There’s no denying star-studded Los Angeles is one of the biggest style capitals of the world. Until the last few years, however, fashion here revolved mostly around the star names of New York and Europe. But recently L.A. has definitely come into its own as a breeding ground of serious designers, reigniting a huge new wave of boutiques. Trying to whittle down all the choices on boutique-heavy Montana Avenue and Third Street in Santa Monica, Brentwood’s San Vicente Boulevard, Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Mid-City’s Melrose Avenue and Third Street and Beverly Hills’ Rodeo Drive, Beverly Drive and Robertson Boulevard (not to mention the Valley’s Ventura Boulevard and Old Town Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard) is nearly an impossible task. But here are five undeniably haute favorites of the celebrity chic:
Hillary Rush
Between The Grove and San Vicente Boulevard, West Third Street offers a number of boutiques (and as many eatieries) that are among our best. Of them, the boutique of New York-bred fashion legacy Hillary Rush wins a lot of praise for it’s broad offerings of street smart but party-prepared pieces, spotlighting designers such as Alexander Wang, Kenneth Jay Lane, Tila March, and sought-after J Brand jeans.
Hillary Rush is located at 8222 W. Third St., 323.852.0088.
Tarina Tarantino
Though she’s quickly becoming an internationally known name you can still experience the pink-tressed L.A. designer’s inimitable Acid Alice, Pink Head, and Barbie glamchic accessories in the original boutique.
Tarina Tarantino is located at 7957 Melrose Ave., 323.651.5155.
Heist
On trend-setting Abbot Kinney in Venice, Heist offers an incomparable selection of new European designers (Isabel Marant, Vanessa Bruno, Faliero Sarti, Pedro Garcia) as well as Americans like Gary Graham and Rag & Bone. This is a place where you can truly create your own look.
Heist is located at 1104 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.450.6531.
Bleu
Among the LaBrea shops, Gabrielle Zuccaro’s Bleu wins many dedicated fans for strong customer service as well as a blend of internationally emerging designers—think Ya Ya, Development, Josh Goot—alongside big guns like Diane von Furstenberg and Anna Sui.
Bleu is located at 454 S. La Brea Ave., 323.939.2228.
Madison Gallery
Part of the Madison family, two-floor MG brings Zac Posen, Stella McCartney, Ossie Clark, Pucci and more to the Malibu Country Mart, where celebs from Cher to Kristin Cavallari have recently visited.
Madison Gallery is located in Malibu Country Mart at 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu, 310.317.8787.
