Fashion label Leyendecker aims to start a holiday gold rush
Designers Lisa Guajardo and Jessica Moss, cofounders of Los Angeles-based fashion label Leyendecker, initially bonded over their shared love of longhaired Chihuahuas. Guajardo was walking her tiny pooch one day when Moss — a fellow owner of the breed — pulled her car over to chat about canines.
It turned out that an affinity for pocket-sized dogs wasn’t all the pair had in common; both were trained in apparel construction — Moss in costume design and Guajardo in fashion design.
Six years later, the duo is creating one of the most charming, fashion-forward collections in town.
Named for Guajardo’s grandmother’s maiden name, Leyendecker launched in fall 2006 with a mission of “making amazing quality clothing that was kind of different,” Moss said.
While the line employs modern silhouettes, it’s rarely overly trendy. “From the beginning, we wanted to design clothes that don’t go stale in your closet,” Guajardo said.
The label’s holiday collection, which lands in stores this month, highlights the brand’s signature mix of edginess and wearability. Inspired by the California Gold Rush, the designers whipped up looks that pull loosely from frontier garb and — of course — sparkling, show-stopping gold.
There are champagne-gold sequined dresses and miniskirts; roomy-fit army-green day dresses with black sequined embellishments; an airy silk pale-pink top and ruffled dress with necklines wreathed in a Navajo-esque sterling silver-plated appliqué; silk black-and-white gingham-checked separates and dresses; and spaghetti-strapped black tank dresses, both long and short. Prices range from $231 for a faux rabbit wrap to $438 for a silk ruffle dress with a sterling appliqué neckline.
The collection is a far cry from the typical jewel-toned frocks many contemporary brands spin out this time of year. “We always try and do something different than the typical holiday look,” Guajardo said. “There’s an edgier and understated holiday style that we like — so there’s no taffeta or anything like that.”
Leyendecker is sold at Planet Blue and Milk in Los Angeles and online at https://www.shopbop.com and https://www.revolveclothing.com.
https://www.leyendeckerlosangeles.com
OPENING
Levi’s Malibu: Iconic denim brand Levi’s is launching a concept store this weekend that is meant to pay homage to Malibu. The shop at Cross Creek shopping center — which features a hand-painted mural of Rancho Malibu, based on the original map mounted at nearby Pepperdine University — boasts a collection of vintage Levi’s jeans, one-of-a-kind trucker jackets and other old-school work-wear staples.
3862 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. (310) 317-9194. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
levis.com
Emily the Strange pop-up shop: Just in time for Halloween, art-gallery-cum-retail spot Royal/T has opened a pop-up shop dedicated to Emily the Strange, the famously sullen cartoon character that started as a skateboard graphic. Open through Nov. 11, the pop-up features books, artwork and collectibles emblazoned with Emily’s moody mug. Prices range from $3.99 for a kitty mask (Emily has four black cats) to $399 for an Epiphone Emily the Strange G-310 SG electric guitar.
8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 559-6300. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Tala Jewelry: Multi-brand boutique Tala Jewelry has debuted on tony Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, carrying ladylike bauble brands including Pandora, Bochic and Chad Allison. Prices range from $30 for a small necklace charm to $40,000 for big-deal diamond pieces.
1302 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 319-0407. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
The Shave of Beverly Hills: Made famous by the boys of “Entourage,” this old-school men’s grooming haven and retail shop is under new ownership, offering a wider selection of gifts for guys and hard-to-find men’s product lines such as Penhaligon’s and Lierac. The new owners plan to offer monthly (and über-manly) classes at the salon on topics as varied as Shaving 101and Scotch-making. Services, which include shaves, haircuts and facials, range from $25 to $100.
230 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 858-8281. 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
https://www.theshavebeverlyhills.com
EVENTS
PRPS Heirloom collection launch Thursday: High-end Japanese denim brand PRPS (think $500 jeans) launches its more wallet-friendly line, PRPS Heirloom, at American Rag with a party featuring a performance by Carolina Liar.
American Rag Cie, 150 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 935-3154. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ronelle trunk show Saturday: Local jewelry designer Ronelle shows her latest collection of Asian-inspired natural stone jewelry, with a portion of the proceeds from sales benefiting the Pacific Asia Museum’s educational programs. Expect chunky, colorful bracelets and necklaces incorporating onyx and jade. Prices range from $15 to $600.
Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. (626) 449-2742, Ext. 20. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
https://www.pacificasiamuseum.org
Jason Wu trunk show Tuesday: The spring and resort collections from Jason Wu, designer of Michelle Obama’s ethereal Inauguration ball gown, will be showcased (the designer will not be present).
Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 550-5900. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Designer Sportswear department, Level 2.
Kaufman Franco appearance and trunk show Thursday: Meet Ken Kaufman and Isaac Franco, the designers behind Kaufman Franco, as they showcase the label’s resort and spring collections.
Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 550-5900. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Couture Salon, Level 2.
