Don’t eat the exfoliant!
Lather Skin care that’s practically good enough to eat -- that’s what the Pasadena-based, all-natural skin care line Lather aims to do with its plant- and food-based products. Founder Emilie Davidson Hoyt uses such ingredients as ground bamboo and walnut shells in her lemon grass exfoliant ($38 or $68) and evening primrose in her alpha-hydroxy cream ($18-$36). In the newly relocated 1,900-square-foot store, shoppers can sample products at marble sinks, sit in mod-bamboo chairs and handle some of Hoyt’s favored ingredients, which are stacked in glass boxes. Each box comes with a card describing the health benefits of the ingredient -- eucalyptus is good for circulation and the sinuses, cranberries infuse their products with antioxidants. Customers also can get their hands dirty blending shower gels, massage oils and body moisturizers with essential oils such as bergamot, cedar and yuzu. So far, botanical and foodie fans with a taste for natural skin care are numerous; in its eight years, the company has expanded to four locations, with a full-service spa in Manhattan. 17 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena; (626) 396-9636; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. www.lather.com
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OPENINGS
H&M; Thursday: Not just another H&M; store, the newest location opening this week near Sunset Plaza in West Hollywood is smaller and more like a boutique, focusing on women’s fashion and accessories. Which means shoppers will have less chaff to wade through. The store will be one of the few to offer the Roberto Cavalli for H&M; collection. So come next Sunday, watch out for maniac fashionistas pawing through animal-print dresses and bustiers. 8580 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 855-9683, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. www.hm.com
Mas Boutique Shannon Benedetti decided to open this boutique after she got tired of “having to drive to the Westside to get J Brand Jeans.” Her stark, minimalist new boutique stocks them (she can’t keep the 22-inch-rise bell bottoms in stock) and more fashion-forward brands, including Michelle Mason and House of Cassette. And Silver Lake guys are loving Endovanera scoop-neck henleys ($69), she reports. 3511 1/2 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; (323) 663-3112; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. www.masboutique.com
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EVENTS:
Marshall’s Celebrity Shoe Exhibit Through Tuesday: You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Regis Philbin’s Bostonian lace-ups. Philbin and other celebs raided their closets this month, donating a favorite pair of kicks to Marshall’s in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month. More than 20 pairs will be auctioned, with a portion of the proceeds going to the OPCC (formerly known as the Ocean Park Community Center), a center that serves the homeless and victims of domestic violence. At Marshall’s La Cienega location, you can spot Jay-Z’s old-school Adidas -- signed “Peace 4 Life” -- and Vivica Fox’s strappy pink Charles Jourdan stilettos. Fox scrawled a personal message on the box for the future owner: “I love these because they remind me of a very magical character from the film ‘Ella Enchanted.’ I played a fairy.” 100 N. La Cienega Blvd. Suite. A218, Los Angeles, (323) 951-0402, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Charityfolks.com
Murakami Exhibit Monday-Feb. 11: This week an exhibit honoring whimsical Japanese artist Takashi Murakami opens at the Geffen Museum at MOCA. Perhaps best known as the “Superflat” artist who collaborated with Marc Jacobs to create colorful, cartoon-like versions of the Louis Vuitton logo print that would go on to adorn limited edition LV bags, Murakami goes far beyond pop culture with this exhibit. Among the more than 90 pieces are political works, anime, paintings, sculpture, installations and films. The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, 152 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. www.moca.org
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TRUNK SHOWS
Carolina Herrera Bridal Trunk Show Thursday-Saturday: Elegant brides-to-be will want to make the trip to Melrose Place for an up-close viewing of Herrera’s Fall 2008 collection, a grouping that includes strapless A-line dresses with embroidered tulle layers and grosgrain ribbon, and an organza ball gown with white embroidered daisies. 8441 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, (323) 782-9090, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. By appointment only.
Platinum for Priscilla of Boston Bridal Trunk Show Thursday-Saturday: In the ‘60s and ‘70s, designer Priscilla Kidder was dubbed “Queen of the Aisle,” and attired Washington brides Julie and Tricia Nixon. These days the East Coast-based bridal line runs under the capable hands of Tracy Uomoleale but still incorporates many of the classic and vintage inspired shapes that made the house an upper-crust staple. Saks Fifth Avenue, 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 887-5509, by appointment only, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.priscillaofboston.com
Graeme Black Personal Appearance and Trunk Show Saturday: The Scot who recently left the helm of Ferragamo comes to Los Angeles this week to display his eponymous line of Japanese inspired dresses that would fit right in at a beach party in Malibu or a safari-themed cocktail party. Chic Spring 2008 looks include organza gowns with balloon sleeves, jersey evening dresses and a full-length, high-waisted, shirt dress in burnt orange. Nordstrom at Fashion Valley, 6997 Friars Road, San Diego, (619) 295-4441, Ext. 1690, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Anna Corinna trunk show Saturday: New York-based designer Anna Corinna is probably best known for her convertible “City” totes in leather. Check out her latest styles under the new label Foley & Corinna at Il Primo Passo this week in Santa Monica. The 2008 line will be available for viewing and a sales rep will take pre-orders. Most bags go for $350 to $550. Il Primo Passo, 1624 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 828-4149, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.ilprimopasso.com
Thakoon Panichgul Trunk Show Friday: Shoppers will have an opportunity to meet the Harper’s Bazaar editor-turned-CFDA-winning fashion designer, Thakoon Panichgul. His latest collection incorporates sportswear in boater-chic hues of blue, white and Kelly green. Tracey Ross; 8595 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 854-1996, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.TraceyRoss.com
