From a design-minded gluten-free bakery in Santa Monica to fabulous frocks on Melrose Place, the City of Angels’ latest launches will satisfy every whim. Here are four of the best things to do in Los Angeles this weekend.
MODERN ROMANCE
When it comes to bows, flowers, ribbons and chintz, is too much ever enough? Not so for everyone’s favorite haute bohemian label, LoveShackFancy, that just opened a gloriously girly retail destination on Melrose Place. “The store is the absolute epitome of romance and decadence for me,” says founder Rebecca Hessel Cohen. “We took inspiration from The Beverly Hills Hotel and married that with touches from our beloved César Suite at the Ritz, where we host our Paris Fashion Week presentations.” Inside, delicate tops, skirts, dresses and loungewear mingle with a melange of home goods and accessories, including vintage quilts and Nick Fouquet hats. The back of the store—which carries the brand’s entire bridal collection, handselected vintage gowns and more—can be closed off for private appointments. “It’s a dreamy old Hollywood boudoir space mixed with old English beautiful chintz florals and prints,” Hessel Cohen explains. “We added the most divine elements to create this layered, textured, exquisite environment, which feels like it has been there forever.” West Hollywood, loveshackfancy.com –LEJ
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Forty-five years ago, the Charlier family’s gluten-free lifestyle journey began. Now, for the first time, you can taste the perfected artisan breads and baked goods at their Santa Monica bakery-cafe, Breadblok. Designed by L.A.-based Commune Design, the family-run shop features a design that’s equal parts SoCal and Provence, where the family has roots. Raw, natural materials flood the self-dubbed “bespoke farmers market stand” for a design concept that reflects the tradition and pure ingredients of the baked goods. Now offering takeout and delivery, there’s no reason you can’t get a taste of the good—and good-for-you—breads and pastries, and reap all of the benefits that come alongside. Santa Monica, breadblok.com –CH
REFINED DINING
Like most, L.A.- born Natasha Baradaran was forced to pivot during quarantine, adapting her creative mind to our new normal, especially as it related to the extended time spent at home. “A bright side to spending more time at home has been the quality time with my family,” says the namesake interior design firm founder, whose rekindled love of curating tablescapes for family dinners inspired her to design a special line of linens. Launched in July, the direct-to-consumer collection—and her first e-commerce product line—boasts tablecloths, place mats and napkins adorned with intricate patterns and details to upgrade any dinner table. Adds Baradaran: “Who would have thought it would take a quarantine to remind me how much I love setting a table?” natashabaradaran.com –CH
GEM DANDY
“Fine jewelry is such an intimate purchase, so I wanted to create an intimate retail experience for our clients,” shares founder Grace Lee of her debut flagship set to open this fall in Venice. Personally designed by Lee, the petite 500-square-foot retail space is an extension of her eponymous jewelry line: minimalistic design notes met with meaningful details. Divided into two sections via folding glass doors, the storefront houses the brands’ haute collection pieces—think cult-favorite rings from the Demi line and delicate gold and diamond bracelets—on one side; while the adjacent area serves as a private consultation room for any custom client needs. One step inside and you’ll find all of the arm candy you could ever need. Venice, gracelee.com –CH
Photography by: Rady Valashinas/Courtesy of LoveShackFancy; Laure Joliet; Stephen Buske; Nerea Robles
