A love for shoes
Mona Moore might not be a typical Venice shoe boutique. A disco ball hanging in the front window should be the first clue. But if you’re a female footwear fanatic whose eyes light up at the mention of Dries Van Noten, Ann Demeulemeester and wedge boots, you might want to venture out to this latest Abbot Kinney retail spot.
Lisa Bush and Anna Maria Varriano opened the original Mona Moore in Montreal seven years ago (the name is a riff on “mon amour” -- “my love” in French). The inaugural shop offered style-starved Montrealers a place to stock up on footwear from L.A.’s own avant-gardist Rick Owens along with European designers. After launching a successful Mona Moore e-commerce site (about 40% of store sales are online), Bush decided to open an outpost on the West Coast this year. She currently lives in Topanga.
Mona Moore occupies a stretch of Abbot Kinney Boulevard that, despite a lingering recession, has been burgeoning with cafes, such as Intelligentsia, and design shops, such as A+R, Tortoise and Liseanne Frankfurt. The Mona Moore space was formerly an artist’s studio and before that a barbershop that appeared in the movie “Get Shorty.”
“The neighborhood is a nice mix of residential and commercial,” Bush says. “I’m a huge fan of urban beaches like Miami’s South Beach and the south of France. We have that in Venice.”
The interior is as minimal (raw concrete, white walls) as you would expect from a boutique featuring polysyllabic Belgian and Dutch designers. But Moooi chandeliers, Venetian mirrors and vintage chairs give the boutique personality along with the mirror ball (which Bush turns off at night after it spurred a neighbor’s migraine).
The otherwise spare atmosphere highlights the goods: Mona Moore currently stocks the most Dries Van Noten shoes and accessories in Los Angeles, including Oxford pumps featuring snakeskin heels ($560 to $720) and boots ($835). A range of boots from thigh-high to bootie are on offer from Ann Demeulemeester ($1,295 to $1,895), Haider Ackermann ($1,095 to $1,495) and Phi ($1,995 for silver-buckled creepers). Shoes from Marni, Lanvin and Pierre Hardy will be added over the next month.
The store also stocks local accessories such as alligator leather bags from L.A. design outfit Parker Ochs ($1,795 to $2,295).
And as a concession to its new host city, Mona Moore offers delivery by same-day courier, studio services and house calls.
1112 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. (310) 452-4070. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
monamoore.com
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EVENTS
The Wedding Salon Monday: Bridal showcase at the London West Hollywood gathers wedding vendors for this one-day event. Check out models wearing Monique Lhuillier’s latest gowns, new wedding hairstyles demonstrated by Frederic Fekkai’s salon and the latest bridal baubles from Martin Katz. Taste Hansen’s wedding cake samples. Attendees will receive a complimentary gift bag. Tickets are $15 with promo code (LAT09P) available at weddingsalon.com (regular price is $50).
1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. (212) 631-7777. 4 to 9 p.m.
weddingsalon.com
Silver Lake Block Party Saturday: Sunset Boulevard retailers unite for a community block party. Participating boutiques Mesh & Lace and Gogosha will serve refreshments, while Sumi’s provides live entertainment from bands Deerheart, Correatown and Natural Disasters. Valet parking will be available on Descanso Drive for $4.50.
Sunset Boulevard between Silver Lake Boulevard and Sanborn Avenue. (323) 667-1732. 6 to 10 p.m.
www.meshandlacela.com
J.Crew Crewcuts Shows Monday and Tuesday: J.Crew hosts two trunk shows for its Crewcuts children’s collection to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Crewcuts features fall and holiday styles starting at $8.50 for accessories to $135 for velvet holiday dresses. Credit cards accepted but not cash or checks. RSVP via e-mail to m elanie@crewcutskids.com.
Viceroy Hotel, Bristol Room, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday.
Sunset Tower Hotel, Townhouse Apartment, 8358 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.
www.jcrew.com
SALES
The Paper Bag Princess ongoing through Sept. 30: Vintage clothing store offers a closet clunker-for-cash promotion: Trade in a vintage dress, handbag or pair of shoes for a $50 credit toward purchase of a new one. Or donate the $50 to the National Council of Jewish Women, Los Angeles.
8818 Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 385-9036. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
thepaperbagprincess.com
SPAS
Spa Week Monday through Sept. 20: Spa Week offers $50 treatments at participating day spas, including Burke Williams, Recess Nail Spa, Glen Ivy and the Spa Le Merigot. Check spaweek.com for neighborhood listings.
spaweek.com
SALON
Studio Alexandria LA Today through Sept. 30: New hair-removal salon, specializing in body sugaring, which some claim is less painful than other methods, offers 50% off services to first-time clients. Treatments include eyebrows, $25; (regular price $50); lower legs, $35 ($70); and bikini, $32.50 ($65). For men there’s the full back, $60 ($120), and chest, $37.50 ($75).
11740 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 105, Los Angeles. (310) 492-5070. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. Sunday and Monday by appointment.
studioalexandriala.com
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max@maxpadilla.com
