West Hollywood is arguably LA’s sexiest neighborhood, filled with pretty young things and cocktail bars—and some equally seductive shopping. The biggest concentration of boutiques is on Sunset Plaza and Melrose west of Sweetzer, where heavy hitters like Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen share street space with a bevy of indie boutiques. Just like a lust-fuelled night at the Chateau, West Hollywood shopping doesn’t come cheap, but whatever you find is sure to spark envy in those around you—which, in our opinion, is totally worth the investment.
Stepping out: West Hollywood
Shopping along L.A.'s trendiest drag
By Erin Magner, Special to Metromix
July 2, 2008
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Brick and Mortar
8713 Santa Monica Blvd. - West Hollywood310-652-6605
Hidden amongst the smoothie shops and mega-gyms of Santa Monica Boulevard is Brick and Mortar, a men’s lifestyle shop and art gallery. It literally houses everything a guy could ever need: tobacco-leaf scented candles by Botanicus, graphic tees and jewelry by local designers like Ames Bros and Jeff Paice, Brown Label jeans and skull-patterned dinnerware and real, working fireplaces. A partnership with San Francisco’s Lost Art Salon provides works from the 1960s and prior.
Shiq
9003 Melrose Ave. - West Hollywood310-858-9003
A longtime fashion industry veteran, Jessica Simmons has always felt like a New Yorker trapped in an Angeleno’s body. In an effort to bring the East Coast’s edgy styling and individuality to the ultra-casual LA scene, she launched Shiq in October 2007. Guests looking to lift their wardrobes out of mediocrity can choose from mock-croc spats, the Berlin-meets-Miami sensibility of Project Runway runner-up Uli Herzner, or statement necklaces by Anna Herrington designed exclusively for the boutique.
Makeup Mandy
9005 Melrose Ave. - West Hollywood310-858-1970
If you’re a bride-to-be—or just want lusher lashes—Hollywood beauty maven Amanda Jacobellis is the lady to see. Her studio specializes in eyelash extensions, but also offers a full menu of airbrush tanning, facials, waxing, hair styling and makeup application for big events. If you prefer a more DIY approach to pampering, Makeup Mandy also stocks a wide range of cult beauty products, like Freeze 24/7 face creams and Bloom cosmetics.
Sienna
8908 Melrose Ave. - Los Angeles310-550-8355
Walking into Sienna is like stepping into a remote Northern cottage, complete with soft lighting, cozy exposed wood beams, Joni Mitchell on the stereo and a steadfast companion—in this case, a loveable Bernese Mountain Dog named Blue. This is the place to come for a foolproof first date outfit, where you can choose from subtly romantic pieces by Rory Beca, Tibi, Karen Zambos and Jenny Han, among others.
Seaton
8920 Melrose Ave. - Los Angeles310-550-1232
Forget those flimsy chiffon cover-ups—Seaton knows what real people want to wear to the beach. Perfectly faded sweatshirts, seahorse-print tees and canvas shorts come in a rainbow of sorbet-inspired colors, but we’re mostly obsessing over the nautical striped cashmere cardigans and wraps.
Alpha Gear for Gents
8625 Melrose Ave. - West Hollywood310-855-0775
Thanks to Alpha, discerning dads and gadget-freak boyfriends will never have to endure another birthday letdown. Christos Garkinos (of Decades vintage fame) and Darren Gold (founder of Mhope clothing) have created a men’s lifestyle emporium of the hippest order, featuring things like boombox-shaped iPod speakers and Fisheye cameras. For the guy who literally does have everything, Garkinos and Gold also offer a menu of experiential gifts, from private wine tastings to specially commissioned portraits.
Coco de Mer
8618 Melrose Ave. - West Hollywood310-652-0311
Coco de Mer is West Hollywood in boutique form—the perfect storm of sex, subversion, and high luxury. This location is one of only two in the world, and it’s more like a museum than an erotic boutique. Not only are the shop’s wares couture-quality—think glass, jade and pearl sex toys, fine leather eye masks, and ‘Chai Spice’ scented massage oil—but founders Sam and Justine Roddick are totally committed to educating their customers through a regular series of instructional salons. Peepshow-style changing rooms and a sexy confession booth add to the titillation.
Jenni Kayne
614 N. Almont Dr. - West Hollywood310-860-0123
Jenni Kayne is one of those rare designers whose clothes seem edgy, yet totally effortless at the same time. Her flagship boutique is just as comfortably cool, featuring her complete womenswear and shoe collections, an impressive selection of antique costume jewelry, art books, and baby clothes by Makie—not to mention the loveliest salespeople this side of the 405.
Steven Alan - West Hollywood
638 N. Robertson Blvd. -
West Hollywood
310-854-1814
Over the past few months, Steven Alan’s LA empire has expanded to three locations, but its first outpost on Robertson will always hold a special place in our hearts. It’s filled with those classic pieces you’ll wear forever—perfect button down shirts in an endless array of colors and patterns, chinos for the guys and simple cotton dresses for the girls. This location also carries vintage sunglasses and Rolexes, plus Foley + Corinna bags and The Generic Man sneakers.
HLNR
474 N. Robertson Blvd. - West Hollywood310-652-0064
Lorenzo Hadar is basically The Godfather of LA retail. Not only are his first three shops—H Lorenzo, H Man and H Shoes—stalwarts of the WeHo retail scene, but he’s also responsible for the most buzzed-about store opening of the year, HLNR. One of the world’s first eco-concept retailers, the shop boasts nifty features like automated window screens made from a pasta-drying apparatus to display cases crafted from recycled fixture packaging. Only about 25% of the labels are equally green at the moment, but they’re still an impressive bunch—think Raf Simons, Viktor & Rolf and Balmain, among many others.
Tracey Ross - Closed
8595 W Sunset Blvd. - West Hollywood310-854-1996
There’s a reason why everyone knows the name Tracey Ross—the Sunset Plaza anchor is home to a deliciously eclectic range of emerging designers, like Mayle, Lerario Beatriz, and the Olsen twins’ Elizabeth and James. We’d like to give special thanks to the salesgirl who was ‘working’ during our visit—if it weren’t for her urgent need to recap the ‘Living Lohan’ premiere on her cell phone while completely disregarding every customer in the store, we wouldn’t be able to pay our rent this month.
KIN
8555 Sunset Blvd. - West Hollywood310-360-1444
Even the strip malls in WeHo are glam—for proof, look no further than Kin. The all-in-one boutique and art gallery is housed in a much more humble plaza than the neighboring Sunset, but its goods are far more interesting. Ladies will find Anzevino and Florence, Rojas, Daryl K, Vivienne Westwood and Petro Zillia, while the boys can choose from local designers like Orthodox and Modern Amusement. Co-owners Darrel Adams and Alexandre Mouracade are infectiously energetic, and are quick to provide that all-important male opinion on what makes you look hottest.
