Part two of Los Angeles; Venice Beach/ Abbott Kinney is becoming LA's answer to Manhattan's West Village. Tons of boutiques, cafes and restaurants are opening to accommodate the fashion and social urges of the new population that has taken over every square foot of the zone
Here are a few that a true fashionista shouldn't miss:
Guild 1335 1/2 Abbot Kinney Blvd
I felt like i was in a Parisian boutique in the Marais zone of Paris; the interior is large, comfortable and definitely as inspirational as the designers they stock: Haidar Ackerman, Rick Owens,VPL,Alexander Wang, LD Tuttle shoes ( yes Oak in Manhattan stocks those as well),Dark Shadow, Label Under Construction and Cire Trudon Candles. The owner Christopher Rosen and his staff have an authentic sense of fashion and make it so comfortable to shop!! My friend and i literally walked in off the beach in our t-shirts and track pants looks and they were so unpretentious and fun to chat to...treated us as though we were dressed in head to toe Rick Owens. Guild stocks mens and women's clothing and accessories that will match a shopping trip to OAk :)
Madley 1227 Abbot Kinney Blvd
LA based knitwear and jewelry designer Coryn Madley has one of the most whimsical and girlie boutiques i've ever experienced; she curates vintage fashion, buys local vintage inspired designers and designs her own one off knit wear and jewelry. Her whimsical, eclectic, super feminine boutique that is decorated with the awesome Kimme Buzzelli art work inspires one to enter with a tray of homemade cupcakes and a pot of tea to carefully check out every single display, shelf, corner, rack.
Madley's amazing knit wear is sometimes too hidden in between the collectors vintage clothing, but ask them to point it out and start collecting, as well as her jewelry..a boutique for all ages and for the die hard vintage collector.
Mona Moore 1112 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Heel and shoe collector's dream! Mona Moore started in Montreal and now has a gorgeous boutique in Venice beach, Belgium designers in an urban beach zone? got to love it! Lanvin, Marni, Rodarte, Dries Von Noten, Haider Ackerman,Anne Demeulmeester as well as a jewelry brand exclusive to this store; Blue Rough Diamonds by Yukio Sakata. They have same day messenger service for phone orders and all merchandise is available on their online store...currently she has deep sale discounts on boots worth collecting by: A. Demeulmeester, Pierre Hardy, Marni etc. Watch out for her spring Lanvin espardilles and her exclusive selection of Rodarte heels ( she will have the largest in La area). Might be a place to stop by before you visit Barney's shoe dept :)
