If the words "Juicy Couture" make you break out in a rash; if you've never heard of Robertson Boulevard; if you think blond highlights are the devil and you'd rather scrub floors at the Brite Spot for a year than endure just one night at Hyde; then this is the indie shopping guide for you.
It's unsurprisingly Eastside-heavy, but you'll find a plethora of left-of-center boutiques, hangouts and creative hubs where the emphasis may be either pathologically local (Hitch Couture, Sirens and Sailors) or internationally obsessed (Welcome Hunters, Opening Ceremony). In addition to the de rigeur ’80s-inspired jumpsuits and flat pixie boots, you'll find handmade chainmail purses, culturally informed Danish tees showing how much you heart Copenhagen and vintage-inspired day dresses.
What won't you find? Sparkly denim. (Nope, sorry.) So choke on this, Paris: L.A.'s best shopping guide for indie fashionistas—who are on a budget, of course.
Indie spirit
L.A.'s best boutiques for the indie fashionista
By Caroline Ryder, Special to Metromix
July 23, 2008
Opening Ceremony
461 N. La Cienega Blvd.,
Los Angeles
Gasps tumble from the mouths of all who stumble upon this gallery of simple yet avant-garde fashion design. Yes, they carry the Kate Moss Topshop collection—but that's only a small part of what's wonderful about this place. Here's where you'll see fashion that transcends mere clothing, where fabric moves into the realm of sweet poetry. Go in, get lost, and blow your rent money. It's imperative.
Cake
4649 Russell Ave., Los AngelesGet some brains behind your bling. Every item in the Cake jewelry line is hand-forged and free of nickel and zinc, which often cause metal allergies. Everyone knows inflamed earlobes will never be sexy, no matter how hot your earrings are. We love the huge owl charm necklaces and artisanal vibe.
Welcome Hunters
454B Jung Jing Rd., Los AngelesThere's plenty of hunting and gathering to be done at this hip yet unpretentious boutique in the heart of Chinatown's Central Plaza. The emphasis is on international designers you won't find anywhere else in the U.S. For example, Welcome Hunters is the only place in the U.S. carrying KTZ from London and Jenny Hellstrom from Stockholm. There's also Mundi from Iceland and Danish lines Best Behavior and Camose Copenhagen. You'll find a few native lines too, such as Built by Wendy and James Jeans.
Ooga Booga
943 N. Broadway, #203,
Los Angeles
Wendy Yao, founding mother of Ooga Booga, is a purveyor of all things awesome. Climb up the concrete staircase and enter her tiny den of avant eclectica—clothes by Opening Ceremony, bags by Bless, photos by Leo Fitzpatrick, window displays by Susan Ciancolo, miscellaneous zines and mixtapes by K Records founder Calvin Johnson. Some stuff is absurdly expensive, some isn't. If you haven't already made the Ooga Booga pilgrimage, what are you waiting for?
Han Cholo
1549 Echo Park Ave., Los AngelesLots of gangsta bling with a winking, geek-inspired sincerity. Han Cholo has jewelry, T-shirts, video games and, of course, "Star Wars" figurines.
All Purpose
144 S. Flores St., Los AngelesFinally, a decent clothing store for dandies that has more than just fancy suits. The menswear label Filius served as the inspiration for the opening of this off-the-beaten path hot spot.
Keep Company
1757 Hillhurst Ave., Los AngelesThe store is a hub for the Keep family, an extended network of designers, artists, writers and friends who love nothing more than to grab a pair of slip-on deck shoes from this tiny store in Los Feliz. Karma points: They're manufactured sweatshop-free in Brazil and Guatemala.
AERO & Co.
8403 W. 3rd St., Los AngelesWhy blend in when you can indulge your inner avant-garde? Go on, dip into some of the delightfully progressive styles available here. The store is run by Cynthia Vincent and Alisa Loftin, and Hollywood stylist Magda Berliner created a line just for them. And it's not just about clothes—sniff some rare essential oils and candles by Wicked Stuff and try out a paper Kissing Machine.
Rojas Boutique
7350 Melrose Ave. #C,
Los Angeles
Freddie Rojas can't get it wrong. He's one of the few designers who knows how to make a girl look edgy and sexy at the same time. Think safari-inspired printed hooded jumpsuits and zip-up baby-doll dresses. The Buffalo plaid version allows you to relive the ’90s in, like, a totally 21st-century way.
Scout
7920 W. 3rd St.,
Los Angeles
Proprietors Joey Grana and Greg Armas can do no wrong in our eyes, hand-picking consistently gorgeous items by contemporary independent designers. For starters, there's Society for Rational Dress, Mike & Chris and Corpus Denim. Look out for anything in their signature bee-print pattern—it'll sell out fast!
Built By Wendy
7938 W. 3rd St., Los AngelesWendy Mullin started out selling her custom-made guitar straps and rocker clothing from the back of record stores. Now scenesters and stylists alike flock to her stores in New York and L.A. Check out her book, "Sew U: The Built by Wendy Guide to Making Your Own Wardrobe."
Danmark
7948 W. 3rd St., Los AngelesNow's your chance to play the Dane: Just visit Danmark, a boutique dedicated to bringing a taste of the Danish lifestyle here to L.A. Run by husband-and-wife team Michael and Lehang Pedersen, the store carries chic styles by the Naja Lauf and Baum und Pfergarten. You don't even need blond eyebrows to look good in this stuff.
Flounce
1555 Echo Park Ave., Los AngelesA vintage treasure trove on Echo Park Avenue's thriving middle stretch. Pick up a 1930s chiffon dress and matching gloves, and then pop to Han Cholo for a huge silver skull pendant to complete your badass look.
Show Pony
1543 Echo Park Ave., Los AngelesShow Pony is an Echo Park gem. The clothes, accessories and artwork on display radiate as much style and creativity as the musicians, artists and art lovers who frequent the shop.
popKiller
7503 W. Sunset Blvd., Los AngelesRetro '80s collectibles—plus, it's open until midnight! Shop till you drop.
B.B.C.
1707 W. Sunset Blvd,
Los Angeles
B.B.C. stands for "bueno, bonita y cheap." For the non-Spanish-speakers, that means "good, pretty and cheap." Recently under new management, the store is half thrift (front section), half vintage (in the back), with everything from pretty ’60s-era lingerie to ’70s fur-trimmed donkey jackets to ’80s pixie boots. If you're a lover of the ironic, come and worship before the dazzling selection of Christmas sweaters and fanny packs. We love the sunglasses and accessories at the front counter too.
Steinberg & Sons
4712 Franklin Ave, Los AngelesJulie Edwards from indie art-rock duo the Pity Party runs the knitting half of this tiny boutique in Los Feliz, where you'll find gorgeous blouse-dresses aplenty, plus select Anzevino and Florence pickings.
Sirens and Sailors
1104 Mohawk St. , Los AngelesThink one-of-a-kind flouncy dresses, wood-carved accessories and up-to-the-minute high-waisted carrot-leg jeans, all in a converted craftsman off Sunset in Echo Park. The opening hours can vary depending on the whims of the proprietors (which makes us love them even more, of course).
St. Vincent De Paul
210 N. Avenue 21, Los AngelesAnyone with enough cash can appropriate the indie look while browsing the rails at air-conditioned boutiques on 3rd Street, but only once you've taken on the sprawling thrift empire that is St. Vincent de Paul can you truly call yourself an independent shopping pro. Try to ignore the screaming kids running loose and banging wildly on out-of-tune pianos, and you'll find amazing deals at this huge warehouse of next-to-new furniture, clothing, housewares and just about everything else you can imagine.
