What’s in Store
Blink in Los Angeles and risk missing a new store opening. There, in the middle of the block, where the juice bar used to be, is now a shiny, new, beautifully designed, well-stocked clothing store. In neighborhoods throughout Southern California’s sprawl, shops offering merchandise in a range of prices continually open. Some are chains that want outposts in as many shopping districts as possible. Others are designer boutiques aimed at the customer loyal to one brand, who doesn’t want to be distracted by a department store’s variety. Sunset Plaza and Robertson Boulevard are two of the hottest retail meccas. And the shop building boom is far from over. Coming soon, to a street or mall near you--more stores!
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New and Noteworthy
Prada Men’s
343 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. Leonardo DiCaprio’s favorite designer has just opened a store with shoes, clothing and a new sport collection.
J. Peterman
Fashion Island, 347 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. The catalog of men’s and women’s traditional clothing, immortalized on “Seinfeld,” has come to life at its first West Coast store. L.A. will be next.
Diavolina Shoes
7383 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. An on-the-mark selection of shoes by Marc Jacobs, Walter Steiger and others, plus handbags and some special clothes.
Ghost
125 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. The only other Ghost boutiques are in Paris and London. The clingy rayon dresses are designed by Tanya Sarne.
Freelance
113 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. The shoes and boots from France are as wild as the stunning new store that houses them. Just the place to find a sequined tennis shoe or platform sneakers.
Skechers
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. Features the line of casual shoes that have become the official footgear of the global skate-rat fraternity.
CK Shoes & Bags
Century City Shopping Center, Century City. Men’s and women’s shoes and bags for women. Be pointy, be square, just don’t be barefoot.
J. Crew
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. The catalog of preppy basics started opening stores a few years ago that stock some items for men and women not available by mail.
Erica Courtney
7465 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. Delicate jewelry designed by Courtney, who claims to have invented the Y-necklace popularized on “Friends,” includes some items almost anyone would consider affordable.
Suzanne Felsen
Space G3, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. Designer Felsen creates sterling silver and 18-karat gold jewelry she describes as clean and contemporary.
Diesel
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. Jeans and more, for men and women.
Anthropologie
320 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. When Urban Outfitters grows up, it becomes Anthropologie, which features a mix of clothing, beauty products, furniture, gifts and items for the home.
Lucky Brand Dungarees
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. Sure, the jeans are great, but so are the workout clothes, with discreet logos.
For Children
Tartine et Chocolat
316 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. French clothes for the sweet and small that some people call “Chanel for children.”
Tutto Bimbi
Westside Pavilion, West Los Angeles. Italian clothes, shoes and toys for boys and girls. Fabuloso.
Coming Soon:
D&G;
The younger, less expensive division of Dolce & Gabbana will open in mid-August at 8641 Sunset Plaza, West Hollywood, with clothing and accessories for men and women.
Anna Sui
The New York designer with a flair for the fanciful will move accessories, shoes and jewelry into 8669 Sunset Plaza, West Hollywood, in September.
Vivienne Tam
She will bring her popular collections, including those striking designs printed on stretch nylon, plus a group of unique handbags, to 8603 Sunset Plaza, West Hollywood, in September.
Miu Miu
Prada’s younger sister collection will open at 8025 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, in September, offering clothes and accessories.
Steve Madden
The funky New York shoe designer, who has expanded his range of teen clothes, already has stores in South Coast Plaza, Brea Mall, Westside Pavilion and Glendale Galleria. He will open on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade in September.
DKNY
The company will bring its sporty collections for men and women to the Beverly Center, Los Angeles, in late fall.
