Shopping: Twelfth Street, the intersection of style and value
An upcoming accessory collaboration at Target has roots in the Inland Empire — sort of. La Verne native Cynthia Vincent is the latest designer to partner with the discount retailer, in this case for a limited-edition shoe collection out April 18 through July 1.
Vincent’s label, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, isn’t named after ordinal-numbered thoroughfares in L.A., where she’s based, or in Manhattan, but for Twelfth Street in La Verne. And while La Verne is at the eastern edge of Los Angeles County, it skews more Inland Empire suburban than L.A. metropolitan, and that’s how Vincent reps.
“Once I embraced where I was from, the Inland Empire, it became a great source of inspiration,” says Vincent, 44, who currently lives in Silver Lake. “I come from the suburbs and have experienced wanting the unattainable.”
With the Target collection, “Here’s something for the broader audience to enjoy,” she adds.
The Otis Parsons alum launched Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent in 2003, and it was one of the few local lines to debut at the first Los Angeles Fashion Week that same year, along with Trina Turk and Michelle Mason.
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent is carried locally by Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus and Planet Blue. Vincent attributes her longevity in a fickle industry obsessed by the next “it” thing or designer to accessible pricing and styles that can be worn for several seasons. She has a loyal celebrity clientele that includes Vanessa Hudgens, Jessica Alba, Kate Hudson and Jennifer Connelly.
“I try to make clothes that people want that are still special enough,” Vincent says. “If I wouldn’t spend $300 on them, why would anyone else?” She introduced Twelfth Street footwear in 2006 after noticing a void for moderately priced designer shoes for under $300 — “a price point where nobody was,” as she puts it. A Twelfth Street bag collection debuted last fall.
All the shoes in the Cynthia Vincent for Target collection are priced under $30. “It’s a design challenge to create something fashionable, wearable and interesting for an affordable price,” she says.
The Cynthia Vincent for Target collection features a gladiator wedge ($29.99) in black, yellow and cognac man-made leather, based on a signature Twelfth Street style. In time for summer, Vincent also designed a strappy sandal with a ring detail that sells for $24.99. African print-inspired fabric adorns a wedge ($29.99) and ballet flat ($24.99), and a strappy slingback ($29.99) and one-toe sandal ($24.99) feature mini-gold studs.
Opening
Nordstrom “Beauty Bash” Friday: Fashion Island’s Nordstrom celebrates its grand opening with a “cosmetics tailgate party” from 8 to 10 a.m. featuring complimentary makeup consultations, a light breakfast and a DJ. The store will carry new labels such as Winter Kate by Nicole Richie and the Kardashian sisters for Virgin, Saints and Angels plus an espresso bar and a saltwater aquarium.
901 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 610-0700. Opening-day hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
https://www.shop.nordstrom.com
Events
Heal the Bay Shopping Event at La Perla Thursday: The luxury lingerie brand throws a swimwear shopping party at Malibu Lumber Yard, hosted by “Entourage” actress Perrey Reeves, taking 20% off all purchases that evening with 10% of sale proceeds benefiting Heal the Bay, an environmental nonprofit based in Santa Monica. Preview La Perla’s swimwear collection (starting at $245) including bikinis, maillots and pareos styled by Jen Rade and Eric Archibald, who were featured on MTV’s “Styl’D.” Complimentary cocktails and chocolates will be served. E-mail rsvp@laperlafashions.com.
3939 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu. (310) 456-7078. 6 to 8 p.m.
Alexis Bittar Thursday: New York-based jewelry designer greets Neiman Marcus shoppers with a trunk show featuring his spring collection. Styles range from $135 Lucite drop earrings to $395 Art Deco-inspired necklaces, as worn by actress Joan Collins in a spring ad campaign
9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 550-5900. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rubin Singer Trunk Show Wednesday and Thursday: The boutique Melrose Alley (enter on La Cienega Boulevard) hosts a fall 2010 trunk show for designer Rubin Singer, who worked for Bill Blass and Oscar de la Renta, featuring event dresses, gowns and leathers (prices start at $500).
8465½ Melrose Alley, West Hollywood. (323) 655-1357. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
Salon
Men’s Night at Allen Edwards Salon + Spa Wednesday and ongoing: Allen Edwards in Brentwood launches a promotion targeting men on Wednesday evenings. Haircuts are $40 and discounted services include manicures-pedicures, scalp massages and skin treatments with a complimentary wine bar and Wi-Fi.
216 26th St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-2878. 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays.
