From the moment she opened her eponymous Pacific Palisades boutique in 1999, Elyse Walker’s name has been synonymous with beautifully curated—and breezily cool—clothing and accessories. Since then, she’s expanded in a major way, and now boasts seven California shops, two soon-to-open NYC boutiques, recently launched e-commerce and much more. Here, the reigning queen of retail—who still values a personal connection to each and every customer—shares what’s going on in her well-dressed world.
PHOTO BY AMBER CANTERBURY FOR ELYSEWALKER
You’ve been an anchor in the retail world here in California for such a long time, and are expanding when so many stores are closing for good. Why do you think elysewalker resonates and continues to grow? We value each and every one of our clients. Whether you are shopping in one of our stores or at elysewalker.com, our clients continue to shop at elysewalker because they know that they will get a highly curated selection of clothing and [get to] work with stylists that know how to style for their individual lifestyle. I always focus on our goal and block out all the rest, so when, five years ago, everyone said brick-and-mortar was dead, I focused on what we do best. I believe that customers like to touch and feel the merchandise, and we feel like we are in a great position to offer both the in-store and the digital experience.
Even though you’ve lived on the West Coast for a long time, you’re a New York gal, having grown up there and worked in your family’s shoe business from a young age. Now, you’re opening two stores in NYC, which is amazing! How does it feel to “come home,” in a sense? I am so excited! I was born and raised in Scarsdale, N.Y. I grew up and went to college in the city, so to open two stores in New York City—our East Coast flagship on the Upper East Side and another location in Tribeca—is a dream. I opened my first store (Capretto) in 1987 just a few blocks from where we will be opening the Madison Avenue location, so this feels like bit of a homecoming for me.
Your team does such a great job getting to know customers and curating wonderful looks for them. How will this extend into the new jewelry concierge service and what new lines will you be introducing this fall? To me, jewelry isn’t just something sparkly, it’s a memory, a connection to someone special, and, in many ways, it becomes a part of you. At elysewalker, we pride ourselves on our level of personalized service and head-to-toe styling. It was only natural that we offer a jewelry concierge service that provides our clients the same level of service. Our concierge is built to help our clients style jewelry just like we do with their clothes and will assist customers for all jewelry purchases including customization, bespoke, sourcing and sizing. Customers are constantly seeking unique pieces and customization, and most of the jewelry on elysewalker.com and in our stores can be customized through the concierge service: From enamel color to stones to metal colors or engraving, the sky’s the limit on what can be created. We are so excited to be adding Brent Neale to our vendor matrix this fall. Her one-of-a-kind designs are both whimsical and timeless. We also love the new collections by Emily P Wheeler, Sorellina and Melissa Kaye.
How would you describe your own style, and what looks and pieces are you excited to wear this fall? I would describe my style as eclectic and emotional but always comfortable. I am still a tomboy at heart! I am always excited for Celine, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Gabriela Hearst, and this fall with are adding Peter Do and A.W.A.K.E. MODE to our stores and think our clients will love both [brands]. I’m personally loving a few trends including what we are calling ‘wearable art.’ I love art and am obsessed with the Stella McCartney x Frank Stella collaboration. I also think velvet is going to be huge this fall, so suiting by Dries Van Noten and Etro will be a must-buy for me.
Some might say you’ve reached the pinnacle of your career, but, knowing you, I bet there’s more to come. Can you clue us in on any future plans? We are all really excited about the future of elysewalker. We started in 2020 with six stores in California, and here we are in 2022 with nine stores on both coasts and a brand-new website. I love people and I love products, [and] although most of my days are spent in the office, one of my favorite places—and where you’ll find me on a Saturday (my day off)—is in a dressing room at one of our stores helping our team style. I love the entire process, from the buy to the product arriving to the stockroom to being styled on the floor and ultimately ending up in our clients’ closets! elysewalker.com
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