POP-UP CULTURE
Pop-UP stores are suddenly, well, popping up everywhere. From downtown L.A. to suburban O.C., designers, artists and retailers are setting up shop for a few days, a few weeks or even just a few hours. They’re offering limited-edition and one-of-a-kind items and counting on the fashion-hungry to do the rest -- that is, show up in droves.
Last month, the controversial Louis Vuitton boutique popped up in the Murakami exhibition at the Temporary Contemporary. Then last week, Paper magazine ran a 24-hour version (and, naturally, a meta-commentary on pop-up shops) called Paper’s 24-Hour Department Store. Editor Kim Hastreiter described the Hollywood shop as “my fantasy department store,” as well as a “conceptual art piece about consumerism and pop culture.”
All day and night, young, stylish Angelenos shelled out for books and CDs from Miranda July and Devendra Banhart, clothing from Jeremy Scott and Opening Ceremony and limited-edition bottles of booze brought from Paris by the boutique Colette. Some people, such as party photographer Cobrasnake -- hawking T-shirts with his own image -- stayed for the full 24 hours.
If you missed it, don’t fret. Here are four fresh opportunities to experience the phenomenon yourself. And during this time of retail uncertainty -- when opening a full-fledged boutique is looking riskier by the minute -- no doubt more are on the way.
New High (M)art
Who: Fed up with the stagnant pace of seasonal fashion and inspired by neighboring art galleries, buyer Miho Ikeda and stylist-creative director T-RIK give over their tiny Chinatown storefront to a different designer every six weeks.
What: The shop debuts with Silver Lake designer Brian Lichtenberg, whose holographic lycra ensembles are favored by dance-floor divas Peaches and M.I.A.
When: Through Dec. 14
Where: 741 New High St., Los Angeles, (213) 621-7822; www.newhighmart.com
Why Go: In addition to Lichtenberg’s spring/summer ’08 line, the shop features special-edition mirrored necklaces in collaboration with Alex & Chloe; silk scarves with chain fringe made specially for New High; holographic jumpsuits seen on Daft Punk’s fembots; and one-of-a-kind pieces, such as a net top with gold holographic paillettes worn by Naomi Campbell in a Chinese fashion magazine.
Intervention
Who: The designophiles behind the West Hollywood men’s store All Purpose have relinquished their space to a “Temporary Brand Pharmacy” by the uber cool San Franciscans behind CITIZEN:Citizen and Jimmyjane.
What: High-concept “retail therapy,” from the pill bottles handed out as invitations to the medical bracelet one receives to pick up specially wrapped gifts (called prescriptions, naturally).
When: Dec. 3-9
Where: 144 S. Flores St., Los Angeles, (323) 866-1828; www.shopallpurpose.com
Why Go: CITIZEN:Citizen’s coveted ccPhone, a matte black iPhone preprogrammed with music, imagery and contacts; haute sex-toy company Jimmyjane’s Jamie Hewlett collaboration, the “Ultimate Member” line of luxury vibrators; and Filius, designed by All Purpose co-owner Alessandro Tomassetti, will be debut a men’s color-blocked tuxedo shirt.
La La Land by Anchor Blue
Who: Trendy denim retailer Anchor Blue puts a fashion-forward spin -- and a higher price tag -- on its teen street-wear.
What: A 2,500-square-foot, L.A.-themed boutique decked out with skater graphics, a wall of chrome rims and a velvet-roped VIP area where big spenders can play with the new Xbox.
When: Through March
Where: 1246 3rd St., Santa Monica; www.anchorblue.com/lalaland
Why Go: Snap up limited edition aviator shades; high-end tees with skulls and studs; wool felt fedoras and cabbie caps; and merchandise signed by celebs including Paris and Nicky Hilton and members of the L.A. Kings and the Dodgers, with all proceeds going to charity.
The Temporary Contemporary at Generic Youth
Who: Generic Youth, the O.C. surf-style clothing company known for one-offs such as beach towel sweat shirts, devotes a section of its newly expanded store to young local companies for month-long stints.
What: Through November, special-edition pieces of Atwater’s sport and beachwear. Next month, an undisclosed shoe company takes over.
When: Pop-up shops change monthly
Where: 1609 Pomona Ave., Costa Mesa, (949) 351-5389; www.genericyouth.com
Why Go: Hand-painted board shorts, tees and skateboard decks, plus appliqued hoodies by Atwater’s Dean Bradley.
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