Feraud and Gas Bijoux boutiques open

Weeks after the entertainment industry landed on the shores of Cannes, two fashion companies based in the south of France opened the doors to their first West Coast boutiques, here in Los Angeles.

Feraud, the 57-year-old house founded by painter-turned-designer Louis Feraud, has set up shop on Brighton Way. Feraud is known for creating original prints inspired by the designers’ artwork and also for having designed all four of Brigitte Bardot’s wedding dresses. Très chic! Last Wednesday’s opening party in the Beverly Hills store was filled with vibrant floral print dresses and subtle metallic knits, and the high society women who love them. The scene hinted that Feraud is something like the St. John of the south of France, with devotees oohing and aahing over prim pieces fitting for their summer social calendars.

The next night, in a more relaxed atmosphere, Gas Bijoux, a jewelry line based in St. Tropez, opened its West Hollywood boutique on Melrose Avenue. The collection of earrings, charm bracelets and a small ready-to-wear collection was started 35 years ago by the Gas family. Whimsical gold and enamel gypsy-style jewelry evokes careless romps on the sands of St. Tropez, though the brand name Gas is engraved on almost every charm and pendant. Tant pis!