MANNING THE SHOP
After 87 years, Loehmann’s, the king of discount retailers, is going where no man has gone before: Specifically, it’s opening its first store devoted to off-price designer goods for guys only.
On Tuesday, the doors will swing open to the Loehmann’s Men’s Store on La Cienega Boulevard, a new 18,000-square-foot space across the street from Loehmann’s West Coast flagship. (The dividend, ladies: Your store now boasts a larger accessories department.)
Guys, prepare to discover the joys of perennially reduced wares from Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Ermenegildo Zegna’s Z label at up to 65% below retail.
And ladies, stop gloating over the idea of men finally having to endure the indignity of the Loehmann’s communal changing area. The men will be squeezing into their size 32 Calvins in the continuing comfort of private fitting rooms.
Mara Kelly, vice president of marketing, cites space, not the male mind, as the reason behind the closed quarters. “Customers,” she says, “seem to like private dressing rooms better.”
Well, duh.
Loehmann’s Men’s Store (opens Tuesday), 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 358-0103. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. www.loehmanns.com
SALE
Liz Lange Maternity Through March 31: If the pitter-patter of tiny feet is in your imminent future, congratulations: You have the perfect excuse to buy a new wardrobe. Everything in Lange’s soon-to-be-shuttered shop is $25, so it’s time for a pre-stork stock-up. Belly-covering tube tops, cashmere skirts, sizzling slim cigarette pants and fitted dresses rival goods from non-natal boutiques. 346 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-0099. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
EVENTS
Metamorphosis Shopping Party Sunday: The doors to Michele Pietra’s private resale loft are usually closed to the public. For two short days, the former stylist is giving shoppers the key to her collection of high fashion resale goods from the closets of fashion’s glitterati. Pieces by Prada, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent are up to 95% off their original retail prices. An Alexander McQueen lace corset stands out more than usual now that it’s $800 instead of a cool two grand. Ferragamo’s python satchel was $4,200, now $1,100. Shoes from the heavy-hitting trifecta of Blahnik, Choo and Louboutin start at $98. Fabric Salon. 152 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 274-7574. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.metcouture.com
Saks Ageless Beauty 101 Through Saturday: Get cosmetics counseling, check out new items from the likes of Laura Mercier, Guerlain and La Mer -- and best of all, buy $100 in cosmetics and pick up a free terry cloth travel bag filled with goodies. Saks Fifth Avenue. 9600 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 786-8269. 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. www.saks.com
OPENINGS
Forever 21 The cheap and chic emporium has moved down the Third Street Promenade, now that its Santa Monica Place home is getting a face-lift. Those who possess champagne taste and a beer budget will find runway-inspired pieces that are a checkbook’s best friend, such as a ruffle dress in vivid orange chiffon ($27.80) that lets you sport spring’s key color trend on the cheap. A shoe collection of Louboutin look-alikes are, surprisingly, not so terrible. 1431 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. (310) 395-6735. 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. www.forever21.com
Roseark Technically, this boutique -- formerly Kaviar and Kind -- never closed. But owner Kathy Azarmi Rose (a.k.a. Kaviar) has dropped the Kind (a.k.a. former partner Sunrise Ruffalo) and added art, clothing and furniture to her assortment of keepsake jewels. Pieces from Azarmi Rose’s collection are heavy on precious stones and the sentiment: a diamond and emerald grasshopper cuff ($28,000) was inspired by the insect that lived in Azarmi Rose’s home during her baby daughter’s earliest days. 8533 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 659-8857. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, by appointment Sunday.
Fresh Pressed The next generation of DIY T-shirt shops has arrived in the form of this Los Feliz creative hub. Bring your own artwork, or use store-designed creations. Then decide the size of your graphic and slap it on a shirt by American Apparel or, for the green set, an organic cotton tee from Econscious. An in-house graphic artist can help the creatively challenged. 4646 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz. (323) 663 7374. Noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. www.fresh-pressed.com
TRUNK SHOW
Michael Stars Friday: Sip cocktails while shopping Stars’ latest collection of colorful cotton basics and lounge wear. Gift bags will be given to those who drop $100 or more. The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 965-8023. 6-9 p.m. www.michaelstars.com
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