era comes to an end with the opening of the Rebel Smith Collection “more than just clothes” store in Fullerton’s Villa del Sol center. “I was carrying too many lines, and I decided I needed a home,” Smith says. “You can only do so much going to someone’s house.” And Smith will do much with the 700-square-foot space: She will feature many designers she’s carried over the years, in addition to jewelry boxes, pewter items, candles and picture frames. The grand opening tea and champagne reception will be held over three days, from 2 to 5 p.m. daily. Today, meet retro children’s wear designer Andrea of Acouts Design; the program continues Friday with Jassa and Saturday with Claudio Pollero, both women’s clothing designers.

Not Just Beans

Coffeehouses have tried to offer more than just a frothy cup of gourmet beans by providing live music, games and books. But owners Dan Barrett and Robert Hamparyan of Not Just Java in Newport Beach want to also entertain the sartorial needs of their caffeine-driven customers. In addition to pool tables, a pinball machine, a TV and a CD juke box, NJJ has a boutique. The tiny shop is filled with glamorous rings, sun dresses, vintage items, J Crew bikini tops, vests made of old ties, cut-off Levi’s, decorated bustiers, essential oils and beaded chokers. Local labels 26 Red and Sandra Harvey also keep a rack crammed with fabulous finds. “I didn’t want it to be like any other coffeehouse,” Barrett says. Located at the edge of the Lido Marina Village--home to three major nightclubs--NJJ gets its share of hipsters, especially since it closes long after the clubs. “It’s a place where club-goers can get a cup of joe, browse and buy something at 3 a.m.,” he says.