In West Hollywood, a Divine Occasion for Finding Discount Gifts
“To shop is human. For such a worthy cause . . . divine.”
So goes the slogan for Divine Design, the annual fashion and design showcase beginning tonight at the Pacific Design Center. But Divine Design--a fund-raiser for two AIDS charities: Project Angel Food and DIFFA Los Angeles--is not only a good cause, it’s also one of the biggest discount gift-buying bonanzas in town.
In addition to the main attraction--46 interior design vignettes--Divine Design has a 20,000-square-foot fashion marketplace and a home furnishings flea market, both filled with gift possibilities. Clothing prices start at 50% off the retail price the first day and go down progressively day by day. Home furnishings start at 25% off.
More than 250 designers and retailers have donated current season merchandise for men, women and children. Tommy Hilfiger has rugby shirts for boys ($25), and women’s skirts, corduroy shirts and parkas in jewel-toned pinks and purples, starting at $34. Nautica offers hundreds of men’s shirts, along with furnishings for the home, including towels and sheets.
In the underwear department, Joe Boxer’s whimsical-print boxers and pajamas ($10 to $20) make nice gifts for men or women.
Party dresses by BCBG are available at the unbeatable price of $60, while Banana Republic’s boutique features sportswear, from leather jackets, to belts, faux crocodile purses and men’s ties, starting at $10.
Soon to become collectors’ items are scarves, robes and bags from Todd Oldham’s L.A. store, which has shut its doors. A baby pink silk tote is a steal at $12, and the designer’s fun silk and sequined pillows are great to give, $12.50 to $64.50.
Snatch one of Anna Sui’s quirky tees for about $10 (the same ones that can be found at the new Sunset Plaza boutique). Plastic coin purses are $7 to $10, and some of Sui’s more unusual designs (suede camisole, anyone?) are also for sale.
Or maybe mom would like an Echo silk scarf ($20 to $30), or a candy-colored Inca plastic tote ($48 to $60)?
Sunglasses galore--from L.A. Eyeworks, Oliver Peoples, Kenneth Cole and more--start at $60. Kenneth Cole has also donated hundreds of bags and shoes for both men and women.
In the home furnishings flea market, you’ll find hundreds of frames, candlesticks, candles, pillows and knickknacks, as well as bath product gift sets.
And, if all else fails, gift a friend (or yourself) with stylish merchandise from Project Angel Food, including tees, mugs and a cookbook full of recipes from designers and decorators.
Divine Design, today through Dec. 11, at Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood.
Tonight’s VIP opening reception, awards show and seven-day pass, $250.
Tonight’s opening night sales event and seven-day pass, $100. General admission for one-day tickets, $20.
Information: (310) 358-8000.
