A shopping guide for anyone who’s ever read Us Weekly and thought, "Where’d she buy that?"
By Tara Tyson, Special to Metromix
Robertson Boulevard has come a
long way from its days as a quiet street for interior design offices and
antique shops. It's now The Place where young Hollywood
types are regularly photographed picking up this season’s must-have clothing items, and
you can get all the premium denim your closet can stand from no fewer than four
jean shops (True Religion, Paige, Adriano Goldschmied and the newest addition,
Seven for All Mankind). The short stretch of Robertson between Burton Way and Beverly
Boulevard is less than a third of a mile long, but its influence on Angelenos’
fashion habits is endless. From L.A.-based labels (American Apparel) to imports
from across the pond (Ted Baker), the street’s got all your fashion needs
covered—if you want to look good, that is.
A fave of celebutante shoppers like Paris, Nicole and pre- and post-rehab Lindsay, Kitson has spent the past six years as a leader on the Robertson shopping scene, offering everything from hoodies to hobo bags. But the boutique’s chic stash doesn’t end with apparel and accessories: There are clever cards, smell-o-riffic candles and CDs to be pored over as well. Check out Kitson Kids for hip threads for the young'uns, and Kitson Men down the block for—you guessed it—men’s stuff.
One of the first stores that made Robertson a destination shopping street, Lisa Kline has been in the cute-clothes biz for over a decade. Although it’s known for catering to its famous patrons (the staff draws the shades when the paparazzi outside get too pesky), the boutique’s must-have accessories and printed tees appeal to A-listers and no-listers alike. And now the guys can get in on the act with the recently opened Lisa Kline Men.
We Are the Superlative Conspiracy has cornered Robertson’s market on providing anything a hip, revolutionary may need: graphic sweaters, denim jackets, knitted beanies. Carrying both girls’ and guys' clothes, the store’s sparsely decorated interior—think of a warehouse that plays cool music and displays a giant photo of Jason Lee—belies its chock-full racks of rad streetwear.
Much like the line itself, the Robertson incarnation of Tory Burch is warm, intimate and inviting. There are plenty of patterned tunics and bold-colored cardigans to check out, and of course Burch’s shoes, with that famous gold logo on nearly every pair.
Think pants, pants and more pants. Although Alice & Olivia’s specialty over the past five years has been below the waist, the line’s cashmere is worth giving a whirl as well. The Robertson outpost also offers a little sweet treat for your trouble, selling cavity-inducing goodies from Dylan’s Candy Bar.
As feminine and playful in its decor as the line is in its design, the flagship Nanette Lepore store is a magnet for women who like to look edgy and frilly at the same time (picture it: black velvet with ruffles and flower accessories). If you can’t stand the temptation, but your bank account can’t withstand the trauma, rumor has it the store's occasional sales are well worth the wait.
Crumpets and punk rock aren’t the U.K.’s only worthwhile exports. Check out Reiss and you’ll see what we mean. The British chain opened their L.A. store in spring 2007, a two-story temple of sleek pieces for both genders, from groovy handbags to chic belts to capes that bring out the Brit in us all.
Vionnet’s focus on lingerie, jewelry and little-known designers makes it feel like you’ve just uncovered a major fashion secret every time you go. If you’re into delayed gratification, hang on for the end-of-season sales, in collaboration with Melrose Place’s Delia, at the shop's corporate headquarters on San Vicente Blvd.
Curve is that boutique that separates the novice Robertson shopper from the old hand. While the amateurs may pace outside the store’s street-front window, gazing amorously at the racks of Alice Roi and Bella Freud, the more experienced fashionistas know it’s even more satisfying to dive right in to the store’s unique but uniformly conceived collection of apparel, jewelry and handbags.
Although it’s known for its fancy footwear, Diavolina also carries a wide selection of cute party dresses, cool jeans and fashion-forward blouses. It’s hard not to get lost in the sea of delectable shoes at the front of the store, but press on through to the back and check out the sale items too.
From bridal dresses to ball gowns, the style at Les Habitudes radiates fairy-tale elegance, right down to the building’s castle-like exterior. Even if you’re just browsing, we doubt you’ll be able to resist at least trying on the bejeweled tiaras and bridal shoes. Now if only they also supplied the groom…
It’s a little-known fact that Spain is a prime place for funky footwear, but thanks to Camper you don’t have to use your frequent-flyer miles to stock up. The Spanish shoe company opened its Robertson store in 2003 and has been keeping L.A.’s in-the-know men, women and children well heeled ever since.
The understated aesthetic at the Anya Hindmarch boutique parallels the sophisticated but quiet glamor of her shoe and handbag collections, popular with the celeb set and anyone else who finds joy in accessorizing (and who doesn’t?). In 2007, Hindmarch scored points with environmentally interested fashion plates as well, launching her “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” line of tote bags that can be used in place of, yes, plastic bags.
OK, so it’s actually on Beverly Blvd. at the corner of Robertson, but geography is just a technicality where fashion is concerned. The ivy-covered boutique is one of only three McCartney shops around the globe, tastefully minimalist in interior decor but indulgently decadent in supply of boldly colored blouses and baggy (but never saggy) frocks.
